Queenslanders receive cash incentive to tackle climate change
Published Tuesday, 11 March, 2008 at 02:28 PM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
The Bligh Government today announced a new scheme to pay Queensland households for solar electricity they generate and contribute to the electricity grid.
Premier Anna Bligh said from July 1 this year the Solar Bonus Scheme would pay households and business 44 cents for every kilowatt-hour generated from solar power systems at work and at home and fed into the grid.
“We want Queenslanders to cash in on our reputation as the Sunshine State,” Ms Bligh said.
“By providing this financial incentive we hope to encourage greater use of solar energy systems and boost our renewable energy market.
“Solar panel systems on a home often produce more power than a household requires.
“Under our scheme consumers will receive credits on their electricity bills for any additional power they generate through their solar systems and are able to contribute to the grid.”
Ms Bligh said it is estimated the Solar Credit Scheme or feed-in-tariff could save consumers more than 25% on their annual electricity bill depending on the energy efficiency of their home.
“It will put money back in family pockets,” Ms Bligh said.
“It will also provide an opportunity for households to play a direct role in tackling climate change.
“We already know Queenslanders are keen to play their part.
“We have received a staggering 5,230 expressions of interest in our new Solar Homes trial.
“We had to close registrations due to the unprecedented demand.
“However anyone with a solar power system will be eligible to participate in the Solar Bonus Scheme.”
The Minister for Mines and Energy Geoff Wilson Mr Geoff Wilson said the scheme would commence on July 1, 2008 and be guaranteed for twenty years.
“Currently different retailers pay different amounts for energy fed into the grid ranging from 14 cents per kilowatt-hour to 20 cents per kilowatt-hour,” Mr Wilson said.
“We have set the tariff at a higher amount of 44 cents – more than triple the market rate - to stimulate the solar energy market and encourage greater uptake by residents and businesses.”
Mr Wilson, said participating homes would have either an upgraded or second meter installed to measure energy being produced.
“Two meters – one to measure power coming in and one to measure power going out,” Mr Wilson said.
“The quarterly bill will show how much electricity a household has used and how much electricity has been fed into the grid.
“The customer will get 44 cents for every kilowatt hour they feed into the grid – it will be reflected as a reduction in their bill.
“If there is excess credit in a customer account at the end of each year, retailers will pay cash to that customer.”
Ms Bligh said the Solar Homes and Solar Bonus Schemes would make solar energy systems more accessible and affordable for Queenslanders.
“The upfront cost of a solar power system puts a lot of people off,” she said.
“We hope our Solar Homes trial will help play a part in driving down that cost and our Solar Bonus Scheme will then help offset the initial cost over time.”
Contact: Premier’s office 3224 4500
Minister’s office 3225 1819
Premier Anna Bligh said from July 1 this year the Solar Bonus Scheme would pay households and business 44 cents for every kilowatt-hour generated from solar power systems at work and at home and fed into the grid.
“We want Queenslanders to cash in on our reputation as the Sunshine State,” Ms Bligh said.
“By providing this financial incentive we hope to encourage greater use of solar energy systems and boost our renewable energy market.
“Solar panel systems on a home often produce more power than a household requires.
“Under our scheme consumers will receive credits on their electricity bills for any additional power they generate through their solar systems and are able to contribute to the grid.”
Ms Bligh said it is estimated the Solar Credit Scheme or feed-in-tariff could save consumers more than 25% on their annual electricity bill depending on the energy efficiency of their home.
“It will put money back in family pockets,” Ms Bligh said.
“It will also provide an opportunity for households to play a direct role in tackling climate change.
“We already know Queenslanders are keen to play their part.
“We have received a staggering 5,230 expressions of interest in our new Solar Homes trial.
“We had to close registrations due to the unprecedented demand.
“However anyone with a solar power system will be eligible to participate in the Solar Bonus Scheme.”
The Minister for Mines and Energy Geoff Wilson Mr Geoff Wilson said the scheme would commence on July 1, 2008 and be guaranteed for twenty years.
“Currently different retailers pay different amounts for energy fed into the grid ranging from 14 cents per kilowatt-hour to 20 cents per kilowatt-hour,” Mr Wilson said.
“We have set the tariff at a higher amount of 44 cents – more than triple the market rate - to stimulate the solar energy market and encourage greater uptake by residents and businesses.”
Mr Wilson, said participating homes would have either an upgraded or second meter installed to measure energy being produced.
“Two meters – one to measure power coming in and one to measure power going out,” Mr Wilson said.
“The quarterly bill will show how much electricity a household has used and how much electricity has been fed into the grid.
“The customer will get 44 cents for every kilowatt hour they feed into the grid – it will be reflected as a reduction in their bill.
“If there is excess credit in a customer account at the end of each year, retailers will pay cash to that customer.”
Ms Bligh said the Solar Homes and Solar Bonus Schemes would make solar energy systems more accessible and affordable for Queenslanders.
“The upfront cost of a solar power system puts a lot of people off,” she said.
“We hope our Solar Homes trial will help play a part in driving down that cost and our Solar Bonus Scheme will then help offset the initial cost over time.”
Contact: Premier’s office 3224 4500
Minister’s office 3225 1819