WA Feed in Tariffs
04/04/12 11:27 Filed in:
Alternative EnergyAwesome WA PV FIT’s coming!
Solar feed in tariff for Western Australia from the Horizon website. With these kind of feed-ins, it is a viable option to buy a quality solar set up and get good returns!
April 4, 2012
In a great news story for PV, Western Australia’s Horizon Power announced recently that they are introducing one of Australia’s most forward thinking FIT programs for PV from July 1st 2012.
The program has two crucial new elements that have long been sought by the PV – and in some cases electricity - industry’s.
The first is a Geographic valuation for exported energy. In simple terms, depending on the need for exported PV energy in specified locations, you will be paid an amount that either incentivises or de-incentivises the installation of PV.
For example in 14 different locations in Horizon power’s area, you may be eligible for up to $0.50c/kWh for exported PV energy. Conversely, in area’s where there is less demand for PV energy the rates are as low as $0.10c kWh. A full table of the available locations and rates for residential homes is available here and for Commercial premises here.
The second crucial factor is around an issue Horizon Power have termed the “Hosting Capacity”. The hosting capacity rule sets a limit on the total amount of renewable energy that a given network area can accept before the risk of disrupting supply quality becomes an issue.
All customers have access to the first 80 per cent of renewable energy Hosting Capacity in a town. With a few exceptions, all customers can apply to connect up to 5 kW. You can read more about the Hosting Capacity issue here.
As always, the terms and conditions, duration, system size limits and fine print need to be considered but on face value this looks like a ground breaking “Fair Price” for solar that balances the needs of the community, PV owners and the utility.
This program is truly revolutionary for Australia and we commend Horizon Power for taking this bold step and establishing policies which fairly value PV and incentivise it in desirable locations.
I also consider this policy to be a wake up call – and slap in the face – to all the other utilities and regulatory bodies have repeatedly said “it’s too hard to measure PV’s benefit in geographic areas”, NSW’s IPART being a recent case in point.
Sure, the network, generation and population profiles are different but what Horizon Power have done is demonstrate that it is possible, it obviously has value for them and PV has a massive role to play.
Awesome!Tags: solar, tariffs, rebate, electricity