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From the category archives:

Feed-in tariff

Queensland Solar Bonus Update

June 9, 2010
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Launched in 2008, Queensland’s Solar Bonus Scheme encourages the expansion of clean energy by guaranteeing that homes and small businesses are paid a premium rate for surplus electricity generated by small-scale solar energy systems. The program was reviewed in April 2010, with the Queensland Government announcing that 36 megawatts of solar capacity had been connected [...]

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Feed-in Tariff Scheme announced by Western Australia

June 7, 2010
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The Western Australian government recently announced the implementation of a net Feed-in Tariff (FiT) to encourage the expansion of residential renewable energy systems. This new scheme is set to commence on 1 August 2010 with a premium FiT rate of 40 cents per Kilowatt-hour over the next ten years.

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Solar Power Update from Germany

April 16, 2010
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Solar Powered Germany : a shining example
 

The implementation and ongoing review of feed-in-tariff laws in Germany over the last 19 years has been hugely successful in encouraging solar PV installations.

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Australia’s Feed-in-Tariff debate

April 14, 2010
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To Feed-in or not to Feed-in: Encouraging renewable energy electricity production
The concept of a feed-in-tariff (FiT) has been around since the 70’s but it was only in the last decade we saw Germany pioneer its usage to dramatically increase electricity generation from solar PV.

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Solar Energy : UK FiT for action

April 10, 2010
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Solar Energy Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) for UK Households
At long last the clouds have parted and the UK has followed its European neighbours to announce a solar feed-in-tariff. The Clean Energy Cash back Scheme announced in February was launched on April 1 and will run for 25 years.  Householders will now be paid a rate of 41.3pkWh [...]

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ACT Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) Revision

March 28, 2010
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Important news for ACT customers only: Earlier this month a strategical recommendation was made by the Independent Competition and Regulatory Commission (ICRC in Canberra) that would directly affect the investment appetite for people who want to install solar energy panels on their roofs.

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Home energy consumption versus solar PV generation

February 16, 2010
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You may be wondering, if I install a 1.5kW solar PV system, how much energy will I be feeding back to the grid? This is an important question, especially if your state has a net feed-in tariff. The answer depends on two things – how much energy you produce, and how much you consume.

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Gross Metering Details for Energy Australia New South Wales

February 9, 2010
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There is a lot of discussion in the industry regarding exactly how the New South Wales Solar Bonus Scheme will affect properties meter boxes and connections with the grid. Solar Choice has done the preliminary research, and has an update for all NSW solar energy customers, especially those with Energy Australia.

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Solar trackers

January 21, 2010
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A good way to maximise the output of your solar PV system is to have it mounted on a solar tracker. Solar trackers can boost the electrical output of your PV system significantly, allowing you to earn more income from the feed-in tariff. However, as discussed in this article, the economics of solar trackers are [...]

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NSW feed-in tariff loophole to be closed

January 20, 2010
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A loophole in the NSW Solar Bonus Scheme (the states feed-in tariff) that allowed energy retailers to only offer credit instead of cash will be closed.
The NSW Energy Minister, John Robertson, said via a spokesman that ”if retailers are found to be acting unfairly we will not hesitate to introduce regulations to ensure consumers are protected.”

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Putting solar cells on your holiday home – a nice little earner

Thumbnail image for Putting solar cells on your holiday home – a nice little earner January 15, 2010

For those of you luck enough to own a holiday home you no doubt already know that renting it out to friends and the public is a great way to earn some extra money.
Now there’s another way to earn some extra money from your lovely little holiday shack – putting solar cells on it.

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What happens if my solar energy installation is slightly over the Feed in Tariff limit?

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So you’ve made the decision to install solar panels on you roof and would like to take full advantage of the Feed in Tariff’s available. How big can you make your system, and what are the limits for the Feed in Tariff?

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Which electricity retailer is giving the best solar feed in tariff?

December 11, 2009
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Solar energy feed in tariffs (where you’re paid for the solar energy you generate and feed back into the grid) exist in one form or another in all states of Australia, except WA and Tasmania. As the different electricity retailers scramble to attract customers some providers are offering rates higher then the minimum stipulated by their respective state governments. Below [...]

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NSW Gross Feed In Reward Scheme – install within the next few months to guarantee your inclusion in such a generous scheme

November 13, 2009

It’s all good news for NSW customers who’ve installed solar energy, or will install it within the next few months. The NSW Govt released draft legislation a few hours ago following the remarkable and highly generous announcement earlier this week of a Gross Feed In Tariff that is on par with that best in the [...]

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NSW Govt Announces Gross Feed In Reward Scheme

November 10, 2009

Wonderful news for NSW customers who will be going solar, or already have installed solar energy!
NSW Govt announced an hour ago that the new feed in reward scheme starting on 1 January 2010 would be far more generous than the net tariff announced earlier this year, and that a gross scheme will be introduced instead. [...]

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Victorian Feed-In Tariff Commences

November 2, 2009

After much deliberation the details of the Victorian feed-in reward rate have been announced, with a commencement date on the 1st of November, 2009. Official specifications for the reward rate fall much in line with what was expected, with one major condition; the model will only be eligible for the first 100 megawatts  (100,000 kilowatts) that [...]

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Victorian solar energy feed in tariff now capped at 3.2kW

March 13, 2009

Good news for those who’ve installed, or are thinking of installing, solar energy in Victoria.
On 11 March 2009 the Victorian Government announced that it’s 60c net feed in tariff would be capped at 3.2kW size systems, rather than the previously disclosed 2kW cap.

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