Despite previous assurances that the program was ‘safe’, the Queensland government has announced that the state’s generous Solar Bonus Feed-in Tariff scheme will be reduced to 8c per kilowatt hour (kWh) from its current 44c/kWh rate for those who submit their applications to connect after 9 July 2012. Proceed direct online from your Solar Quote Comparison to ensure access to the 44c/kWh rate.
What to do to ensure you get the 44c Queensland Solar Bonus Feed-in Tariff rate before it is reduced
It’s vital that you allow significant time for your selected installer to prepare the necessary paperwork, particularly given the current rush, so we advise that you generate your installation contract without delay by following the three easy steps below
1. Read the Terms and Conditions of the installer offering that best suits your needs and budget by clicking “View Final Quote” from the online version of the Quote Comparison;
2. Once you’re ready to proceed, simply click “Accept Quote” and nominate how you wish to pay your deposit. Many installers have set very low deposits of as little as $100 to help you proceed with minimal exposure following last night’s announcement;
3. You will then be immediately emailed a pdf of your Accepted Quote, as well as account details of your selected installer if paying the deposit by Electronic Funds Transfer. Your selected installer and Solar Choice will also immediately receive this Accepted Quote.
Your selected installer will promptly contact you to start preparing your grid connection application, which must be lodged by midnight 9 July.
Although systems do not have to be installed by the 9 July deadline, those who wish to receive the 44c/kWh rate must lodge their applications to connect by midnight, 9 July 2012. Applicants who meet the 9 July application deadline must have their system installed by 30 June 2013 in order to ensure access to the 44c/kWh rate.
(Still haven’t decided on an installer? Request a free, instant, and impartial Solar Quote Comparison in your area of Queensland by filling out the form to the right of this page.)
The below is from the Queensland government’s Clean Energy website:
Prospective customers wishing to access the 44 cent feed-in tariff rate have until midnight on 9 July 2012 to lodge an application with their electricity distributor. The distributor will consider all applications against Scheme eligibility criteria and their technical, safety and quality requirements.
The 8 cent tariff will begin on 10 July 2012 and be reviewed by 1 July 2013. It is scheduled to end on 1 July 2014.
Queensland Solar Bonus scheme eligibility criteria for solar PV systems
To be eligible for the Solar Bonus at the 44 cent rate, customers must:
-Have lodged a complete network connection application with an electricity distributor before midnight 9 July 2012;
-Have their approved energy system inverter installed by 30 June 2013;
-Purchase and install a new solar PV system or operate an existing system that is connected to the Queensland electricity grid with inverter capacity not exceeding 5 kilowatts;
-Consume less than 100 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity a year (the average home uses approximately 7.2MWh a year);
-Hold an electricity account with an electricity retailer;
-Only submit one application per premise.
After 9 July 2012, to be eligible for the Solar Bonus at the 8 cent rate, customers must:
-Purchase and install a new solar PV system or operate an existing system that is connected to the Queensland electricity grid with inverter capacity not exceeding 5 kilowatts.
– Consume less than 100 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity a year (the average home uses approximately 7.2MWh a year)
– Hold an electricity account with an electricity retailer.
– Have a connection agreement in place with an electricity distributor.
– Only submit one application per premise.
Further information: Changes to the Solar Bonus Scheme (pdf)
© 2012 Solar Choice Pty Ltd
He is now the communications manager for energy technology startup SwitchDin, but remains an occasional contributor to the Solar Choice blog.
James lives in Newcastle in a house with a weird solar system.
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