Riddells Creek Sustainability Newsletter

The Labor Government’s feed-in tariff legislation was passed by the Victorian Parliament on 25 June 2009.

The government states that amendments were made “in response to input from responsible environment groups” which demonstrates that our combined efforts to contact politicians and build community support for a good feed-in tariff were successful.

Well done ATA, Environment Victoria, Climate Action Groups, Sustainability activists and everybody who spent time and considerable effort on this campaign.

The final structure of the Victorian feed-in tariff includes:

· 60 cents credit per kilowatt hour for energy fed back into the grid within that year. This is about four times the current cost of electricity in Victoria.

· The tariff is paid to residences, community organisations and small businesses with energy consumption less than 100 MWh a year

· An array size limit of 5kW applies

This outcome is a significant improvement on the feed-in tariff initially proposed by the government. Amendments introduced in the Upper House which improved the scheme include:

· extending participation to community organisations and small businesses with energy consumption less than 100 MWh a year (they were intially excluded)

· increasing the array size limit from 2kW to 5kW

Two electricity retailers have also provided letters which state they will provide cash or rollover credits for energy produced, rather than these credits “expiring” as was initially proposed.

The additional amendment put by the Greens for the tariff to be paid on the gross output (rather than the net output) was not accepted.

The tariff does not apply to large scale solar or wind either, so there is potential to further improve this legislation in the future.

On balance, this is a significant improvement over the legislation initially proposed.

I’m sure you have all heard the news that the $8,000 Solar Homes and Communities Plan rebate is now closed. 

Although not as generous, the solar credits programme which will replace the rebate allows customers previously excluded to participate i.e.:

- families with taxable income >$100k
- businesses
- wind energy

If you know of anyone who missed out on the rebate, Rezeko has a special offer for the first 1,000 customers of their new EKO Energy brand: $2,999.  This is a deal to consider given the rebate has dropped from $8,000 to $4 - $4,500 depending on where you live.  The system is a quality system with monocrystalline solar panels and a Sunnyboy 1100 inverter.

1.00 pm Saturday 13 June at the State Library of Victoria
Join the National Climate Emergency Rally for a safe climate future.
http://www.live.org.au/index.php/community-events/climate-rally

This is a very important announcement for solar power supporters in Victoria.

While we’ve been lobbying for a national gross feed in tariff via the petition at FeedInTariff.com.au, it will still be some time before that happens and a more urgent issue is at hand - the Victorian feed in tariff will be written into law soon.

In case you weren’t aware, the feed in tariff draft legislation outlines a program riddled with flaws, with little resemblance to any successful program run elsewhere.

No cash - just a time limited credit!

Under the Electricity Industry Amendment (Premium Solar Feed-in Tariff) Bill 2009, grid connect solar power system owners in Victoria will only receive 60c per kWh for surplus electricity generated and this will be applied as a time-limited credit, not a cash payment as is the case in other states. Any credit not used within 12 months of it being accrued will be wiped out.

The Victorian government is debating the crucial legislation right now. Your elected representatives need to know that the proposed legislation will not help stimulate the uptake of solar power or reduce energy consumption.

What can I do?
Contact your local MP, write to a newspaper or call talk-back radio!

Let your elected Member know you demand a fair feed in tariff that pays more in line with other states and territories such as the A.C.T. 

Contact details of the MP for your electorate can be viewed here.

Write to    donna.petrovich@parliament.vic.gov.au

and also send it to   gavin.jennings@parliament.vic.gov.au

and   john.lenders@parliament.vic.gov.au

The following is a basic phone script you can use, or adapt for use in an email or letter:

—–
“My name is [your name] from [your electorate]. I am [calling/writing] to urge support for a solar feed in tariff that works.
The purpose of a feed-in tariff is to:

- stimulate uptake of solar power

- reward personal investment in Australia’s energy future

- encourage energy efficiency

As it stands, the draft legislation will achieve exactly the opposite of what it should.

This is because:

- The tariff is a nett, not gross

- Solar credits are not payable as cash and are extinguished after a year

- The tariff is not available to business and community organisations

- The tariff is limited to 3.2kW systems, significantly below the regulatory standard of 10kW

Such a scheme will not reward personal investment in Australia’s energy future, nor encourage the uptake of solar power and will actively encourage high energy consumption, to use up credits before they are extinguished.

As a constituent, it is very important to me that the elected representative for my area supports a proper feed in tariff. Thank you.”
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Time is of the essence - please contact your local member or media outlet today and be sure to let other solar power supporters you know to do the same!

Thank you again for your continued support and interest in this important area of policy. We are greatly encouraged that so many Australians have lent their voices to this call for a better, more liveable world.  

The Feed In Tariff Team

Feed In Tariff Petition Initiative
An Energy Matters Community Initiative

The Riddells Creek 2 Solar Neighbourhood is now closed.  We are unable to take any more people due to the timeframe of getting inspections, approvals and installations done.  The government rebate of $8000 closes in July this year and will be replaced by a solar credit scheme, which will be less of an incentive, but will not be means tested.  Anyone who did not take up  the solar neighbourhood offer because their combined household income is more than $100,00 a year, will be able to take advantage of the new scheme. 

Currently the last few installations of Riddells Creek 1 Solar Neighbourhood are being finished.  The inspections for the second neighbourhood are being finalised, and participants are encouraged to make haste in dealing with their paperwork.