The SA Government Feed-in tariff of 16c for solar systems has been phased out effective September 30, 2013. While there are still systems being installed that are eligible for the feed-in tariff, please note that these systems were approved for installation prior to September 30th and have strict guidelines that must be met to ensure they remain eligible.
All electricity retailers who contract with eligible solar customers are still required to provide the applicable minimum retailer payment to solar customers. This payment is currently 9.8c/kWh, but is under review for periods post January 2014. Some retailers may offer more than the minimum retailer payment to their customers. We advise that you speak to your chosen electricity retailer about the applicable payments they provide for solar power fed back into the grid.
Small-Scale Technology Certificates (formerly Renewable Energy Certificates)
Small-Scale Technology Certificates, or STCs, are a tradeable commodity attached to eligible installations of renewable energy systems such as solar panels. Under the Federal Government's Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme, when you install an eligible system, you may claim a set number of these STC's. This number is based on the amount of electricity in megawatt hours (MWh) generated by your solar panel system over the course of its lifetime of up to 15 years.
You can calculate the number of STC's claimable using the calculator on the Clean Energy Regulator website.
The value of STC's change according to market conditions. An STC can be traded for cash and the value of these certificates fluctuates according to market conditions. Basically, an STC is a form of renewable energy currency.
Owners of systems can claim STC's themselves by completing the appropriate application forms. However, this can be confusing and time consuming, so most people choose assigning their right to claim STC's to an agent, such as Bluestone Electrical Solutions. This means that the installer discounts the overall price by the value of the STC's and has the STC's assigned to them on completion of the installation. The installer then bears the brunt of any market fluctuations and also the wait that can occur for payment of STC's as it can take up to 3 months for money to be received. In some cases the installer wins on the price due to fluctuations, in other cases they lose.
At Bluestone Electrical Solutions, we calculate your discount in line with the industry standard at the time of quoting your system. Acceptance of the discounted quote price will be an agreement to sign the completed assignment form upon satisfactory installation of your solar system.
Should you wish to undertake the process yourself, feel free to talk to us about your options prior to us quoting your solar system.
PHONE: 1300 399 055 / EMAIL: INFO@BLUESTONEELECTRICAL.COM.AU
