SA's solar feed-in scheme begins
1/7/2008

Today marks the commencement of South Australia’s solar feed-in scheme – the first of its type in the country.

 

Premier Mike Rann, who is also Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change, said the scheme pays people double the tariff for excess solar power they feed back into the grid.

 

“South Australian householders and small energy consumers using solar panels will be rewarded with a guaranteed credit of 44 cents for every unit of electricity (or kilowatt hour) they feed back into the grid, which could equate to a bonus of nearly $400 annually for the average household,” Mr Rann said.

 

“SA has about 40 per cent of the nation's grid connected solar panels, and five times the number of household installations of the next highest state.  (SA has 357 per 100,000 households.  Victoria has 73.)

 

“South Australia’s feed-in scheme is yet another example of South Australian leading the nation on tackling climate change, with other states now adopting many of our ground-breaking initiatives.”

 

“South Australia has 53 per cent of the nation’s installed wind power capacity and 80 per cent of the nation’s investment in geothermal energy.”

 

Premier Mike Rann has also welcomed today’s start of a single national reporting system for energy and greenhouse gas emissions.

 

For the first time, Australian companies will be legally obliged to report on their greenhouse gas emissions - through a national uniform reporting scheme.

 

Mr Rann said the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting System will streamline reporting obligations by providing a single, online entry point and a consistent system throughout Australia.

 

“This will reduce the amount of red-tape for companies, because corporations operating in several jurisdictions across the country will only have to report under one scheme,” Mr Rann said.

 

“The information is essential for Australia to meet its international reporting obligations, and will underpin the national emissions trading scheme.

 

“The quality of data available will assist companies to monitor their own performance and to develop greenhouse gas reduction and energy efficiency programs.

 

“I put Climate change on the Council of Australian Governments agenda in 2005.

 

“Then in 2006, I recommended a streamlined reporting system and worked hard to push for a single, national model that would allow each jurisdiction to make informed judgements about the actions necessary to tackle climate change.