Solar Citizens, a “people-powered movement bringing together millions of solar owners and supporters to grow and protect solar in Australia”, has penned an article calling for a fair price for solar, advising that a reasonable cost is between 10-18c/kWh for PV rooftop solar feeding back into the grid via an FiT (feed-in tariff). Today we’ll take a look at what Solar Citizens think is a fair range for those helping shore up the grid and which states are coming to the table with regards to this range.
About Solar Citizens
The report, entitled “A fair price for rooftop solar“, is part of the “fair value for distributed generation project” created by Solar Citizens. Solar Citizens are, as per their website, an ‘independent, community-based organisation bringing together millions of solar owners and supporters to grow and protect solar in Australia’.
The report delves into detail about the current FiT situation in Australia (it’s currently set state to state) and notes that the total ‘value’ per kWh should be anywhere from 10.6-18.2c. This is as a direct result of the wholesale price of electricity skyrocketing over the past 18 months and, although FiTs have increased as a result, many states aren’t reaching the 10.6c/kWh mark or are only just there.
Solar Feed-In Tariff State Comparison
On January 1, 2017, many Solar Bonus Schemes ended and feed-in tariffs were substantially affected for those not on a grandfathered plan. What does this mean for the future of solar power in Australia? You can read an article on the Solar Citizens website entitled ‘Life After Feed-In Tariffs‘ which is very helpful.
Additionally, there have been myriad changes in July 2017 as the retailers update their pricing – while we’ll try to keep this list updated please double check with the retailers to get their most recent pricing options.
Regional Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania have regulated minimum tariffs – see those prices below and then we’ll compare them with the ‘market-set’ tariffs to see if the system is working. All prices are ex GST unless noted.
Regional Queensland
- For the 2016-17 year, the regional feed-in tariff was 7.448 cents per kilowatt hour.
- For the 2017-18 year, the regional feed-in tariff is 10.102 cents per kilowatt hour.
Victoria
- For the 2016-17 year, the Victorian feed-in tariff was 5.0 cents per kilowatt hour.
- For the 2017-18 year, the Victorian feed-in tariff is 11.3 cents per kilowatt hour.
Tasmania
- For the 2016-17 year, the regional feed-in tariff was 6.671 cents per kilowatt hour.
- For the 2017-18 year, the regional feed-in tariff is 8.929 cents per kilowatt hour.
South Australia, New South Wales, The Australian Capital Territory and South-East Queensland don’t currently have a regulated FiT; the government and regulators argue that the market will dictate these terms. Let’s have a look at how well it’s working:
South Australia
- AGL offer 16.3c cents (ex GST) per kilowatt hour.
- Lumo Energy offer 16 cents per kilowatt hour.
- Momentum Energy offer 6.8 cents per kilowatt hour.
- Power Direct offer 6.8 cents per kilowatt hour.
- Energy Australia offer 15.0 cents per kilowatt hour.
New South Wales
IPART (Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal) advised in June 2017 that a ‘fair and reasonable’ value is between 11.9 – 15c / kWh.
- AGL offer 11.1c cents per kilowatt hour.
- Lumo Energy offer 11.1 cents per kilowatt hour (effective July 25, 2017).
- Energy Australia offer 12.5 cents per kilowatt hour.
ACT
- Origin Energy offer between 9.0 and 17.0 cents per kilowatt hour.
- Energy Australia offer 15.0 cents per kilowatt hour.
- ActewAGL offer 11.0 cents per kilowatt hour.
- Powerdirect offer 6.1 cents per kilowatt hour.
South-East Queensland
- AGL offer 10.6c cents (ex GST) per kilowatt hour.
- Energy Australia offer 11.0 cents per kilowatt hour.
- Ergon Energy offer 10.102 cents per kilowatt hour.
How to compare Feed-In Tariffs
The Australian Government have created a website, Energy Made Easy, where you’re able to compare energy offers from gas and electricity retailers. Click here to visit.
Do you have any information or questions about FiTs or do any of our prices need updating? Please leave a comment below and we’ll fix it up.
Want to shop around and don’t want to use the Energy Made Easy website? Here’s a list of the Energy retailers in Australia and their phone numbers:
Energy Retailer Phone Numbers |
|
| ActewAGL | 131 293 |
| AGL | 131 245 |
| Alinta Energy | 133 702 |
| Aurora Energy | 1300 132 003 |
| BlueNRG | 1300 599 888 |
| Click Energy | 1800 775 929 |
| CovaU | 1300 026 828 |
| Diamond Energy | 1300 838 009 |
| Dodo Power and Gas | 133 636 |
| EnergyAustralia | 133 466 |
| Energy Locals | 1300 693 637 |
| Ergon Energy | 131 046 |
| ERM Business Energy | 134 376 |
| Lumo Energy | 1300 115 866 |
| Momentum Energy | 1300 662 778 |
| Next Business Energy | 1300 466 398 |
| Origin Energy | 132 461 |
| Pacfic Hydro Retail | 1800 010 648 |
| Pooled Energy | 1300 364 703 |
| PowerDirect | 1300 307 996 |
| Powershop | 1800 462 668 |
| QEnergy | 1300 448 535 |
| Red Energy | 131 806 |
| Sanctuary Energy | 1800 109 099 |
| Simply Energy | 138 808 |
| WINenergy | 1300 791 970 |
