NSW Solar Bonus Scheme

Under the NSW Solar Bonus Scheme, ActewAGL will pay eligible customers for electricity generated by their eligible solar photovoltaic (PV) system or wind turbine which is in excess of the energy used for their own consumption.

    Note: Please check the current status of this scheme on the Industry and Investment NSW website.

Customers with eligible systems purchased or leased after 27 October 2010 will receive 20¢ per kilowatt hour. Customers who were receiving the previous rate of 60¢ per kilowatt hour will continue to receive this rate except where:

• they increase the size of their generator and connect it after 27 October 2010; or
• there is a change to the account holder (i.e., the person in respect of whom the credit is recorded for electricity produced by the generator, for example one tenant of a rental property to another) after 27 October 2010, in which case the customer will no longer be eligible to receive the 60¢ tariff rate, however they can still participate in the scheme at the 20¢ tariff rate providing they meet the eligibility criteria.

The scheme commenced on 1 January 2010 and will operate for seven years, subject to reviews by the NSW Government.
For more information on the changes, visit the Industry and Investment NSW website.

Who is eligible for the Solar Bonus scheme?

Customers with an annual electricity consumption of up to 160 megawatt hours (MWh) will be eligible to participate in the Solar Bonus scheme. This category includes households (which consume approximately 7.6 MWh per annum on average), as well as some small businesses, schools and community organisations. NSW electricity distributors will be able to provide further advice on eligibility.

What type of renewable energy generator can participate in the Solar Bonus scheme?

Only solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and wind turbines that connect to the electricity network through an inverter (up to 10 kilowatts in capacity) and that have a compliant gross meter installed can participate in the Solar Bonus scheme.

How is the Solar Bonus scheme tariff rate received?

ActewAGL will credit amounts payable to eligible customers under the Scheme against their electricity accounts.

Is GST payable on any payment made to eligible customers under the scheme?

The payments made to eligible customers by ActewAGL under the scheme are exclusive of GST, unless a customer is registered for GST in which case GST will be paid in addition to the payment at the same time and in the same manner as the payment. GST on the payment will be shown as a separate item on a customers electricity account. Customers must tell ActewAGL if they are registered for GST.

How do customers sign up to the scheme?

Customers must contact their NSW electricity distributor to sign up to the NSW Solar Bonus scheme.

Further information

To discuss connecting a solar or wind generator in NSW, customers should contact their NSW distribution business — Ausgrid, Endeavour Energy or Essential Energy.

More information on the scheme is available at the Industry and Investment NSW website.