NSW Solar Bonus Scheme

Under the NSW Solar Bonus Scheme, ActewAGL will pay eligible customers a gross feed in tariff of $0.60 per kWh of electricity generated (flat rate) by their eligible solar photovoltaic (PV) system or wind turbine. The scheme commenced on 1 January 2010 and will operate for 7 years.

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. Customers with net-feed in generators that were connected prior to 1 January 2010 may be entitled to a net feed-in credit of $0.60 per kilowatt hour for electricity they supply up until 1 July 2010. Customers should contact their electricity distributor for more information.

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. The NSW electricity distributor will be either Country Energy, Energy Australia or Integral Energy.

Further information

To discuss connecting a solar or wind generator in NSW, customers should contact their NSW distribution business; either Country Energy, Energy Australia or Integral Energy.

More information on the scheme itself is available at this NSW Government weblink:
www.industry.nsw.gov.au/energy/sustainable/renewable/solar/solar-scheme/faq