Solar feed-in tariff extended to include medium-scale generation in the ACT

The ACT government has set an Australian first by passing legislation to allow for medium-scale solar installations to access the ACT’s feed-in tariff.

The Minister for Energy, Simon Corbell, said: “The passage of the Electricity Feed-in (Renewable Energy Premium) Act 2008 into law takes Canberra another step towards becoming Australia’s solar capital.

“This legislation is very important for two reasons; firstly to give the solar industry the certainty it needs to invest in medium- and large-scale generation, and to ensure the ongoing success of the feed-in tariff scheme into the future.

“We have already seen a high level of uptake in the ‘micro-generation’ category, with more than 3500 installations on roofs in the ACT, and I am confident that there will be similar enthusiasm from the wider community to embrace the scheme.

“The amendments will be instrumental in supporting the growth of renewable energies in the ACT and the resulting emission savings and economic opportunities.”

Key aspects to the amended feed-in tariff legislation include:

• Renaming the existing household component as ‘Micro-Generator’;
• Creating the ‘Medium-Generator’ and the ‘Community-Based-Generation’ categories;
• Introducing capacity caps for both new categories (15 MW each);
• Providing for a mechanism by which the Premium Price applicable to each category may be set and reviewed; and
• Extending scheme eligibility to include not-for-profit community organisations.

“These amendments will enable both individuals and community organisations greater access to the scheme and a greater ability to do their part in reaching our greenhouse gas emission targets,” Corbell continued. “With these amendments, individuals occupying rental or structurally unsuitable properties will be able to more easily participate and community groups can develop cooperatives to collectively develop shared generators.

“To support the development of cooperative generators, my department has developed the Solar Pays Community Guide. The guide provides information on the ‘what’ and ‘how’ of collective generators and will be an important and useful tool for community groups.

“The government will also introduce separate legislation later this year to support the development of even larger-scale facilities and will then follow this process with an auction for the first 40 MW tranche.

“The government will monitor closely the changes in market activity, and will respond accordingly to ensure that the clean economy continues to grow in the ACT.”