A Solar PV
Feed In Tariff
For Canberra!
Media Statements by Mick
Gentleman MLA
Thursday, July
3, 2008
 Mick
Gentleman MLA has today successfully passed his much anticipated
private members bill the “Electricity Feed-in (Renewable Energy
Premium) Bill 2008 in the ACT Legislative Assembly.
A feed-in law
is a market mechanism that encourages the adoption of renewable
technology by paying people who generate their own electricity from
a renewable source (e.g. solar, wind). People, who generate electricity
from a renewable source and feed that electricity back into the
power grid, will be paid more than the market price for the power
that they generate.
“The Bill
states that the premium paid to those who generate renewable energy
will initially be set at 3.88 times the transitional franchise tariff
(TFT), and is guaranteed for a twenty year payment period,”
Mr Gentleman said.
“The TFT,
decided by the Independent Competition & Regulatory Commission
(ICRC) has recently been set at 15.3 c/kWh that is higher than the
previous domestic rate of 12.1 c/kWh.
“The passing
of the bill in the Assembly today contains the key fundamental elements
required for an increase in the uptake of renewable energy. This
is another crucial step forward in the Stanhope Labor Governments
commitment to tackling Climate Change.
“This
legislation will stand as an important building block ensuring a
stable foundation for the future development of the renewable energy
industry here in the ACT.
“I am
very pleased that my Government colleagues and the ACT community
have supported this Bill. It is a clear statement that this Labor
Government and the ACT community are committed to combating the
severe of climate change.”
Monday,
14 May 2007
Canberra:
Soon To Be The Solar Capital?
Known
for its large number of environmental enthusiasts, Canberra will
be a greener capital if a new proposal is adopted which will assist
people to generate their own electricity. Labor Member for Brindabella
Mick Gentleman has asked the Chief Minister and Minister for Environment
Jon Stanhope to consider including a ‘Feed- in Law’
as part of the ACT Labor Government’s renewed Climate Change
Strategy due to be released in coming weeks.
A Feed-in Law
is a market mechanism that encourages the adoption of solar technology
by paying people who generate their own electricity via solar cells
(Photovoltaic or PV). People who generate electricity from their
roof top and feed that electricity back into the grid are paid more
than the market price for the power that they generate.
“This
offsets the cost of installing the PV panels on the roof and encourages
people to generate clean energy,” he said.
“We are
currently investigating which would be the most appropriate model
for the ACT. The most successful model we have is the German one,
which has been in operation since 1991 and was amended in 2000.
In Germany, the rate is set at a higher level than current electricity
and is paid on each unit of the electricity generated by the consumers’
solar PV system. The premium paid to the generator falls every year
and is funded through a small levy on all electricity bills.
“The PV
industry in Germany has resulted in €6.8 billion being invested
in PV systems in that country since 1999 and is now employing 30,
000 people. The ACT will hopefully now get a slice of the solar
action.
“There’s
no doubt the increased use of PV panels would create jobs in trades
connected with installation such as the electrical and other building
trades. In future with adequate demand, we could even see a high-tech
PV manufacturer set-up in the ACT.
“I think
this exciting technology has the potential to provide Canberrans
with the opportunity to generate cost-effective clean energy, and
to protect Canberrans from electricity fluctuations caused by issues
such as water shortages.
“The
scientific evidence of climate change is indisputable. We all have
to act now, and the ACT must play its role in contributing to the
growing international and national response to climate change,”
Mr Gentleman said.
Note:
The updated Bill was passed bythe ACT Assembly
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