9500 face cut-off on solar tariff

13 January 2012

ABOUT 9500 people, who have applied for the SA Government's solar scheme, may lose the 44c a kw/h offered. ETSA utilities said the customers would lose their eligibility for the higher amount and would only receive 16c per kw/h unless they booked an appointment for a photo-voltaic generator installation by the end of this month.

The solar power is used by the householder and any excess electricity is fed back into the grid.

ETSA credits that excess power to the householder's bill, leading to significant long-term savings.

A spokesman said customers would not need to have the system installed by the end of January but they would at least need an appointment date registered.

Customers need to ensure they, or their solar provider, lodges their application with enough time to enable their retailer and ETSA Utilities to process it before an appointment is made. 

No action is required from people with approvals to connect but who do not plan to proceed with the PV system installation.

Energy Minister Michael O'Brien introduced the tariff scheme to entice more people to use solar power to cut their electricity costs.

The scheme was launched in October and consumers had until the end of the year to register their intention to install a system. 

Story by Ken McGregor,
The Advertiser, 13 January 2012