Renewable Energy in South Australia
South Australia is leading the way in renewable energy.
On 2 June 2009, Premier Mike Rann announced plans to increase our State's renewable energy production target to 33% by 2020, well above the national target of 20% by 2020.
With less than 8% of Australia's population, South Australia has around 43% of the nation's wind capacity (at November 2009) and around 22% of the nation's grid connected solar photovoltaic capacity.
As part of its environmental commitments, the Federal Government is offering rebates to individuals who produce energy from renewable sources or displace energy usage from non-renewable sources.
What rebates and credits are available in South Australia?
Solar Credits Grid connected Solar Systems installed after 9th June 2009 are eligible for the Solar Credit scheme. The Solar Credit Scheme replaced the $8,000 dollar Rebate SCHC (Solar Homes and Community Program). Unlike the SCHC rebate the Solar Credit scheme is not means tested. This means families and businesses with incomes over $100,000 dollars are now eligible to access the generous rebate.
How does it work?
When purchasing a Grid connect solar System the Solar Credits scheme reduces the overall out of pocket expenses to you or alternately allows you to claim the solar credits to off set the price of the supply and installation of the system.
REC's what are they?
A renewable energy certificate (or REC) represents the value of 1Mwh of electricity and is calculated based on a 15 year system service life. The value of a REC is not fixed and varies due to market forces.
The Solar Credit scheme is based on REC's or renewable energy Certificates. A Grid connected PV system depending on its size and its ability to produce power will attract a number of REC's. The value of the REC is set by the Electricity market and varies from $30 to $40 dollars on average. To calculate the number of solar credits a system attracts we multiply the REC value by 3.
The table below show an approximate value of the Solar Credits that a consumer in Adelaide would receive on the installation of a Grid connected PV system.
| System Size in kW | Tot number Solar Credits For system |
Based on REC Value of $31 |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 61 | $1916 |
| 1.5 | 93 | $2883 |
| 2.0 | 103 | $3193 |
| 2.5 | 113 | $3503 |
| 3.0 | 124 | $3844 |
| 3.5 | 134 | $4154 |
| 4.0 | 144 | $4464 |
| 4.5 | $155 | $4805 |
| 5.0 | 165 | $5115 |
