The Solar Bonus Scheme in NSW offered feed-in tariffs up to 60c/kWh for solar customers between 2010-2012. The scheme is ending on December 31, 2016. Eligible customers will continue receiving their feed-in tariff until then, after which they can access generally lower unsubsidized feed-in tariffs from energy retailers. It is recommended that customers investigate options like battery storage and switching to net metering before the end of the year in order to maximize the benefits from their renewable energy system once the higher subsidized feed-in tariffs end.

1. 1/44 Hoskins St Mitchell, ACT 2911
Phone: 1300 772 226
Email: info@psccan.com.au
www.psccan.com.au
We can be reached
Mon - Fri (8 AM - 6 PM)
Saturday & Sunday - Closed
Solar Bonus
Scheme
Everything you need to know about
changes to your NSW Feed-in Tariffs
What is the Solar Bonus Scheme?
The Solar Bonus Scheme was implemented by the NSW
government with aims of encouraging the uptake of
renewable energy in NSW by offering Feed-in Tariffs
(FiT) for eligible customers connected to the distribution
network. Under the Scheme, eligible customers could
receive Feed-in Tariffs of up to 60 c/kWh. Since the
Scheme was initiated, it was always legislated to close
under Section 15A of the Electricity and Supply Act
1995. The Scheme is set to end on the 31st December
2016.
Am I a part of the Scheme?
If you live in NSW and installed solar between 1 January
2010 and the 28th of April 2012, you will be a part of the
Solar Bonus Scheme. Note that to be considered an
eligible customer, you need to also have a system size
less than 10 kW and be connected to the distribution
network.
How will the Scheme closure affect me?
Eligible Scheme customers will still continue to receive
their Feed-in Tariff until the end of the year, after which
they can access the same market offers for
unsubsidised Feed-in Tariffs that are available to all
other solar customers.
“Now is a good time to investigate your
metering and other product options, such
as battery storage, to make sure you
continue to get the most out of your
renewable energy system”
About

2. CALL US on 1300 772 226 today
and get your free appraisal for a Hybrid
System and organise with us to get
your meter upgraded before the
scheme ends
Electricity Retailer
Feed-in Tarrif (per
kWh)
Click Energy 10c
AGL 8c
Energy Australia 7.7c
Power Direct 7.7c
Lumo 6.6c
Sanctuary Energy 6.6c
Origin Energy 6c
Red Energy 5c
Table 1. Indicative Feed-in Tariffs from energymadeeasy.gov.au
Feed-in Tariffs are still available by your energy
supplier, however they are unsubsidised and as
such are generally lower than what you pay for
electricity.
Different retailers offer different feed in rates so it
makes sense to defect to the energy retailer that will
give you the highest rate for your excess generated
power. The table below gives you some idea of
offers by a few NSW electricity providers.
What do I need to do
before 31st Dec 2016?
Consider upgrading to a
Hybrid SystemIn Australia we use 2 categories of metering to
monitor energy import/export to and from a
residence; these are Net and Gross Metering. It is
most likely your residence uses Gross Metering, as
this is the most beneficial under the Scheme.
However once the Feed-in Tariffs are lower than the
price of electricity, you will need to swap to Net
Metering.
Gross Metering directly exports all your energy
generated by your renewable generator to the grid
and you have to buy back any electricity used at
retail price.
Net Metering enables you to use any generated
energy to supply your energy requirements first and
then exports any excess back to the grid.
Identify the type of meter
you have
1
2
3
Identify your most cost
effective retailer
Net
Gross
Metering
Panels
Grid
House/Load
Battery Storage
Batteries enable you to store the energy your solar
panels produce during the day for use in the evening or
early mornings. This way you avoid selling your energy
at a fraction of the market price.
Further benefits of a Battery Hybrid System include:
- Significant reduction of cost on electricity bills
- Reduction of your carbon footprint
- Provides an emergency power supply in case of
grid failure (blackout)
Batteries can be retrofitted to your exisiting system.
As you can see, the unsubsidised Feed-in Tariffs are
well below your current arrangement and also lower
than the price you pay for electricity. This means you
will want to USE as much of your generated energy
as possible, as opposed to SELLING it.
Smart Metering use digital meters that measure the
amount of electricity consumed at any given time.
They are controlled remotely and give you more
information about the way you use your energy,
enabling a more efficient use of electricity. Smart
meters can be remotely swapped over from gross to
net metering on the 31st Dec 2016 saving you the
hassle of finding a level 2 electrician for a manual
changeover when the Scheme ends.