Feed - In Tariffs
Feed-in tariffs are used in many countries to pay owners of renewable energy systems at above the market rate for the electricity they generate. They provide an incentive for homeowners to install renewable energy systems. Australia is only just starting to embrace this tariff.
For example in Adelaide electricity is sold to homes at around 18c per unit but purchases are made back at a rate of up to 64c per unit. This means a much lower electricity bill at the end of the day. This effectively means that while on holidays your solar panels would be at home earning you money from the electrical company.
The Western Australian Government has recently committed to implement a feed-in tariff for homeowners. The Sustainable Energy Development Office within the Office of Energy is currently developing the scheme design, although the design process is in the early stages. Visit www.sedo.energy.wa.gov.au/pages/re_feed-in_tariff.asp for more information.
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