Solar Power Backflip Welcomed By Environment Groups (Australia)
A NSW backflip that will see households paid for all the electricity they generate using solar panels on their homes has been welcomed by environmental groups. But the state opposition says the change to the scheme means thousands of consumers will be left $300 out of pocket for equipment they bought under the old arrangements.
NSW has announced it will be the only state in Australia to offer a gross payment scheme - meaning householders are paid for all the electricity they generate, including what they use themselves.
It had originally announced it would follow other states and offer a "net payment" - which means a household is only paid for the surplus electricity it does not use which is sold back into the power grid.
Under the net payment scheme, households with solar electric panels were expected to make around $900 a year.
But NSW Climate Change and Environment Minister John Robertson said the gross payment scheme would mean an average household was paid around $1,500 a year.
"That's a 62 per cent increase on the previous scheme and means households can pay off their investment in solar panels in around eight years," Mr Robertson said.
The Government has announced that the scheme will only run for seven years.
Mr Robertson said households will still be able to use the solar panels after the scheme has expired.
BP Solar said it still expected thousands of households and businesses to install solar systems to produce energy in the middle of the afternoon when demand is at its highest.
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