According to the final draft determination published by AEMC last week, between 2.6 and three million Australian households have already installed solar panels. A further three million households will follow during the next decade. By 2050, rooftop solar systems and other types of DER will contribute more than 45 per cent of Australia’s electricity supply. These investments made by consumers are playing a significant role in the decarbonization of our energy supply.
The question arises if solar is proving to be the best renewable source for Australia and is a fantastic investment for consumers, why are the rules changing? Why will we have to pay for exporting to the grid? Is it still worth it to invest in solar? The answer is yes, solar is still going to be the smartest renewable energy investment. Even if you have a Zero kW export limit, solar is worth it. Now you must be wondering how that’s possible. Let us explain how? In case reading this long explanation doesn’t excite you, speak to our experts and get the complete solar guide within minutes.
Originally the Australian grid network was designed to work one way. The new rule has been designed to clear the “traffic jams” happening over the grid network system. A two way network has been initiated to avoid the worst scenarios that may occur with the increase in connection of solar systems flowing one way. The system is still going to pay back if you have a zero export limit or export charges. It all depends on the solar consumption and electricity consumption patterns. If you are on zero export limit, the system can pay back faster if the household directly uses the solar generated electricity at the same time. Yes, you are thinking it right, the household with people at home during the day gets more financial incentives. But the bitter fact is, most individuals are working during the day hours. A quick tip here, you can set timers on the appliances in the day hours to get the tasks done while you are away for work and to get most out of solar. Installing batteries is a good idea if you are on zero export limit, as that can help get return on investment easy, even when you do not use the solar electricity in the daylight hours.
New Rules – An Overview
The solar feed in tariff rate may go down as much as 2c/kWh, but you shall be rewarded with financial incentives for sending electricity to the grid when needed and charged for exporting the power when the grid is burdened.
The export grid charges shall apply from 2025. If you are looking at investing in solar, now is certainly the best ever time. Investing in solar now can help the system pay back within 3-4 years of time, later the benefits can be reaped with solar without having to worry about the return of investment.
Power network companies are assigned the rights to coordinate with the customers to offer a range of export packages to consumers including a “free basic service”. We check your electricity bill and guide you through the right system. Ask us if the export limit shall apply to your property. Let our experts guide you through the process of finding the best feed in tariffs now.
There is good news for non-solar owners too, they shall see around $15 saving a year. However, investing in solar saves you more than $250 a year. Speak to our experts and know how?
