Electricity consumers waiting for gross feed-in meters to be installed will have to wait a bit longer.
NSW Government’s NSW Bonus Solar Scheme was scheduled to commence on January 1, 2010 providing customers with a ‘gross’ feed-in tariff for all energy produced by small scale distributed solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.
Under the Scheme, gross metered customers will be paid a feed-in tariff of 60 cents per kilowatt hour for all energy generated by small scale distributed solar PV systems or wind turbines.
Country Energy’s regional general manager, Mid North Coast, Brian Mclean confirmed Country Energy will provide existing net metered customers and new customers – with an installed capacity of less than 10 kilowatts - with a new gross meter at no charge.
The installation of the meters is contestable work therefore the customer will need to contact an Accredited Service Provider (ASP) who will source the meter from Country Energy on behalf of the customer and complete the installation.
Country Energy placed a large order to secure supplies of gross meters as soon as the NSW Government’s Solar Bonus Scheme was announced.
A spokesperson said the gross meters were ordered in preparation for the roll out of the program from January 1, 2010, however supplies of meters have been “constrained, and will continue to be constrained for some months”.
New gross meters started arriving at Country Energy in recent weeks for priority distribution to Accredited Service Providers (ASPs) across Country Energy’s network area according to orders received.
”Country Energy will source an additional 3,500 gross meters over the next six weeks, and from May we’re expecting a steady supply of around 3,000 per month which will also be supplemented by additional gross meters from an alternate supplier.
“Under the NSW Government’s new Solar Bonus Scheme gross metered customers will be paid 60 cents for all electricity generated by their eligible small scale distributed solar photovoltaic (PV) systems or wind turbines.
”Transitional arrangements allow existing net metered customers to be paid 60 cents per kilowatt hour for all excess renewable energy that is fed into the electricity grid after household consumption needs are met.
The transitional period (January 1 to June 30) only applies to existing net metered customers. New gross metered customers may still access the Scheme after July 1, however the NSW Government has announced it will review the Scheme in 2012, or when the installed capacity of renewable energy generators reaches 50 megawatts.
”Customers who wish to participate in the Scheme should contact a suitably qualified electrical contractor who will place an order for a gross meter with Country Energy, who has a stringent order process in place to ensure the gross meters are distributed fairly and equitably.
“Customers can find out more information about the Scheme by visiting
www.countryenergy.com. au by phoning Country Energy’s energanswers advice
line 1800 ENERGY (1800 363 749) or by contacting an Accredited Service
Provider.”
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