Early solar adopters to face electricity bill shocks
19 July 2016: Solar Citizens are urging solar users to prepare for increased electricity prices with feed-in tariffs set to finish in months.
Government programs, or ‘Solar Bonus Schemes’, which incentivised solar uptake are set to end in the coming months in South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria, affecting more than 275,000 people.
“146,000 early solar adopters in NSW, particularly on the 60c Solar Bonus Scheme, will face bill hikes of $1,000 or more from 1 January 2017,” said Reece Turner, Consumer Campaigner with Solar Citizens.
“In addition, solar owners must ensure they have a new electricity meter installed.
“Without a new meter they will effectively be wasting their solar power, sending it back onto the electricity grid and unable to use it themselves.
“More than 62,000 solar owners, who take advantage of the South Australian 16c feed-in tariff which ends in October, will face bill shocks of around $380, whilst 67,000 Victorians on the transitional or “1 for 1” scheme face bill increases of $680 per year from 2017.
“Early solar adopters need to have a plan about how to maximise their solar power by using timers, considering a shift to heat pumps or electric how water systems and even preheating or cooling their homes,” Turner said.
Solar Citizens, in partnership with other community groups, have produced a video and outlining 5-steps for solar owners to most of their solar and minimise bill shock.
The 5 steps:
- Get a new meter (NSW only)
- Use more of your solar electricity
- Think about getting off gas
- Get the best electricity deal
- Consider battery storage
More at: http://www.solarcitizens.org.au/life_after_fits
These five steps are based on a comprehensive report from the Alternative Technology Association, commissioned by Total Environment Centre.
The full report can be found here: http://www.solarcitizens.org.au/life_after_fits
Media Contact: Reece Turner 0450 466 040 reece at solarcitizens.org.au
Solar Citizens is an independent, community-based organisation bringing together millions of solar owners and supporters to grow and protect solar in Australia. Together, we take action to protect the rights of millions of Australians with solar to cut bills, create clean power and take energy generation back into our own hands.
