Solar Bonus Scheme

The Queensland Government Solar Bonus Scheme pays households and other small customers for the surplus electricity generated from roof-top solar photovoltaic (PV) panel systems, that are exported to the Queensland electricity grid. The scheme is designed to make solar power more affordable for Queenslanders, stimulate the solar power industry and encourage energy efficiency.

The scheme rewards customers whenever they generate more electricity than they are using - not just the balance at the end of the quarter, but whenever generation exceeds consumption during the day.

The scheme is designed to boost the state's use of renewable energy, encourage energy efficiency and stimulate the solar power industry in Queensland. The Solar Bonus Scheme commenced on 1 July 2008.
Customers wishing to claim the solar bonus should contact the electricity retailer that supplies them with grid-connected electricity.

How much will consumers be paid?
Customers participating in the scheme will be paid 44 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) for surplus electricity fed into the grid-more than double the current general domestic use tariff of 18.84c/kWh (inc GST as at 1 July 2009).

The average consumer operating a 1 kilowatt (kW) solar system could save up to 25 percent on their electricity bill by using electricity generated by the PV system and from payments received from the Solar Bonus Scheme.

The amount of electricity a customer returns to the grid will depend on how much energy is being consumed while the solar panels are generating power. Customers may be able to maximise their solar bonus by improving the energy efficiency of their home to export more electricity to the grid. This could be achieved by reducing standby power consumption, shifting some tasks to the evening and minimising the use of air-conditioners.

For more information go to:

www.cleanenergy.qld.gov.au/solar_bonus_scheme.cfm

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