Victorian government to cap solar rebates in response to overwhelming interest
Due to the immense success of the program — and with rebates now almost fully subscribed — Solar Victoria will accept a final 2,000 applications before the end of June, the state government has announced. New solar rebates will be available in the next financial year.
Long read: Behind the limited return of the Syncon
Sometimes there are old solutions to new problems. But often the problem would be best avoided in the first place. The developers of one of Australia’s most ambitious solar and eventually battery storage projects encountered precisely this – as the rate of wind and large-scale solar development in Australia outstrips the capabilities of the grid, at least in some locations.
Victoria to make smart inverters mandatory for Solar Homes
Following the decision to require retailers taking part in the Solar Homes program to be signatories to the Clean Energy Council’s Solar Retailer Code of Conduct, the Victorian government has set specific requirements for inverters that will be installed under the program.
Victoria to require installers to sign CEC’s Code of Conduct for Solar Homes
The Victorian government is giving smaller solar installers eight months to sign up to the Clean Energy Council’s Solar Retailer Code of Conduct if they want to qualify for the Solar Homes program. For larger retailers, the deadline to become Approved Solar Retailers is July.
Why we need the Approved Solar Retailer program – and why Victoria is demanding it
Purchasing solar is complex and confusing for customers. They need help in determining which retailers meet higher standards of service and will provide a comprehensive whole-of-system warranty, whose marketing claims can be trusted and whose directors haven’t run other dodgy solar companies that avoid their obligations and rip people off.
Victoria changes planning rules for large-scale wind and solar
Under the new planning mechanism adopted by the Victorian government, permits will be required for the power lines that connect new large-scale wind and solar generators to the grid. The public will be involved in the process of deciding power line routes.
Victoria increases minimum feed-in tariffs
From 1 July this year, the single minimum price Victoria’s solar households will receive for the power they export to the grid will increase by two cents per kilowatt hour. However, under the time-varying tariff introduced last year, the peak rate tariff has been slashed by half.
Low, middle income households install solar more than wealthy
New myth-busting analysis has revealed that rooftop solar is not so much in vogue among the wealthy, but is more popular among poorer households. Cost-saving benefits are, however, being blunted by high fixed charges, while energy retailers are profiteering from households with solar PV, states the report from the Victoria Energy Policy Climate.
Victoria’s Powercor develops plan to avoid solar curtailment
The Victorian electricity distribution business has proposed network enhancements that aim to drive down power prices starting from 2021. It hopes to boost the safety and flexibility of the grid through the measures, which include network improvements to accommodate more solar and battery storage installations.
AEMC to fast track approval of SA-NSW interconnector
After it garnered broad support in political and industry circles, the proposed SA-NSW interconnector is in line for a speedier approval than expected, with the AEMC looking to fast-track the regulatory approval process.
