Russell Marsh, Clean Energy Council Policy Director, states that the Essential Services Commission of South Australia (ESCoSA) have released a draft price determination which would go towards protecting consumers who are investing their money in good faith to take the sting out of their increasing power bills.
Mr Marsh said “South Australians who invest in solar power systems deserve reasonable payment for the clean energy they supply to the power grid.”
Although ESCoSA’s recommendation of setting a minimum price for solar does not fully do this, there are concerns for consumer and industry groups given that some electricity retailers have put forward a proposal to take away the minimum price for solar altogether.
ESCoSA are testing the strength of competition in the market by slightly reducing the level of the solar feed-in tariff. They also recommend that new solar customers should shop around for the best deal.
“The industry had argued strongly to retain a minimum price for solar” Mr Marsh said.
Mr Marsh also said “the introduction of a mandatory minimum price which will assist in ensuring a fair go for solar customers.” The acknowledgement by the head of ESCoSA regarding the industry’s concerns is extremely pleasing.”
The draft proposal by ESCoSA sets a minimum value of 7.6 cents per kilowatt-hour for the electricity from solar panels pad by electricity retailers.
