Electricity and Other Legislation (Batteries and Premium Feed-in Tariff) Amendment Bill 2017

Overview

This bill would have tightened the rules for Queensland's Solar Bonus Scheme, which pays a premium 44c/kWh feed-in tariff to over 280,000 homes and small businesses with eligible solar panels. It spelled out when adding a battery or extra solar would cause a customer to lose that tariff, and it also opened up retail electricity competition for customers in embedded networks like apartment buildings. The bill lapsed when Parliament was dissolved and did not become law.

Who it affects

Queensland solar customers on the 44c/kWh feed-in tariff who want to add batteries or extra panels, and customers in embedded networks (apartments, retirement villages, caravan parks, shopping centres) who want to choose their own electricity retailer.

Key changes

• Solar Bonus Scheme customers keep their 44c/kWh tariff only if new batteries or extra generators cannot run at the same time as the qualifying solar system or export to the grid
• Customers who 'oversize' their solar system beyond the approved inverter capacity lose their premium tariff
• Batteries and extra generators that only run at night, during blackouts, or on a separate electrical installation (like a shed) are still allowed
• Customers who already installed or contracted for a battery or extra generator before the bill was introduced are protected from the new restrictions
• Embedded network customers (apartments, caravan parks etc.) gain the right to choose their own electricity retailer and access the Energy and Water Ombudsman for disputes