Feed-in Tariff Scheme

Cr Heidi Seitz seconded this motion as she has recently purchased solar (electricity) photovoltaic system. This allowed some good discussion on the topic in the chamber, however the motion was not carried after all. A gross feed-in tariff would mean that households generating their own solar electricity would receive financial return from the state government for whatever they produce, rather than for what they produce but don't use (net feed-in tariff).
A gross feed-in tariff would help make solar PV much more attractive to more households, especially those on lower incomes. Such a gross tariff may also subsequently kick off our domestic renewables industry (as has happened in Germany and other European countries).

Geraldine

To: Chief Executive Officer
Please note that it is my intention to propose the following motion at the Ordinary Meeting of the Council to be held on 24/2/09
Subject: Feed in Tariff Scheme

Motion
That Council
a) write to the Premier, John Brumby and the Minister for Energy, Peter Batchelor, expressing disappointment with the recently announced Feed in Tariff Scheme that will only provide financial return on excess energy fed into the grid, that such a scheme provides minimal and uncertain financial return and does little for the development of the solar industry in Victoria. Further to that Council supports a Feed in Tariff Scheme that is based on Gross Production Metering Systems, which has a mandated price over a guaranteed time period to provide certainty for investment and provides fair financial returns to solar panel owners and does not discriminate against families, the elderly and those at home during the daytime (home businesses) who consume electricity during the day.
b) Request the MAV as a matter of urgency to vigorously pursue the resolution passed by Victorian Councils at the MAV State Council meeting in May 2008 that 'The MAV call on the State govt to set the feed in tariff for small scale photovoltaic and wind generated electricity at 60c/kwh for the gross amount of electricity generated, rather than the net amount after deducting on-site usage