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A report concerning the future of Victoria's feed-in tariff joins others that fail to recognise the true value of electricitygenerated by home solar power systems – and could threaten knock-on effects acrossAustralia if implemented. While installing solar panels represents a wise investment evenwithout a feed in tariff given the rapidly increasing cost ofelectricity, nobody should expect system owners to give the surpluselectricity they generate to energy companies for free. Thecontentious point has always been how much that electricity isworth – a fair and reasonable value for the power. A draft report from the Victorian Competition and EfficiencyCommission (VCEC) recommends solar households be guaranteed apayment of between 6-8 cents per kilowatt hour for the surpluselectricity they generate according to the Clean Energy Council(CEC); plus whatever added amount they can negotiate with theirelectricity distributor. CEC Policy Director Russell Marsh says this is an unrealisticapproach. "It will be virtually impossible for consumers to actuallyget that additional payment, meaning they will miss out on up tohalf the value they are entitled to". The CEC has previously estimated a fair and reasonable value ofsolar is between 12-16 cents per kilowatt-hour; but some would sayeven that undervalues the electricity. A Melbourne University studyputs the real value of solar electricity between 40 and 60 cents,taking into account aspects such as reducing electricitydistribution infrastructure costs and time of generation. Others in the industry simply want a 1:1 feed in tariff rateimplemented across Australia, whereby solar households receive themarket rate for the surplus electricity they export to the mainsgrid. While the VCEC report recognises distributed generation reducestransmission and distribution losses and the cost of infrastructuremaintenance, it has found it difficult to assign a value tothese benefits – and this may be where some of the shortfallin their price recommendations lies. Aside from the impact on solar households in Victoria, a concern isshould the VCEC pricing recommendations be implemented, it will beused as an example for other Australian states to follow. The 216 page report, which bears the interesting title of"Power From The People", also recommendsVictoria's current transitional feed in tariff (TFiT) beclosed to new participants when 75 MW of generating capacity isreached; or by 31 December 2013, whichever is sooner – withthe latter likely being the case. There are no retrospectivechanges recommended for those on the previous premium feed-intariff (PFiT) The VCEC is seeking submissions to its draft report by 15 June anda final report is to be submitted to the Victorian government by 13July 2012. The e-commerce company in China offers quality products such as Upholstered Doors Manufacturer , China Bi Fold Wardrobe Doors, and more. For more , please visit Partition Sliding Doors today!
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