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July 22nd 2010
Suzie Brown's picture

A win for solar in Victoria!

The Victorian government announced yesterday (21 July) that the state will have a 5% by 2020 solar energy target to come from large and medium-scale solar, not just small rooftop systems. This will be acheived through a feed-in tariff for large-scale systems - a first for Australia.

This is a good step on first reading (we're still waiting for the details). ACT is the only other state to have considered a feed-in tariff for large-scale renewables, but still haven't implemented it (their FiT goes up to 30kW systems, which is really just small-medium scale).

So it's great that the Vic government will support large solar installations. Here's what Premier Brumby said in their media release:

“The feed-in tariff will assist in the take up of solar power by paying large-scale facilities extra money for feeding the renewable power they generate back into the grid above what they would normally get on the energy market.

“To show we’re serious about the 2020 goal, we have set an interim target of generating 500GWh of solar power by 2014." 

Read more at http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/component/content/article/11150.html

I did wonder why this scheme is only for solar though - why can't other technologies like ocean/wave power or geothermal be a part of it? (But it seems best that wind energy is not eligible since that industry already benefits from the national Renewable Energy Target while the other more expensive technologies can't compete on cost).

As a result of this solar target the Vic government says we will have 25% of our energy coming from renewables by 2020, which is better than the national goal of 20%.

A step in the right direction!

Suzie Brown, Darebin Climate Action Now, Victoria

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1 comment on "Expanded feed-in tariff and solar target announced by Vic government"

Andrew Bray's picture
Andrew Bray said on Mon, 26/07/2010 - 12:06:
Yep, most definitely a step in the right direction - and all the more so for the lack of similar action at the federal level or in other states. I think Brumby is showing he recognises the benefits to be gained for his state from being an early mover. There will be investment drawn into the state and, for regional cities like Ballarat, this is great news because we've got a strong manufacturing base and research facilities which should be well placed to benefit. But Matthew Wright's caution is worth hearing. I don't think there's any guarantee we'll see baseload power stations out of this so this is something the Vic groups should keep campaigning for.