Information for NSW Solar Bonus Scheme Customers
It is now possible for existing Solar Bonus Scheme customers to expand their generation capacity without losing their 60 or 20 cent feed in tariff.
Please note, the SBS is closed to new applicants, this information only applies to existing participants.
SBS customers who receive the 60c or 20 c per kilowatt hour tariff may now expand their overall generating capacity and retain their existing tariff for their scheme generator if the additional capacity is from a separately metered non-scheme generator. Scheme payments are not available for the non-scheme generator.
Customers should check what feed-in tariffs are available and confirm whether their preferred retailer will also pay a feed-in tariff for the generation from the non-scheme generator.
The NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal publishes a benchmark rate for solar feed-in tariffs for generation from non-scheme generators. However, electricity retailers are free to make offers to customers and are not required to pay a tariff for non-scheme generation.
Customers are obliged to notify their distribution network service provider (DNSP) of any change to their generator that would affect their receipt of scheme payments. Fines and penalties of up to $110,000 may apply for failure to notify.
The connection must be made in accordance with directions provided by the DNSP. The scheme generator will need to be gross metered and the non-scheme generator will need to be net metered. The DNSPs are currently processing these requests manually while updating their systems so customers may experience a delay in receiving an approval.
Net versus gross meters
Please note, the SBS offers a ‘gross’ tariff which means that customers are paid for all the electricity exported to the grid by their eligible renewable energy generator. Customers who prefer to receive a SBS ‘net’ tariff may choose to do so. However as DNSPs do not allow customers to have two net meters, customers adding a second non-scheme generator will need to take this into account when making any decision.
If you are interested in increasing your system size please contact our solar team to discuss further.