The Andrews Labor Government has launched an inquiry to ensure Victorians with solar panels are paid fairly for the power they generate.
There are more than 245,000 solar systems installed in homes and businesses across the state.
The Labor Government’s Inquiry into the True Value of Distributed Generation to Victorian Consumers will examine the value of distributed generation, which is mostly solar, to the electricity market and network.
The inquiry will investigate whether current regulations for compensating Victorian households and businesses for generating solar power are adequate. It will also consider the environmental and social value of distributed generation.
The inquiry findings will be used to inform how feed-in tariffs – the amount people are paid for the solar power they produce for the network – should be structured in Victoria.
The Essential Services Commission will carry out the inquiry, which will involve extensive consultation with the energy industry, environmental organisations and consumer advocacy groups.
A draft report will be presented to the Government by the end of November 2015, with a final report to be submitted by the end of February 2016.
Since coming into power, the Government has introduced a raft of measures to promote renewable energy across the state.
This includes the Renewable Energy Roadmap - the Government’s plan to boost renewable energy investment and jobs by 2020 - and an initiative to source renewable energy certificates from new projects in Victoria, bringing forward around $200 million of new investment in renewables.
Information about the inquiry is available online:
Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio
“We believe that families and households with solar panels should be fairly compensated for the value their power generation provides and that’s why we are launching this inquiry.”
“Making sure Victorians are fairly compensated for the solar power they produce is a good way to promote the uptake of renewable energy.”
“I strongly encourage all the relevant stakeholders, including the energy industry, environmental organisations and consumer advocacy groups, to participate in this important inquiry.”
“The Andrews Labor Government is committed to renewable energy and we’re fulfilling our election commitment to undertake an inquiry into the true value of distributed generation.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020