Overview

The Northern Territory (NT) Grid Buy Back Rate rewards households that install solar power (photovoltaic - PV) renewable energy systems by paying them for the electricity they generate.

The NT system is a gross feed-in tariff scheme which means that you are paid for each unit of electricity that you feed back into the grid.

Key eligibility

To be eligible for the feed-in-tariff, you must:

• have a PV system connected to the mains power grid that meets Power and Water Corporation's grid connection requirements
• enter into the required contractual agreements with Power and Water and pay the application and metering fee.

Homeowners, landlords and renters are eligible to apply. Renters should check with their landlord before installing solar energy systems.

A number of other conditions apply. Check your eligibility on Power and Water's website.

Items covered

The electricity feed-in tariff pays you for the electricity generated from your PV system. The amount of electricity you generate will be deducted by Power and Water from your electricity bill at the residential rate of 19.23 cents for every kilowatt hour of electricity you feed back into the grid.

A customised rate can also be negotiated for larger solar systems (those greater than 10 kVA).

You could also be eligible for financial assistance to help with the cost of installing a small-scale solar system under the Australian Government's Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES).

Next steps

Make sure that you understand the full program information before you purchase a solar power system.

If you already have a solar energy system installed, you'll need to contact Power and Water to check that you comply with all requirements.

Feed-in credits or payments you receive may have implications if you receive any Centrelink or other benefit payments, they may also be considered as assessable income by the Australian Taxation Office.

www.powerwater.com.au/business/renewable_energy/solar_buyback_program