For the 2013–14 regulatory year the AER has approved Energex’s proposed pass through of $255 million associated with the Queensland Government solar bonus scheme. Solar uptake has significantly exceeded expectations for the past three years.
Owners of solar panels are paid by retailers for electricity they supply into the distribution grid. Retailers recover these payments from the relevant distributor, who in turn recovers them from its customers.
What this means is that in 2015-16 Energex will be permitted to raise additional revenue to meet the approved pass through amount incurred in 2013-14. Energex can recover these revenues from customers through higher network charges to apply from 1 July 2015.