Electricity Provider Changing Solar Feed-in Rate without Notification

pernunz on 11/09/2018 - 11:29

I'm relatively new to the solar game, and I'm sure someone from Ozbargain would have had a similar experience to me, so I'm asking what to do (if anything) in this scenario.

Signed up and got solar installed in June this year. There was an advertised feed-in tariff of 17c.

As part of the terms and conditions signing the contract with this retailer, there are terms saying that they:
may vary the amount of the feed-in tariff if the allows or requires them to do so
and
will provide details of any regulated feed-in tariff variation as soon as practicable and no later than your next bill

I noticed the feed-in rate dropped from 17c to 10c, a 40% reduction, and have confirmed this via the retailers website. However I've not received any communication from the retailer at this point. I haven't received a bill (yet, assuming a 90 day cycle this is expected in a couple of weeks), so it looks like they may still be able to do this as part of the contract.

My question is that the terms were varied (which is fine) but prior notification did not occur (all communication is emailed and I have no record of this)

Is this standard in the solar/electricity industry? Is there a framework for 'as soon as practicable' when notifying customers about feed-in tariff changes? Are there options for consumer compensation if retailers don't communicate to customers about changes? It seems a bit untrustworthy and not in the spirit of the contract to not notify customers.

Happy to be told otherwise, but I'm sure an OzBargainer has asked this question before.

Home & Garden Electricity Solar

Comments

  • HighAndDry on 11/09/2018 - 11:34

    Are there options for consumer compensation if retailers don't communicate to customers about changes?

    Lol no. Especially since you already know about it.

    • pernunz on 11/09/2018 - 12:51

      I mean, I know about it now because I'm regularly checking.

      But, I've learnt my lesson and I'm now looking at a new retailer.

  • Nugs on 11/09/2018 - 11:38
    +2

    wow, reduced solar tariff within first bill cycle.

    that's a bit shady…

    .

    • pernunz on 11/09/2018 - 12:49

      It may have just been a timing issue. Perhaps they announced the change to customers prior to me signing up, but that would have been a month and a half before signup, but any new customers that signed up in that period, if they've had the same experience as me, would be unaware of the change in feed in tariff.

  • Diji1 on 11/09/2018 - 11:45
    +3

    Isn't privatisation working out great!

    After supplying cheap electricity at a profit for decades the government privatised electricity because neo-liberal maniacs took over both major parties.

    This drove the prices up to the highest levels in the world. At this point it makes more sense to build your own electricity generation plant than purchase electricity.

    So, if you are not in the 50% of Australia without the money, you now have to purchase your own electricity generation plant while the government acts like it's doing you a favour by partly subsidising the fix to a problem of it's own making.

    At which point you are further ripped off by private concerns yet again like OP.

    Despite being played like chumps and losing thousands and thousands of dollars each the Australian population continues to vote for the Liberal and Labour Parties to signal that they're happy being ruled by neo-liberal maniacs and losing their money is cool.

    • [Deactivated] on 11/09/2018 - 12:43
      +5

      First one in after tinfoilhatman comment.

  • sir_bazz on 11/09/2018 - 13:24
    +1

    Looks like AGL still have their 20 cent FIT campaign going. Locked in for 2 years as well.

    Only commenting because I'd be switching provider if that were me.

    https://www.agl.com.au/campaigns/solarsavers

  • Baghern on 11/09/2018 - 13:45

    I believe all energy companies have a clause where they can change rates in line with market prices, not sure how that is determined.

    I do note my feed in tariff went from 9c to 8c this last quarter.

    I've also read online that feed industry wide was going to be down

    here we go

    https://reneweconomy.com.au/nsw-solar-feed-tariff-slashed-44…

  • [Deactivated] on 11/09/2018 - 14:08

    I like the idea of solar but being an OzBargainer that reads the forums it's hard.

    Is there actually anything on ozbargain that is pro solar?

    • ChrisLevo on 11/09/2018 - 14:19

      Yep.

      5.8kW PVA which paid for itself in a little less than 3 years.

      13.5kWH Tesla Powerwall 2 which should do the same in around 3 years under the subsidised AGL Virtual Powerplant scheme.

      • tunzafun001 on 11/09/2018 - 14:37

        How much did the Powerwall cost you? and how often are they allowed to drain your batteries?

        • ChrisLevo on 11/09/2018 - 15:34

          Around $4,500 fitted.

          That includes the backup facility if there are any outages.

          They have not taken anything out yet.

      • [Deactivated] on 11/09/2018 - 14:44

        Vic. :(

        • ChrisLevo on 11/09/2018 - 15:34

          I'm in Adelaide.

        • [Deactivated] on 11/09/2018 - 15:36

          @ChrisLevo:
          I'm not in Adelaide anymore. Time to update the ol profile.

  • Abbi on 22/10/2018 - 08:59

    I'm in the same situation, mine went from 17cents to 10cents. I made a complaint but was told I was notified on my last bill. Checked my last bill, can't see a message about it at all.

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