Energy Minister Peter Collier is inviting public comment on the design of a feed-in tariff scheme for Western Australia.

In releasing a discussion paper today, Mr Collier said this was the latest step in the Liberal-National Government’s commitment to introduce a feed-in tariff from July 2010.

“Earlier this year, I announced the $13.5million Household Renewable Energy Scheme to support owners of household renewable energy systems, installed between September 6, 2008 and June 2, 2009, while at the same time committing to the introduction of a feed-in tariff,” he said.

“Due to an unprecedented uptake of systems, the original $13.5million allocated for a gross feed-in tariff scheme was not sufficient to meet the demand for systems installed since the State Election.

“As many householders would have missed out under the original scheme it was important to work on an alternative design that would provide an on-going benefit to households and the solar industry in WA.”

The Minister said the State Government intended to introduce a feed-in tariff that was paid on a net generation and applied to photovoltaic, wind and micro-hydro technologies.

“The discussion paper presents an opportunity for the public and key stakeholders to provide input into the development of the preferred scheme design,” he said.

“A net feed-in tariff will allow the scheme to better align with systems in other jurisdictions across Australia and provide a more nationally consistent incentive to the industry.”

While comment is being sought on a residential proposal, a feasibility study will be conducted on the potential for a feed-in tariff scheme for small business and commercial premises.

“This will be conducted separately to the development of a residential tariff,” Mr Collier said.

A copy of the discussion paper is available on the Office of Energy website, at http://www.energy.wa.gov.au or by phoning 9420 5600 and the closing date for submissions is November 20.