Frequently asked questions

A feed-in tariff is a payment to households, community organisations and small businesses from power companies for electricity that is 'fed into' the power grid. Customers that install small-scale renewable energy systems can sometimes produce more energy than they can use. If connected to the power grid, these customers can feed this electricity back into the grid.

The premium feed-in tariff scheme will run for 15 years from its start date (1 November 2009). There is an overall state-wide cap of 100MW. Once generation capacity installed under the scheme has reached this cap, the scheme will be closed to new applicants. The standard feed-in tariff does not have a time limit - it is ongoing.

In Victoria, an average residential solar electricity system (1.5 kilowatts in size) can produce over 2,000 kilowatt hours of energy per year. Even if only 500 kilowatt hours were returned to the grid per year, the owner would be eligible to receive feed-in payments of $300 per annum. The system would also be reducing the amount of electricity consumed in the owner's household by 1,500 kilowatt hours per year, saving about $300. So in total, these solar households would be about $600 better off per year.

The amount a household returns to the grid will depend on how much energy is consumed and when the solar panels are generating power. Owners will be able to maximise the credit from their solar system by improving their energy efficiency and returning more power to the grid.

For example, people can switch off appliances which aren't needed, shift some tasks to the evening, shade windows to minimise the need for air-conditioning and so on. For more advice on ways to save energy go to www.saveenergy.vic.gov.au.

The amount of electricity exported, and thus the amount of feed-in tariff received from solar panels for community groups and small business depends on the electricity usage pattern at those premises.

Over the next four years, every Victorian home and small business will have their current meter upgraded to a smart meter - which will fully support feed-in tariffs, as they will be able to measure electricity usage every half hour and record both power being used and power being sent to the grid.

What is the difference between premium feed-in tariff and standard feed-in tariff?

• Premium feed-in tariff is applicable for houses, community organisations and small businesses that consume less than 100 megawatt hours a year. This premium rate is more than three times higher than the standard retail rate customers pay for electricity.
• Standard feed-in tariff is applicable to larger renewable power systems (solar, wind, hydro and biomass) that are up to 100 kilowatts in size.

Your electricity will be disconnected on or after the date specified in the disconnection notice sent to you by Jemena. The disconnection will occur between the hours of 8am and 2pm. However, Jemena will not carry out a disconnection on a Friday, a weekend, a public holiday or on the day before a public holiday.

To prevent the disconnection of your electricity supply you must contact your electricity retailer before the date specified in the disconnection notice sent to you by Jemena and address the reason which has led to the retailer requesting us to disconnect your electricity. Please note that Jemena is not responsible for resolving disagreements between you and your electricity retailer.

We do not install possum guards or any other animal protection guards on any of our assets.

Animal protection guards such as “possum discs” can interfere with our assets and lead to electricity supply failure and/or exposure of live wires to people, animals or trees - posing a safety risk to our customers.

If you’d like a hard copy of any of our electricity application forms you can download them from our document centre, or contact us and we’ll mail the form to you.