Can my school earn an income from exporting surplus power to an electricity grid?
Schools that install solar power systems funded under National Solar Schools may have the option to export surplus energy they have generated back to the electricity grid. This will be subject to their local electricity retailer and feed-in arrangements. Electricity sold back to the grid reduces greenhouse gas emissions and could earn schools an income. Several states and territories in Australia are putting in place, or are considering putting in place, feed-in tariff schemes to further support expanded deployment of solar PV systems and, possibly, other forms of renewable energy. However, these feed-in tariff schemes have the potential to differ significantly across jurisdictions and between electricity retailers. Schools are encouraged to discuss with their local electricity retailer the potential to feed in surplus electricity to the grid and, in particular, whether the current regulatory/network arrangements in their area allow them to participate in a feed-in tariff scheme.
