Thousands of solar-powered households could avoid high increases in power costs by exploiting a loophole in the electricity regulations as claimed by the State Opposition.
Treasurer Ben Wyatt announced last week a flat $169 or about 10.9% increase in power bills, but shadow energy minister Dean Nalder said many households may not have to actually pay the full amount. Nalder said that households with a business registered to the address will only be charged half the daily supply rate.
This loophole can possibly negate the purpose of the increase which was aimed at recouping Synergy losses from the fast uptake of solar panels.
He said that any benefit to the said customers would be partially or fully offset by other factors. It can include the cost and the effort involved in registering the business, higher energy charges and home business customers that are not legible for the solar buyback scheme.