What's new
March 2010
Call for submissions – Register of solar water heaters – Version 7
The closing time for lodgment of submissions is 5pm Eastern Standard Time 1 April 2010. Updating the Register of solar water heaters - Version 7
Update to the Register of solar water heaters - Version 6
Version 6 of the Register of solar water heaters came into effect from 3 March 2010. You will be able to view and download a copy of the eligible list of solar water heater models from the Register of solar water heaters.
Please email orer@orer.gov.au or call 02 6159 7700 to receive Version 31 of the Bulk Upload Workbook for Solar Water Heater for Registered Agents.
February 2010
Changes to the Renewable Energy Target Scheme
On the 26 February 2010 the Government announced proposed amendments to the RET scheme effective from 1 January 2011 including:
- the RET scheme will include two parts - the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) and the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET).
- the SRES will provide a fixed price of $40 per REC.
Visit: Media Release -26 February 2010
As detailed in the media release, the Government will shortly release an industry consultation paper and intends to legislate the changes in the Winter Sittings of Parliament.
As ORER's role is to administer the Act ORER cannot provide further information regarding changes to administration of the RET until amendments to the legislation are passed by Parliament.
ORER will email significant updates to registered users of the REC Registry, including release of the industry consultation paper.
Continue to check the Department of Climate Change website for updates.
Compliance nearing 100%
Compliance figures have been released showing nearly 100% compliance from liable parties in 2008.
Visit: Media release - 1 February 2010
December 2009
New regulations
The regulations for gaming, transition of state based renewable energy target schemes into the RET and changes to postcode zones for deemed units are in force as of 16 December 2009.
Visit: ComLaw website
REC calculator
A REC Calculator is now available on the REC Registry. The calculator determines the approximate amount of RECs that may be received under the RET for a solar water heater or small generation unit installation and is accessible without login to the REC Registry.
Visit: Solar Water Heater REC Calculator
Visit: Small Generation Unit REC Calculator
New compulsory fields in REC Registry - For agents of solar water heaters and small generation units
The following new fields must be completed by Registered Agents from 14 December 2009 onwards.
SGU REC Creation
SGU RECs created in the REC Registry must answer the following four new mandatory questions:
- Have you received of been approved for a rebate or financial assistance for any small generation unit at this address?
- Have you received Solar Credits (multiplied RECs) for a small generation unit at this premises/address?
- Is this an ELIGIBLE premises for Solar Credits (REC Multiplier)?
- Are you installing a complete unit (additional capacity to an existing system is not considered a complete unit)?
SGU bulk upload files that do not contain these fields will fail.
Visit: Deemed units bulk upload guidelines
The following new mandatory field has been added when claiming the 15 year deeming period for solar SGU installations.
- CEC/BCSE Accredited Installer Number
SWH REC Creation
The following two compulsory new questions must be completed when creating RECs for SWH installation.
- Is the volumetric capacity of this installation greater than 700L?
- Have two statutory declarations been sent to statdec@orer.gov.au as per the current regulations? For more information see http://www.orer.gov.au/swh
SWH bulk upload files that do not contain these fields will fail.
Visit: Deemed units bulk upload guidelines
ORER bulk upload workbooks
Registered agents can obtain a copy of the ORER bulk upload workbook please request a copy via email at orer@orer.gov.au
Updating REC assignment forms
Registered Agents will be required to update their REC assignment forms with the addition of Solar Credits and statutory declarations questions.
Agents must send a copy of their updated REC assignment forms to orer@orer.gov.au by Monday, 4th January 2010.
Visit: Mandatory information required for REC assignment declaration forms
Public consultation for Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations 2001 – Emissions Intensive Trade Exposed activities
The Department of Climate Change (DCC), Renewable Electricity Markets, Strategies and Coordination Division , is conducting a public consultation for proposed amendments to Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations 2001 in relation to partial exemption from REC liability for certain Emissions Intensive Trade Exposed (EITE) activities.
The proposed regulations can be found at http://www.climatechange.gov.au/en/media/whats-new/ret-eite.aspx
Submissions close on 28 January 2010. Further information concerning deadlines or how to lodge your submissions can be obtained from the above webpage. To discuss the proposed regulation you should contact DCC.
November 2009
2009 RET Compliance Update: for registered persons and liable parties
The 2009 compliance period is fast approaching. Please read carefully the 2009 compliance year update for important information regarding:
Key timelines and availability of 2009 annual reporting forms for power stations, solar water heaters, small generation units, and liable parties including when to
- Create RECs
- Register RECs
- Transfer RECs
- Surrender RECs
Visit – 2009 compliance year update
September 2009
Administration arrangements – Solar Credits and Solar Water Heaters
The new Regulations to implement Solar Credits and requiring statutory declarations for large Solar Water Heaters are now in force.
To obtain an updated copy of the Act and Regulations visit the ComLaw website
Media release – 10 September 2009
The following pages contain new administrative processes resulting from the updated Act and Regulations:
- Small Generation Units - containing Solar Credits eligibility and REC Calculations
- RET - The Basics
- Current Agents Guide
- Solar Water Heater Owners Guide - containing statutory declarations process
Creating RECs under Solar Credits (REC Multiplier)
Registered persons are able to create additional RECs as of 10 September 2009 under the Solar Credits mechanism for eligible installations of Small Generation Units.
The Small Generation Units guide on the ORER website contains the following updated information:
- Eligibility for Solar Credits for Small Generation Units (small-scale solar PV, wind and hydro electricity systems) installed on or after 9 June 2009
- REC calculation for Solar Credits including REC calculation examples
- Definition of an eligible premises in terms of Solar Credits.
A majority of owners of small generation units choose to assign their RECs to a registered agent.
Visit – List of Agents
SGU REC Creation (solar credits) - two updated fields
The REC Registry will be ready to accept Solar Credit RECs as of 10 September 2009. Two updated compulsory questions in the REC Registry must be completed when creating RECs for SGU installations.
The sample questions:
- Are featured in the manual and bulk upload functions for SGU REC creation.
- Occur between "Disconnection date" and "Grid connected".
The two updated compulsory questions are:
- Have you received or been approved for a rebate or financial assistance (including Solar Credits) for any small generation unit at this address? Please answer Yes or No.
- Is this premises NOT ELIGIBLE for Solar Credits (REC Multiplier), (if you answer NO then you are confirming that the premises is eligible for Solar Credits)? Please answer Yes or No.
SGU Bulk upload files that do not contain these fields will fail. SGU RECs created in the REC Registry on or after the 10th September 2009 must answer the above mentioned questions correctly. To obtain a copy of the new SGU Bulk Upload Guidelines please go to the Bulk Upload drop down menu in your Registry Account.
The rebate or financial assistance referred to in the first question would come from the following:
- Solar Homes and Communities Plan (SHCP)
- Renewable Remote Power Generation (RRPGP)
- National Solar School Program (NSSP)
- Photovoltaic Rebate Programme (PVRP)
Submitting a statutory declaration for Solar Water Heaters
Installations of systems with a capacity greater than 700 litres installed on or after 9 September 2009 will require submission of two statutory declaration forms to ORER prior to the creation of RECs. The statutory declarations should indicate the following:
- Statutory declaration 1 (to be completed by owner): That the owner intends for the system to remain installed in its original configuration and location for the life of the system.
- Statutory declaration 2 (to confirm appropriately sized system):
- the model of the solar water heater
- the volumetric storage capacity of the heater
- the premises at which the heater is to be installed and used
- the purposes for which the heater, and the hot water produced by the heater, are to be used
- that the volumetric storage capacity of the heater is appropriate for the premises at which the heater is to be installed and the purposes for which the heater, and the hot water produced by the heater, are to be used
- the expertise or experience of the person signing the declaration in relation to a heater of the kind covered by the declaration (in most cases this will be the installer/supplier).
Visit – Example statutory declaration
Updating REC Assignment forms
Registered Agents will be required to update their REC assignment forms with the addition of the solar credits and the statutory declarations.
Please send a copy of your updated REC Assignment form to orer@orer.gov.au by 30 September 2009
Visit - Mandatory information required for REC assignment declaration forms - Requirements
August 2009
Expanded Renewable Energy Target Legislation passed on the 20 August 2009
The legislation to implement the expanded national Renewable Energy Target was passed on the 20th August 2009.
- When the necessary regulations come into force ORER will be able to administer Solar Credits and other aspects of the RET scheme which require amendment to the current regulations.
- We anticipate that the Solar Credits regulations will be put in place in the near future.
- The new legislation will be available shortly at the DCC website.
- The ORER website will display updates to the RET administrative processes as soon as they are finalised.
- REC Registry users will be notified via email of important updates.
Media Release - 20 August 2009
June 2009
Call for submissions - Register of solar water heaters - Version 6
The closing time for lodgement of submissions is 5pm Eastern Standard Time 16 July 2009.
Updating the Register of solar water heaters - Version 6
Update to the Register of solar water heaters - Version 5
Version 5 of the Register of solar water heaters came into effect from 18 June 2009. You will be able to view and download a copy of the eligible list of solar water heater models from the Register of solar water heaters.
Please contact Matthew Power (matthew.power@orer.gov.au or 02 6159 7700) to receive Version 28 of the Bulk Upload Workbook for Solar Water Heater for Registered Agents.
Claiming Solar Credits for small generation units
The Government has announced that small-scale solar PV, wind and hydro electricity systems will be able to receive ‘Solar Credits’ once the expanded national RET scheme legislation passes through Parliament and the required regulations come into force. Solar Credits is a mechanism under the expanded RET scheme which multiplies the number of RECs able to be created for eligible installations of small-scale renewable energy systems. Those wishing to create RECS for systems installed on or after 9 June 2009 may choose to apply for RECs under the current deeming arrangements and apply later for the additional Solar Credits when invited by the ORER. Alternatively, they may choose to delay their application until the Solar Credits regulations are in place.
Visit – Solar Credit fact sheets and
Current REC eligibility for small generation units
Final legislation for the expanded Renewable Energy Target
The Australian Government will today release the final legislation for the expanded Renewable Energy Target (RET) which will allow for the creation of new ‘Solar Credits' to replace the existing Solar Homes and Communities Plan (SHCP) from today onwards.Government continues to grow renewable energy industry - Media release
April 2009
COAG agrees to the design of the expanded RET
On 30 April 2009, COAG agreed the design of the expanded national Renewable Energy Target (RET) scheme, to implement the Government's commitment that 20 per cent of Australia's electricity supply comes from renewable energy sources by 2020.
Visit - www.climatechange.gov.au/renewabletarget
Media release - www.pm.gov.au/media/Release/2009/media_release_0943.cfm
March 2009
Change of phone numbers - ORER
As of 21st March 09 ORER's phone numbers will change, including all staff numbers. In the first instance please contact ORER via the new central number and fax:
Phone: (02) 6159 7700
Fax: (02) 6159 7780
ORER's central email will remain the same - orer@orer.gov.au
From the 21 March 09 onwards please address all ORER staff emails as follows - firstname.lastname@orer.gov.au
January 2009
Scheme sheds light on healthy renewable energy industry
The Office of Renewable Energy Regulator released figures today demonstrating nearly 100% compliance by wholesale electricity purchasers to the MRET scheme, resulting in electricity from renewable sources powering nearly 900,000 households in 2007.
Consultation on the treatment of electricity-intensive, trade-exposed industries under the Renewable Energy Target
The COAG Working Group on Climate Change and Water has released a consultation paper on the treatment of electricity-intensive, trade-exposed industries under the expanded national Renewable Energy Target scheme.
Interested stakeholders are invited to comment on the issues outlined in this paper.
For more information visit - www.climatechange.gov.au/renewabletarget/consultation/index.html#RET
December 2008
Update to the Register of solar water heaters - Version 4
Version 4 of the Register of solar water heaters came into effect from 17 December 2008.
You will be able to view and download a copy of the eligible list of solar water heater models from the Register of solar water heaters.
Please contact Matthew Power (matthew.power@orer.gov.au or 02 6215 7700) to receive Version 27 of the Bulk Upload Workbook for Solar Water Heater for Registered Agents.
Renewable Energy Target scheme - exposure draft legislation released for public comment
Exposure draft legislation on the design of the expanded national Renewable Energy Target scheme has been released for public comment. Interested stakeholders are invited to provide comments on the exposure draft legislation by 13 February 2009.
Legislation to implement the expanded national Renewable Energy Target scheme will be in place by mid-2009.
For more information visit
November 2008
2008 MRET Compliance Update: Information for registered persons and liable parties
The 2008 compliance period is fast approaching. Please read carefully the 2008 compliance year update for important information regarding key timelines and availability of 2008 annual reporting forms for power stations, solar water heaters, small generation units, and liable parties including when to:
- Create RECs
- Register RECs
- Transfer RECs
- Surrender RECs
For more information visit - www.orer.gov.au/about/compliance-update.html
August 2008
Australian Government's Renewable Energy Target
The Australian Government is committed to ensuring 20 per cent of Australia's electricity supply comes from renewable energy by 2020. To deliver on this commitment, the Government is establishing an expanded national Renewable Energy Target (RET) scheme.
The national Renewable Energy Target scheme will:
- Increase the existing Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET) by more than four times to 45,000 gigawatt-hours in 2020.
- Contribute to meeting Australia's targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
- Provide a market incentive to accelerate uptake of Australia's abundant renewable energy sources, which include solar, wind and geothermal energy.
- Reduce red tape by bringing existing state-based targets into a single, national scheme.
For more information visit:
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