Compare solar electricity plans and feed-in tariffs by state

The best feed-in tariffs available can range from 10 to 17 cents per kWh depending on where you're based.

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Currently available in NSW, ACT, SA, VIC, parts of QLD, TAS & WA (only Gas). Not available in Ergon Area (QLD), NT and embedded networks or non-quotable meters.

How do I find the best solar electricity plan?

Solar owners need to take into account a few factors when choosing a solar plan for their home.

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Compare

Shopping around is key to getting yourself the best energy deal for solar. Compare plans available in your area before committing to one.

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Estimate your total power bill

Input your energy usage (check your most recent bill) to get the most accurate cost estimate for your household.

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Solar export and feed-in tariffs

How much will you be exporting back to the grid? Sustainability Victoria says that most solar systems export 50–70% of their power. If you opt for a provider with a low feed-in tariff (FiT), your power bill credits will also be small.

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Check kWh prices

Opting for the highest FiT isn't always beneficial. Some electricity plans offer a very high FiT but only to a limited amount of kilowatt-hours (kWh). Others may offer a decent FiT but a high kWh price at night. In some instances, electricity plans made specifically for solar owners have a different pricing altogether and include a higher daily fixed charge.

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Benefit period and discount conditions

Make sure to read the fine print before choosing an electricity plan. Some plans may have restrictions on the size of an eligible system. There could also be export limits or declining FiT after your benefit period has expired.

Which provider in Australia offers the best solar feed-in tariffs?

Our table lists the highest feed-in tarrifs available in each state. For most states you'll notice we've included 2 options.

Name Product AUFEG-CDR Solar feed-in tariff Apply
ENGIE - ENGIE Solar elec
VIC
12 cents per kWh
Red Energy - Living Energy Solar Saver
QLD
8 cents per kWh
EnergyAustralia - Solar Max
SA
Solar Max Superior Feed-in-Tariff:
10.00 cents/kWh exported
EnergyAustralia Retailer Feed-in Tariff for the first 12kWh per day (excl. GST if any)

Retailer Feed-in-Tariff:
4.5 cents/kWh exported
EnergyAustralia Retailer Feed-in Tariff thereafter (excl. GST if any)
Origin Energy - Go Solar Variable
ACT
Solar FIT:
11.00 cents/kWh exported
Origin offers 11 cents per KWh until a daily export limit of 14 kWh is reached. The daily export limit is averaged across your billing period (calculated by multiplying the number of days in your billing period by your daily export limit of 14 kWh).

Solar FIT:
9.00 cents/kWh exported
For any amount above the daily export, you will receive our standard retailer feed-in tariff of 9 cents per KWh
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"Solar power is more popular than it's ever been in Australia. But because of this, tariffs from the power companies aren't necessarily what they used to be. So before you automatically opt for a feed-in tariff, make sure you check whether you'd be better off on your bill using it yourself, or storing it."

Editor

That's because energy consumption habits vary by household. You might benefit from a flat FiT that's not the highest around but still good. Or you may prefer the highest FiT for a certain amount per day followed by a lower FiT per kWh for the remainder of the day.

High solar feed-in tariffs vs usage rates: Which is better?

Higher feed-in tariffs can look attractive on paper but most plans with higher FiTs likely have a more costly usage rate. This means you'll end up paying more to buy additional energy from the grid if you ever need to.

To find the best feed-in tariff for your home, you need to consider the following:

  • How much grid energy you use per day. The more power you pay for, the more important it is to have a low usage rate.
  • How much solar you export. If you don't buy much power but export heaps to the grid, a high FiT could drive down your bill.
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Here are the benefits and drawbacks of seeking out higher feed-in tariffs:

If you're worried that feed-in tariffs won't really cover your costs, consider investing in a solar battery to reduce your reliance on grid power. These extend the time it takes for your solar system to pay itself off but can be an excellent long-term investment.

Good to know. FiTs are less important than they used to be. Back in the day, you would be paid up to 60c/kWh for each bit of energy exported. These days, you'll be lucky to get paid more than 10c/kWh in most states.

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Frequently asked questions

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To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Tim Bennett as part of our fact-checking process.
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Written by

Editor I Tech and utilities expert

Mariam Gabaji is an editor and tech and utilities expert at Finder with 12+ years of experience as a journalist. She's committed to helping households cut through the industry jargon and save money on their bills. Her expertise is often featured in media including the ABC, Yahoo Finance, 9News, 7News, A Current Affair, The Guardian, SBS and Money Magazine. See full bio

Mariam's expertise
Mariam has written 303 Finder guides across topics including:
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