Feed-in tariffs in Australia: How they’ve modified
Solar feed-in tariffs are preparations the place a solar system proprietor is paid for the solar energy that they ship into the grid. At one time limit, feed-in tariffs have been obligatory in each state in Australia, and the charges they supplied have been fairly beneficiant.
Much has modified, nevertheless, since we first revealed this text in 2009. State-manded feed-in tariff incentives are not accessible to new solar clients in nearly all of Australia’s states and territories. Instead, charges are largely voluntary for electrical energy retailers in most states; they often fall within the vary of 6-15¢/kWh – typically decrease than value of retail electrical energy bought from the grid. (Those who signed up for these earlier than the deadlines for the assorted feed-in tariffs might proceed to obtain the set charges in the course of the time period of their incentives.)
Because feed-in tariffs are voluntary in lots of states, solar system homeowners should store round to discover a retailer that provides them a beneficial fee.
Why feed-in tariffs aren’t the one issue you must contemplate
Everyone desires to get the best doable worth out of their solar set up; feed-in tariff charges are just one piece of the puzzle.
Until a few years in the past, feed-in tariff incentives have been just about the primary determinant within the financial viability of going solar in Australia. Since then, nevertheless, solar PV system costs have fallen significantly, which means that an funding in a solar PV system continues to be worthwhile, however methods to finest use a system has modified.
When feed-in tariffs have been larger than the price of grid electrical energy, it made sense for properties & companies to attempt to export as a lot power as doable, as this could maximise financial savings.
The shift to solar self-consumption
These days, the alternative is true: so as to maximise funding in a solar system, the system’s proprietor would see essentially the most profit from endeavouring to devour as a lot of the electrical energy that they generate as doable (‘solar self-consumption‘). This is as a result of direct consumption of any solar power generated means much less electrical energy that must be bought from the grid (at charges between 20-30¢/kWh, relying on the retailer and area), whereas exporting the power will earn system homeowners credit on their power invoice to the tune of solely 6-10¢/kWh.
What is evident is that the bias for ‘self-consumption’ just about defines the enterprise case for going solar in Australia immediately. The intention of this text is to assist solar consumers to maintain themselves knowledgeable about what their extra solar power is price, in order that they’ll make sure that they’re getting essentially the most out of their system.
Beware of excessive solar feed-in tariff ‘bait’
A better solar feed-in tariff fee out of your electrical energy retailer doesn’t essentially imply a greater total deal – just be sure you contemplate every retail electrical energy plan as an entire. You can attempt our Solar-friendly Retail Plan Comparison Tool to get a extra full image.
Solar feed-in tariff charges by state (Select)
NSW – VIC – QLD – SA – WA – ACT – NT – TAS
New South Wales
At the second, there may be no obligatory minimal feed-in tariff fee in NSW. Instead, particular person electrical energy retailers assign a price to exported solar power as they see match. Some retailers supply greater than others, and a few retailers supply nothing.
Retailer | State | Min Solar FIT | Max Solar FIT | Notable Conditions |
Mojo Power | NSW | 8.0c | 8.0c | Capped at first 5kWh per day |
Red Energy | NSW | 6.0c | 18.0c | Capped at first 5kWh per day |
Discover Energy | NSW | 6.0c | 6.0c | Capped at 300kWh per quarter |
ActewAGL | NSW | 5.5c | 8.0c | System measurement 10kW max |
AGL | NSW | 5.0c | 10.0c | System measurement 10kW max |
1st Energy | NSW | 6.0c | 6.0c | |
Momentum Energy | NSW | 0.0c | 0.0c | System measurement 10kW max |
Origin Energy | NSW | 2.0c | 10.0c | Only if purchase solar by way of Origin |
Elysian Energy | NSW | 7.0c | 7.0c | System measurement 10kW max |
CovaU | NSW | 0.0c | 8.5c | |
People Energy | NSW | 8.0c | 8.0c | |
QEnergy | NSW | 8.0c | 8.0c | |
Sumo | NSW | 5.5c | 8.0c | |
Energy Australia | NSW | 7.6c | 10.0c | System measurement 10kW max |
Energy Locals | NSW | 7.0c | 7.0c | |
Dodo | NSW | 7.0c | 7.0c | |
Circular Energy | NSW | 7.0c | 7.0c | |
Indigo Power | NSW | 7.0c | 7.0c | |
Diamond Energy | NSW | 0.0c | 0.0c | |
OVO Energy | NSW | 0.0c | 0.0c | |
Alinta Energy | NSW | 6.7c | 6.7c | Inverter measurement 5kW max |
Simply Energy | NSW | 5.5c | 5.5c | |
Tango Energy | NSW | 5.5c | 5.5c | Must set up by way of Tango and capped at 3.5kWh per day |
Powerdirect | NSW | 5.0c | 5.0c | |
Powershop | NSW | 0.0c | 13.0c | System measurement 10kW max |
Kogan Energy | NSW | 0.0c | 4.4c | |
Future X Power | NSW | 4.0c | 4.0c | |
GloBird Energy | NSW | 3.0c | 20.0c | |
Arc Energy Group | NSW | 0.0c | 0.0c | |
Amber Electric | NSW | Market linked FIT (Variable) | ||
Powerclub | NSW | Market linked FIT (Variable) | ||
Social Energy | NSW | Must set up solar and battery by way of Social Energy |
Victoria
The Victorian authorities launched a brand new minimal feed-in tariff from 1 July 2017. The fee is topic to common critiques and can fluctuate yearly. The charges within the desk under replicate the present feed-in tariffs on supply within the state.
(N.b. The Victorian authorities has just lately launched a ‘time various feed-in tariff‘ whose charges usually are not mirrored under.)
Retailer | State | Min Solar FIT | Max Solar FIT | Notable Conditions |
Dodo | VIC | 6.7c | 8.0c | |
1st Energy | VIC | 6.7c | 6.7c | |
Sumo | VIC | 6.7c | 10.2c | |
Tango Energy | VIC | 6.7c | 10.1c | Must set up by way of Tango and capped at 3.5kWh per day |
Momentum Energy | VIC | 6.7c | 6.7c | System measurement 10kW max |
Origin Energy | VIC | 6.7c | 10.0c | Only if purchase solar by way of Origin – 10kW max |
Red Energy | VIC | 6.7c | 8.0c | |
Lumo Energy | VIC | 6.7c | 6.7c | |
OVO Energy | VIC | 5.2c | 6.7c | |
Energy Australia | VIC | 7.1c | 10.0c | |
Energy Locals | VIC | 6.7c | 7.0c | |
Circular Energy | VIC | 7.0c | 7.0c | |
Indigo Power | VIC | 7.0c | 7.0c | |
Diamond Energy | VIC | 0.0c | 0.0c | |
Discover Energy | VIC | 6.7c | 6.7c | capped at 300kWh per quarter |
Powershop | VIC | 5.2c | 6.7c | |
GloBird Energy | VIC | 6.7c | 6.7c | |
QEnergy | VIC | 6.7c | 6.7c | |
AGL | VIC | 6.7c | 6.7c | System measurement 10kW max |
Alinta Energy | VIC | 6.7c | 6.7c | System measurement 5kW max |
People Energy | VIC | 6.7c | 6.7c | |
Simply Energy | VIC | 6.7c | 6.7c | |
Kogan Energy | VIC | 6.7c | 6.7c | |
CovaU | VIC | 6.7c | 6.7c | |
Powerclub | VIC | 6.7c | 6.7c |
Queensland
At the second, there may be no obligatory minimal feed-in tariff fee for southeastern Queensland (Energex community). Instead, particular person electrical energy retailers assign a price to exported solar power as they see match. Some retailers supply greater than others, and a few retailers supply nothing.
If you’re a resident of regional Queensland (Ergon community), nevertheless, there’s a obligatory minimal that you’ll obtain for exported solar power (verify the QCA’s web site for present charges).
Retailer | State | Min Solar FIT | Max Solar FIT | Notable Conditions |
Mojo Power | QLD | 5.5c | 8.0c | Capped at 5kWh per day |
Discover Energy | QLD | 6.0c | 6.0c | Capped at 300kWH per quarter |
AGL | QLD | 5.0c | 10.0c | System measurement 10kW max |
Red Energy | QLD | 5.0c | 11.5c | Capped at 5kWh per day |
1st Energy | QLD | 6.0c | 6.0c | |
CovaU | QLD | 5.5c | 5.5c | |
Momentum Energy | QLD | 0.0c | 0.0c | System measurement 10kW max |
Origin Energy | QLD | 2.0c | 10.0c | Only if purchase solar by way of Origin – 10kW max |
Elysian Energy | QLD | 7.0c | 7.0c | System measurement 5kW max |
People Energy | QLD | 8.0c | 8.0c | |
QEnergy | QLD | 8.0c | 8.0c | |
Alinta Energy | QLD | 0.0c | 8.0c | System measurement 5kW max |
GloBird Energy | QLD | 5.0c | 5.0c | |
Diamond Energy | QLD | 0.0c | 0.0c | |
Ergon Energy | QLD | 6.6c | 6.6c | |
Energy Australia | QLD | 6.6c | 10.0c | System measurement 30kW max |
Energy Locals | QLD | 6.0c | 6.0c | |
Sumo | QLD | 6.0c | 12.0c | |
Circular Energy | QLD | 6.0c | 6.0c | |
OVO Energy | QLD | 0.0c | 0.0c | |
Powerdirect | QLD | 5.0c | 5.0c | |
Tango Energy | QLD | 5.0c | 5.0c | Capped at 3.5kWh per day |
Simply Energy | QLD | 4.5c | 4.5c | |
Future X Power | QLD | 4.0c | 4.0c | |
Powershop | QLD | 0.0c | 3.5c | Feed-in tariff is just for methods as much as 10kW in NSW QLD and SA. |
Kogan Energy | QLD | 0.0c | 2.9c |
South Australia
At the second there isn’t a minimal solar feed-in fee in South Australia. Instead, electrical energy retailers set their very own feed-in charges voluntarily – so solar properties want to buy round to search out the very best deal.
Retailer | State / Territory | Min Solar FIT | Max Solar FIT | Detailed Conditions |
AGL | SA. | 5.0c | 10.0c | System measurement 10kW max |
1st Energy | SA. | 8.0c | 8.0c | System measurement 10kW max |
Discover Energy | SA. | 6.0c | 6.0c | Capped at 300kWh per Quarter |
Origin Energy | SA. | 3.0c | 10.0c | Only if purchase solar by way of Origin – 10kW max |
CovaU | SA. | 5.5c | 5.5c | |
Energy Australia | SA. | 8.5c | 10.0c | System measurement 30kW max |
Diamond Energy | SA. | 0.0c | 0.0c | |
Momentum Energy | SA. | 0.0c | 0.0c | System measurement 10kW max |
Elysian Energy | SA. | 7.0c | 7.0c | System measurement 5kW max |
Alinta Energy | SA. | 8.0c | 8.0c | System measurement 5kW max |
Powerdirect | SA. | 5.0c | 5.0c | |
OVO Energy | SA. | 0.0c | 0.0c | |
IO Energy | SA. | 3.0c | 5.0c | |
Tango Energy | SA. | 0.0c | 7.5c | Capped at 3.5kWh per day and have to be put in by Tango’s installers |
Mojo Power | SA. | 6.8c | 6.8c | Capped at 5kWh per day |
People Energy | SA. | 6.8c | 6.8c | |
QEnergy | SA. | 6.8c | 6.8c | |
Energy Locals | SA. | 6.5c | 6.5c | |
Simply Energy | SA. | 4.5c | 4.5c | |
Future X Power | SA. | 4.0c | 4.0c | |
GloBird Energy | SA. | 1.0c | 1.0c | |
Powershop | SA. | 0.0c | 3.0c | |
Red Energy | SA. | 3.0c | 3.0c | |
Lumo Energy | SA. | 3.0c | 3.0c | |
Kogan Energy | SA. | 0.0c | 2.1c | |
Nectr | SA. | System measurement 10kW max | ||
Powerclub | SA. | Market linked FIT (Variable) | ||
Amber Electric | SA. | Market linked FIT (Variable) |
Read extra about feed-in tariffs in SA
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Western Australia
At the second, the obligatory minimal feed-in tariff fee for the southwestern area of Western Australia is ready by government-owned community firm Synergy. The charges have been up to date just lately to replicate the rising penetration of solar into the grid. As of 1 November 2021 the solar feed in tariff in WA for Synergy clients is as follows:
- Solar power exported into the grid between 3pm to 9pm earns 10 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh);
- Solar power exported into the grid between 9pm and 3pm earns 2.75 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh)
This time of export stipulation would favour solar panels put in on the west-facing facet of the roof to maximise night solar power technology and battery storage which may very well be used to shift exports to later within the day.
If you’re a resident of the regional Horizon Power community, the obligatory minimal that you’ll obtain for exported solar power will rely on the place you might be. Horizon presents between 10¢/kWh and 50¢/kWh for exported solar power relying in town and whether or not native solar capability quotas have been reached already. A full record of the charges will be discovered right here. Also be aware that in some areas export management units could also be required for solar system homeowners.
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ACT
At the second, there may be no obligatory minimal feed-in tariff fee within the ACT. Instead, particular person electrical energy retailers assign a price to exported solar power as they see match.
Retailer | State | Min Solar FIT | Max Solar FIT | Detailed Conditions |
ActewAGL | ACT | 7.2c | 10.0c | System measurement 10kW max |
Origin Energy | ACT | 7.0c | 8.0c | Only if purchase solar by way of Origin – 10kW max |
Energy Australia | ACT | 7.6c | 10.0c | System measurement 10kW max |
Energy Locals | ACT | 7.0c | 7.0c | |
Red Energy | ACT | 6.0c | 6.0c | High FIT in NSW and Queensland is capped at 5kWh per day |
Discover Energy | ACT | 6.0c | 6.0c | Capped at 300kWh per quarter |
CovaU | ACT | 5.5c | 5.5c |
Northern Territory
Feed-in tariff charges within the Northern Territory will rely in your electrical energy retailer, however usually are not clearly listed in a comparator website. An inventory of outlets working within the area will be discovered right here.
Tasmania
Tasmania is technically an open marketplace for retail electrical energy, however there may be little competitors within the state to this point. Current regulated charges will be discovered on the Tasmanian Energy Regulator’s web site.
Read about solar feed-in tariffs in your state:
NSW – VIC – QLD – SA – WA – ACT – NT – TAS
Frequently requested questions on solar feed-in tariffs
Types of solar feed-in tariffs: Net and Gross ▼
As you might have heard there are two forms of feed in tariffs: Net and Gross.
Net feed in tariff – A internet feed-in tariff pays you just for the excess energy that you simply feed again into the grid. This kind of scheme operates just about all over the place in Australia now. The power that’s not exported to the grid is utilized by the home, thereby decreasing the electrical energy of the home or enterprise in query by way of prevented buy of power from the grid within the first place.
Gross feed in tariff – A gross feed in tariff pays you for each kilowatt hour of electrical energy your solar cells produce, no matter how a lot energy you devour. Generally talking, gross feed-in tariffs usually are not supplied by way of electrical energy retailers lately. These days, the overwhelming majority of feed-in preparations are internet feed-in preparations.
Form of cost for solar feed-in tariff revenues ▼
The feed in tariffs you earn are by default paid as a credit score in your electrical energy invoice, which is often settled quarterly. So the energy you export to the grid works to lower your electrical energy invoice. In the case that you simply’ve exported a lot energy that your account goes into surplus, most energy retailers let you declare the money by cheque or EFT on request (verify with yours to search out out for positive).
Is Feed in Tariff revenue taxable? ▼
Generally talking, revenue acquired to a family from a feed in tariff isn’t taxable because the system is put in for private use and never for the only intention of constructing a revenue. If, nevertheless, you might be putting in the system on a industrial premises then the revenue from the feed in tariff could also be assessed as being taxable. Please seek the advice of with a tax skilled to verify.
Will I have to pay GST on Feed in Tariff revenue? ▼
Households usually are not typically required to pay GST on their feed in tariff revenue. Businesses, nevertheless, will typically want to take action. Again – please seek the advice of with a tax skilled to verify.
Further studying of finest solar feed-in tariff by state:
Best feed-in tariffs NSW
Best feed-in tariffs VIC
Best feed-in tariffs QLD
Best feed-in tariffs SA