Which electrical energy retailer presents the perfect solar feed-in tariff?

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.

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.)

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).

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.

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.

Not put in solar but? Compare solar quotes on-line now

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.

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