What are solar Feed in Tariffs?
A solar Feed in Tariff is the name for money you get paid when your solar panels send energy to the grid. This happens automatically when you don’t use all the power your panels are making.
Solar feed in tariffs are offered in many different Aussie states. The way they are offered is different depending on the location. This multitude of different solar feed in tariffs (and structures) makes it way more complex than it needs to be. Here we will give you an idea of what solar feed in tariffs are and the current solar feed in tariffs list for Australia.
Solar Feed In Tariff Summary Table
| NSW | QLD | VIC | WA | NT | TAS | ACT | SA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State-sponsored FiT | $0 | $0 | $0.112 | 2 buyback schemes | $0 | $0.055 | $0 | $0 |
| Retailer FiT | $0.12 | $0.12 | $0.12 | Determined by retailer | Residential Customers: $0.2688/kWh Commercial Customers: $0.3128 | Determined by retailer | $0.10 | Determined by retailer |
| Total FiT | $0.12 | $0.12 | $0.232 | TBC | As per retailer | $0.055 | $0.10 | $0 |
| Max System Size | 5kW | 5kW | 100kW | 5kW (synergy - residential) / 100kW (Synergy - commercial) / Size limit varies for Horizon customers | Up to 30kW before negotiation | Single Phase: 10kW 3 Phase: 30kW | 100kW | NA |
Types of solar Feed in Tariff
There are 2 types of solar feed in tariffs. Each state also has its own policy (they love to complicate things). The 2 types are:
- State solar Feed in Tariffs – these are schemes like the QLD solar bonus scheme where the state government pays you money for your solar power. And;
- Retailer solar Feed in Tariffs – these are tariffs which retailers will sometimes pay depending how generous they are. It can be well worth the effort finding a “solar friendly” retailer.
Australian solar Feed in Tariffs List (By State)
QLD
QLD solar feed in tariffs
State feed in tariff scheme: None
Retailer solar feed in tariff: Up to $0.10/kWh
Maximum system size (for state scheme): 5kW
NSW
NSW solar feed in tariffs
State feed in tariff scheme: None
Retailer solar feed in tariff: Up to $0.10/kWh
Maximum system size (for state scheme): 5kW
VIC
VIC solar feed in tariffs
State feed in tariff scheme: $0.062 (changing to $0.112 in July 2017)
Retailer solar feed in tariff: Up to $0.10/kWh
Maximum system size (for state scheme): 100kW
More information about the Victorian solar feed in tariffs scheme
ACT
ACT solar feed in tariffs
State feed in tariff scheme: None
Retailer solar feed in tariff: Up to $0.10/kWh
Maximum system size (for state scheme): 100kW
More information about the (expired) ACT solar feed in tariffs scheme
WA
WA solar feed in tariffs
State feed in tariff scheme: 2 Buyback schemes in operation
Retailer solar feed in tariff: Determined by retailer
Maximum system size (for state scheme):
- Synergy network (residential): max 5kW
- Synergy network (commercial): Unlimited
- Horizon network: Size limit varies by location
TAS
TAS solar feed in tariffs
State feed in tariff scheme: $0.055
Retailer solar feed in tariff: Determined by retailer
Maximum system size (for state scheme):
- Single Phase: 10kW
- 3 Phase: 30kW
SA
SA solar feed in tariffs
State feed in tariff scheme: None
Retailer solar feed in tariff: Determined by retailer
Maximum system size (for state scheme): First 45kWhs each day (expired scheme)
More information about the (expired) SA solar feed in tariff scheme
NT
NT solar feed in tariffs
State feed in tariff scheme: None
Retailer solar feed in tariff: Determined by retailer example (Jacana Energy):
- Residential Customers: $0.2688/kWh
- Commercial Customers: $0.3128
- Larger systems negotiate a custom rate – see this page for more details
Maximum system size (for state scheme): System sizes 30kW and up require a feed in tariff to be negotiated.
Note that feed in tariffs are subject to change fairly regularly. This page was last updated in June 2017.
Solar electricity retailers
Here are some of the electricity retailers in Australia. Some of them might offer solar feed in tariffs:
| Company | Website | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| AGL | www.agl.com.au | 131 245 |
| Australian Power & Gas | www.australianpowerandgas.com.au | 133 298 |
| Click Energy | www.clickenergy.com.au | 1800 775 929 |
| Diamond Energy | www.diamondenergy.com.au | 1300 838 009 |
| Dodo Power & Gas | www.dodo.com.au | 133 636 |
| Energy Australia | www.energyaustralia.com.au | 133 466 |
| Lumo Energy | www.lumoenergy.com.au | 1300 115 866 |
| Momentum Energy | www.momentumenergy.com.au | 1800 794 824 |
| Origin Energy | www.originenergy.com.au | 132 463 |
| Power Direct | www.powerdirect.com.au | 1300 307 966 |
| QEnergy | www.qenergy.com.au | 1300 448 535 |
| Red Energy | www.redenergy.com.au | 131 806 |
| Sanctuary Energy | www.sanctuaryenergy.com.au | 1800 109 099 |
| Simply Energy | www.simplyenergy.com.au | 1800 009 147 |
There are differences between the retailers – especially when it comes to the solar feed in tariff offered. This can have major implications to your solar power savings. But don’t forget to check on power rates as well.
Solar Feed In Tariff Example – 5kW solar power system
If you install a 5kW solar power system on your roof, and you use on average 23kWhs per day, here is what a difference feed in tariffs can make:
A 5kW system generates an average of 21kWhs per day. Your daytime savings will be how much solar power you use during the day. Let’s say 9kWhs are used during daylight hours and the remainder (12kWhs) is sent to the grid (exported).
Your savings from the solar then will be different based on how much your retailer will give you for your feed-in-tariff:
- Base savings: 9 x $0.29403 x 365 = $965.89 per year
- FiT savings at 6c: 12 x $0.06 x 365 = $262.80 per year
- at 8c: 12 x $0.08 x 365 = $350.40 per year
- Or at 10c: 12 x $0.10 x 365 = $438.00 per year
So choose your electricity retailer carefully! It can make a big difference to how much your solar power system will return and how much it delivers to your wallet.
State-sponsored solar FiTs
Many state governments used to offer generous feed in tariffs of 44c, 60c etc. per kWh for energy sent to the grid in Australia. Most state solar feed in tariffs are now gone. Retailers (Origin Energy, AGL etc.) still give you a little bit for solar power. If you’re not looking to make money and just want to save on electricity costs, solar power is still a very attractive option.