Solar Feed-In Tariff Comparison Guide
A higher feed-in tariff can be offset by a higher import rate, daily supply charge or export cap. Compare the whole annual bill for your own import and export profile, then confirm every current rate and condition with the official government comparator and the retailer's plan document.
Current-rate verification checklist
📊 FiT vs Usage Rate Trade-off
A higher feed-in tariff can be offset by higher import or supply charges. Calculate the total annual cost with the same import and export profile for every offer.
🔋 Battery + Wholesale
Wholesale-linked export offers can be volatile and may include negative as well as positive prices. Model the downside, battery behaviour, fees and current contract terms before comparing one with a fixed tariff.
💡 Key Takeaway
There is no universal best solar plan. A high-export household may benefit from a higher feed-in tariff, while a household that imports more electricity may save more with lower usage and supply charges. Model both scenarios, then confirm current rates, eligibility and export caps through the relevant government comparator and the retailer's current plan document before switching.
How Feed-In Tariffs Actually Work
A compatible meter records electricity imported from and exported to the grid. The retailer applies the current plan's import charges and export credit rules to those readings. Self-consumed solar avoids an import at the applicable retail rate, while exported energy earns only the plan's eligible feed-in credit. Use your own interval data where available and confirm how the current plan treats export caps, time bands and credits.
Why Feed-In Tariffs Change
Feed-in arrangements can change with state policy, network constraints, wholesale conditions and retailer product settings. Historical scheme rates are not evidence of a current offer. Treat export credit as one input in a whole-bill model and verify the current regulator guidance, retailer document and eligibility rules before relying on it.
Model Self-Consumption Before Changing Plans
If safe and practical, shifting flexible appliance use into periods of solar generation can reduce grid imports. The result depends on your generation curve, appliance load, tariff periods and export rate. Use meter or inverter data to test the scenario; do not assume a generic appliance schedule or savings figure applies to your home.
State-by-State Verification
NSW and QLD
Check the current government comparator, retailer price documents and distribution-network export settings for the supply address. Do not infer one postcode's rate or limit applies statewide.
VIC
Check the Essential Services Commission guidance and Victorian Energy Compare for current minimum rules, offer rates, time bands and eligibility.
SA
Check current state guidance, retailer documents and the local network's export conditions. Model fixed and wholesale-linked offers separately.
WA
Check the current Synergy or Horizon Power scheme document for your address, including time bands, eligibility, meter requirements and export limits.
Export Limits and Three-Phase Homes
Inverter capacity and export limits are network- and connection-specific. Before changing a system, ask the distribution network or an appropriately qualified installer to confirm the approved connection, phase configuration, dynamic or fixed export limit and any upgrade requirements. Model battery economics with current quotes, tariffs, degradation assumptions and your interval data.
Virtual Power Plants and Future Trends
A virtual power plant may allow an operator to charge or discharge a participating battery under specified events and conditions. Compare the current contract, bill credits, event controls, battery warranty implications, exit terms and compatible hardware. Wholesale-linked products can expose customers to both positive and negative prices, so model volatility rather than relying on a promotional example.