FEED-IN TARIFFS

Solar Feed-in Tariffs Explained

A general explanation of how solar feed-in tariffs work in Australia and what affects the rate.

Solar Feed-in Tariffs Explained

A feed-in tariff is the rate an electricity retailer pays for solar electricity your system exports to the grid rather than using at home. This page is general information — rates vary and change over time.

How feed-in tariffs work

Feed-in tariff rates are set by individual retailers (within limits set by some state regulators) and are usually shown as a separate credit line on your electricity bill, offsetting your usage charges rather than being paid out as cash in most cases.

What affects the rate

Feed-in tariffs vary by retailer, by state, and by your electricity plan, and have generally trended down over time as solar uptake has grown and wholesale electricity market dynamics have shifted.

Comparing retailers

Because feed-in tariff rates and usage charges both affect your total bill, comparing retailers on feed-in tariff alone can be misleading — it's worth comparing the overall estimated bill for your specific usage and export pattern.

Key takeaways

Feed-in tariffs are only one part of what makes solar worthwhile — pairing solar with a battery or shifting usage to daytime hours can sometimes be more valuable than chasing the highest advertised feed-in rate.

Before you decide

This page is general information only, not a quote or a guarantee of any rebate or saving. Always compare written quotes from Clean Energy Council accredited installers and check current scheme details on energy.gov.au.

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