Best Electricity Plan for Solar Owners Australia 2026
Finding the best electricity plan for solar owners in Australia is one of the highest-return, lowest-effort things a solar owner can do — yet most Australians with solar haven’t reviewed their plan in over two years. With feed-in tariff rates varying from 0c to 12c/kWh and usage rates varying by a similar margin, the difference between a good and a poor plan can be $500–$1,000 per year.
Best Electricity Plan for Solar Owners Australia: Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Choosing purely on feed-in tariff rate. A plan advertising 10c/kWh for exports sounds great — until you notice it charges a 120c/day supply charge and 42c/kWh for grid electricity. Always compare total annual bill, not just the export rate.
Mistake 2: Staying on the default plan after installation. Many solar owners are on plans designed for non-solar households.
Mistake 3: Not considering time-of-use tariffs. If you can shift appliance use to daylight hours or have a battery, time-of-use tariffs can save significantly more than flat-rate tariffs.
What Makes a Good Plan for Solar Owners
Feed-in tariff rate: Aim for at least 5–8c/kWh on a flat-rate plan. Usage rate: Ranges from 28c to 50c+. A 5c/kWh lower rate saves $180/year on 10 kWh/day grid usage. Daily supply charge: Ranges from ~80c to $1.40/day — a $182/year difference. Solar-friendly billing: Credits your exports properly each billing period.
How to Find the Best Electricity Plan for Solar Owners in Australia by State
| State | Comparison tool |
|---|---|
| NSW | energymadeeasy.gov.au |
| VIC | compare.energy.vic.gov.au |
| QLD | dewa.qld.gov.au |
| SA | energymadeeasy.gov.au |
| WA | Synergy only (single retailer) |
| TAS | Aurora Energy (single retailer) |
Enter your annual kWh consumed and exported, enable the solar filter, and sort by total annual cost. This takes 15–20 minutes and is worth doing annually. For context on what feed-in tariff rates are available in your state, see our solar feed-in tariffs guide. If you have a battery, see our VPP programs guide for additional income opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch retailers without affecting my solar?
Yes. Switching doesn’t affect your panels, inverter, or metering. The process typically takes 1–3 business days.
Does a higher feed-in tariff always mean a better deal?
Not necessarily. Always compare total annual bill including supply charges and usage rates.
How often should I review my plan?
At minimum annually — and whenever your feed-in tariff rate changes, when you add a battery, or when a new VPP program becomes available.
Plan information reflects the Australian market as at September 2026. Rates change frequently — always verify using your state’s official comparison tool.
