Solar economics
Solar feed-in tariffs in 2026: why self-consumption matters
A plain-English guide to solar feed-in tariffs in Australia in 2026, why export rates are lower than import rates, and how to use more of your own solar.
Short answer
A solar feed-in tariff is the rate your retailer pays for excess solar sent to the grid. In 2026, the useful money is usually not in exporting more; it is in using more solar inside the home because exported solar is often worth much less than electricity bought back later.
Start a quoteWhat is a solar feed-in tariff?
A feed-in tariff is the amount an electricity retailer pays when your solar system exports excess energy to the grid. The rate is set by the retailer in most places, and plans vary.
That means the best solar outcome is not always the plan with the biggest advertised feed-in rate. Daily charges, import rates, time-of-use periods and battery settings all matter.
Why are feed-in tariffs lower now?
Australia has a lot of rooftop solar producing during the middle of the day. When many homes export at the same time, daytime exported energy can be less valuable to the grid than evening energy.
Victoria has described the same relationship publicly: more rooftop solar has increased supply and reduced demand in the middle of the day, lowering the value of daytime exports.
Self-consumption usually beats exporting
If you export a kilowatt-hour at a low feed-in rate and later buy electricity back at a higher retail rate, the household gives up value.
Running flexible loads during daylight, such as pool pumps, dishwashers, EV charging or hot water, can improve the result without changing the hardware.
A battery changes the feed-in tariff question
A battery can store excess solar for evening use. That can be more valuable than exporting at a low rate, especially on time-of-use tariffs with higher evening prices.
The battery still needs to be sized carefully. Storing every possible export is not automatically better if the extra capacity is expensive or rarely used.
What to ask before choosing a plan
Ask for the import rate, feed-in rate, daily charge, time-of-use windows, demand charges if any, and whether the plan changes when a battery or VPP is added.
A quote should model savings using the tariff you are likely to be on, not an optimistic tariff that makes the payback look prettier.
Sources
Primary references used for this guide.
Rebate settings and certificate values change. Use these sources for live program rules before accepting a quote.
FAQ
Is the highest feed-in tariff the best solar plan?
Not always. A high export rate can be outweighed by higher import rates, daily charges or tariff conditions. Compare the whole bill, not only the feed-in rate.
Why does self-consumption matter?
Self-consumed solar avoids buying electricity from the grid. That avoided import is often worth more than the payment received for exported solar.
Can a battery help with low feed-in tariffs?
Yes, if the home has enough evening usage and the battery is priced and sized well. The battery should be modelled against the actual tariff and usage pattern.
Related guides
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Is solar worth it in Australia in 2026?
For most Australian homes, yes. A well-designed solar system typically pays for itself in three to six years, and every year after that is money saved. But whether solar is worth it depends less on system size than on how much of its power you use yourself.
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How to reduce your electricity bill with solar
Solar reduces bills most when you use more of your own generation. The winning formula is right-sized panels, daytime load shifting, a sensible tariff and a battery only when the numbers or backup goals justify it.
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Can solar give you a zero dollar electricity bill?
A zero dollar bill is possible for some homes in some billing periods, but it is not a promise. It depends on usage, weather, tariffs, export rules, fixed charges, battery behaviour and how the household uses energy.