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Compare solar energy plans in Australia
*Based on a bill comparison at current usage.
Compare solar energy plans in Australia
*Based on a bill comparison at current usage.
Written by
Rachel Gregg
Edited by
Ellie Garran
Reviewed by
Julia PaszkaSee our range of Energy Providers
iSelect does not compare all providers in the market or all plans offered by our partners in your area. Not all plans or special offers are available to all customers and some may only be available over the phone or on the website. Learn more.
What is a solar energy plan?
A solar energy plan is available for homes that get some of their power through the energy generated from their solar panels and are able to export it to the main grid with a feed-in tariff (FiT). These plans work differently from standard energy plans since these households don’t need to rely on power from the main grid as much. Instead, they can use the solar energy they have first, sell any excess and either avoid power from the main grid or have it as a backup source once the sun goes down.
Why should I compare solar energy plans?
Comparing solar energy plans can help maximise your bills and any feed-in tariff (FiT) you might export to the grid. Comparing plans is important to get the most value from your solar power system, since some could offer better FiTs or lower daily electricity rates (and your overall energy bill) compared to others. Lining up all your options from different energy providers might be the secret to more savings and value from your solar panel system.
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What should I consider when comparing solar energy plans?
When comparing energy plans, you should think about how much energy you use and when, the value of the feed-in tariffs you get for selling excess power, contract terms and whether you value access to sustainable power options that match your power use from renewable sources, like GreenPower. You should also consider your existing solar setup, since homes with a home battery could have different needs than those that only have panels. If you’re installing solar for the first time, you should also check whether there are any rebates or discounts available.
For most solar-powered homes, a plan that caters to your energy needs and solar setup is a given. But finding the right plan isn’t just about soaking up the rays; it’s also about making the most of what you generate. Unlike traditional electricity plans that simply track what you use, solar plans focus on how much energy you need to buy and how much you can sell back per kilowatt hour.
Feed-in tariffs
A feed-in tariff (FiT) is what you get paid for sending excess solar power back to the electricity grid. But FiTs aren’t a one-size-fits-all rate; they vary based on your plan information, your retailer and where you live. You should also consider the fact that FiTs aren’t as high as they used to be, so some solar customers might find that self-consumption gives them more savings than exporting solar to the grid.
Solar battery
A solar battery lets you store excess solar-generated energy for later, reducing your reliance on the main grid. This, in turn, can help lower electricity bills, but it all depends on how you use your power. You don’t need a battery to get a solar energy plan, but for some homes, it could help you get more value. You can also become part of a virtual power plant, where you share your stored power with others in the community to lessen the strain on the grid and help things run a little greener.
Just keep in mind that batteries only store your system’s excess power, so if your solar setup doesn’t generate enough, your battery could just sit there looking pretty (and pricey, thanks to their high up-front costs).
Usage
To see whether a solar energy plan works for you, it’s useful to line it up against your electricity usage habits and what your system can realistically generate. Understanding the time of day you use your solar power and how much you rely on the main grid can help you find a plan that works for your usage habits instead of against them.
You should also think about the supply and usage charges included and how they’ll match your budget. You could find that some plans come with higher charges for high-demand periods if you ever do need to hop back onto the main grid. No matter your solar situation, the goal should be to find a plan that works with your usage patterns and makes solar a worthwhile investment for you.
Solar discounts and rebates
There are a handful of solar rebates available to help lower the high up-front cost of installing solar. If you’re planning on installing a new solar system, it’s worthwhile checking whether you’re eligible for any of them before getting started. The Australian Government offers the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, which can help cover part of the up-front costs of your solar panels or battery; the exact amount is based on the power or size of your solar setup and your location.
Some states also offer extra solar incentives, like rebates for solar batteries and interest-free loans, so be sure to check what’s available where you live to get an added bonus for your switch to solar.
Contract terms and exit fees
Some solar plans come with lock-in contracts, meaning you’ll pay a fee if you decide to switch before your term is up. Others might have extra charges for things like paper bills or paying late. Learning all the ins and outs of your solar contract can make the difference between a good and a great plan. It can also help you avoid being surprised with extra fees when you compare plans down the track.
Green energy options
When signing up for a solar energy plan, it’s worth considering how your provider sources the electricity you might need to pull from the grid when needed. While solar energy is renewable, most homes still rely on the main grid, so if sustainability is a big motivation, then it’s worth looking into a provider that offers GreenPower options, which match your power usage with renewable energy added to the grid, or that supports renewable projects or carbon offsets.
Helpful tip
Curious about feed-in tariffs? Rates can vary between energy retailers, so it pays to shop around. If you’re in a position to add a battery for less reliance on the grid and to use more of the energy you generate, you won’t have to worry about these market prices as much. With the current battery rebates, adding a battery and enhancing your solar setup is more doable than ever.
Julia Paszka
General Manager – Utilities & Credit Cards
How much will my solar feed-in tariff (FiT) be?
As a ballpark figure, the maximum solar FiT for Australia could average at around 7 cents per kWh, depending on your electricity provider and your electricity usage. But how much you’ll actually earn from your FiT depends on where you’re located, the rate your electricity retailer offers, the type of tariff energy plan you have and how you use your energy. You could have a solar panel system that reaches the FiT’s maximum eligible size, or you might have a solar battery that only exports excess energy at the end of the day. The exact way you use energy and FiTs will factor into how much you get back.
It’s important to note that FiTs have been falling for the past few years. This means they won’t be able to deliver as much value to homes as they did 5 or more years ago. For most homes, FiTs are most valuable if your panels produce more energy than you use. This way, you’re saving on energy costs with the potential to earn a little bit extra for any leftover energy.
Location
Where you live (your distributor) and the energy provider you’re with will determine your feed-in tariff (FiT) rate. Some states have a regulated rate, like in Queensland, where the FiT is set each year by the Queensland Competition Authority. In other states, these rates are determined by energy providers.
Tariff type
Different types of energy plans treat feed-in tariffs (FiTs) differently. For example, in Victoria, you can choose between a flat rate and two time-of-use options. The tariff you’ve chosen for your electricity plan and how you use your solar power alongside this will determine how much you’ll get back from your FiT.
Solar inverter size
Feed-in tariffs (FiT) come with capacity limits for solar system size. If you exceed your capacity limit, you might not be eligible to use a FiT with your solar power. In South Australia, for example, solar panel systems generally need an inverter capacity of no more than 10 kilovatt amperes (kVA) for single‑phase connections or 30 kVA for three‑phase connections to take advantage of a FiT.
Battery storage
If you have a solar battery within your solar setup, you can still take advantage of your feed-in tariff (FiT) by selling your excess power after your home has used what it needs. This means getting the most value from all components of your solar system. Some energy providers even offer higher FiT rates for exporting stored energy during peak hours.
Are high feed-in tariffs always worth it?
No, high feed-in tariffs (FiTs) aren’t always worth it, especially now that their value is decreasing each year. If your home creates more energy than it uses, a high FiT could create some extra savings. But FiTs are often bundled with higher rates for usage and supply charges when you need to buy back from the grid. This means that if you use more electricity than you produce, you could be better off with a lower FiT.
It might help to switch your thinking about solar energy to be more about saving money than making it or using what you have (self-consuming) rather than selling it all. That way, you’ll be banking more direct savings on your energy bills.
Frequently asked questions
How do I start using solar energy?
To start using solar energy, you’ll need to figure out how solar fits with your current energy usage habits, budget and roof. Then you’ll need to work out which solar panel size will work for your home, estimate the costs and get some quotes from reputable installers. You should also check for any rebates and start comparing from the range of solar power energy plans available.
When it comes to your actual solar system, there are a few components that will make up your setup.
- Solar panels: these bad boys are the star of your system’s show. They capture light and turn it directly into direct current (DC) electricity. Think of them like the motor powering your little sun-powered home factory.
- A grid-interactive inverter: this is the brains behind the operation. The inverter turns DC electricity into 230-volt alternating current electricity, so your appliances can actually use it. Just be aware that even if the sun is shining, when the grid goes down, your inverter will go down with it too.
- A meter: this measures the electricity coming in and out of the grid. If you have a smart meter, you’re all set on this one.
- A battery: this isn’t a necessary item, but it’s a good addition to think about. A solar battery can store that extra power for your home to use once the sun’s down.
Is it better to use excess solar electricity or sell it?
Since feed-in tariffs (FITs) are decreasing, with Victoria’s dropping by more than 99% since 2018, it’s now more cost-efficient to use the solar energy your panels generate than to sell it back to the grid through FITs. This is because the value of solar exports won’t be as great as it would’ve been years before, for example, Victoria’s feed-in tariff rate dropped from $11.3 cents in 2017–18 to $0.04 in 2025–26.1Essential Services Commission – Minimum electricity feed-in tariff to apply from 1 July 2017, Minimum electricity feed-in tariff to apply from 1 July 2025
It also depends on how you use your power. Some people might want to make the most of their solar electricity as it’s being generated, using their energy-hungry appliances during the day via solar power (also called solar self-consumption) rather than paying for peak electricity later. For others, it’s worth investing in expensive solar batteries so they can store their solar-generated electricity to use after the sun clocks out for the day. The way you use your energy will help you decide which way to best use it to your advantage.
What solar rebates can I get?
The Australian Government’s Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme is available across Australia. If you’re eligible, you can receive small-scale technology certificates, which give you money back for every megawatt hour generated. The Cheaper Homes Battery is also available and can offer a discount of around 30% on the up-front cost of your solar battery. Depending on where you live in Australia, you could also be eligible for state or territory-based incentives like solar battery rebates, zero-interest loans for renewables and more.
Why are solar feed-in tariffs (FiTs) falling?
Solar FiTs are mainly falling due to the growth in rooftop solar installations across Australia. With over 4.3 million solar-powered homes in Australia, more excess solar energy is being sent back to the grid than before. This excess solar is being pushed back during peak solar power hours, which makes it less valuable, dipping wholesale prices and devaluing this excess power for retailers.
When you consider that FiTs were first created to encourage solar installation in homes, it’s clear that they’re not really needed anymore. The new way to get value from your solar power is using your generated power first or storing it for use later in the night when the grid gets overloaded.
What solar system size do I need?
The exact size you’ll need for your home depends on your roof space, sun exposure, budget, electricity usage needs and the rates you pay through your energy plan. That said, a 6.6 kWh solar panel system is a common choice for Australian homes, as it can provide adequate power for average-sized homes. If you want to add a solar battery to your system, you’ll also need to think about how much energy you want to store and which battery will work compatibly with your current solar panels.
More specifically, it’s worth considering:
- Budget: Bigger systems generate more power, but they also cost more up-front to install.
- Electricity usage: A family with three kids and a pool? You’ll need more panels than a couple with a tiny apartment.
- Your roof space and sunlight exposure: No sun? No fun. More direct sunlight = more power.
- Electricity costs & feed-in tariffs: The price you pay (or get credited) for power makes a difference.
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iSelect does not compare all energy providers or plans in the market. The availability of plans may change from time to time, depending on who iSelect’s providers are and what plans they make available to iSelect. Not all plans made available from iSelect providers may be compared by iSelect either due to commercial arrangements, area or availability, so not all plans or providers compared by iSelect will be available to all customers. Some plans and special offers are available only from iSelect’s contact centre or website. Energy plans are available only for properties located in eligible areas of Victoria, New South Wales, South East Queensland, South Australia and ACT. Click here to view iSelect’s range of providers.