Which electricity retailer is offering the best solar feed-in-tariff?

So you’ve got a solar power system on your roof – or you’re thinking of buying one – and you want to get a fair deal for the solar you don’t use and send to the grid.

That’s only reasonable, isn’t it? After all, the solar power you export is being used by your neighbours who are buying it from their electricity retailer for around 25-35 cents per kilowatt hour. So why settle for a low rate if you can do better?

But here’s the thing. Electricity retailers know just how strongly many solar households feel about getting a ‘fair go’ on their solar exports. Many of them play on this by offering a juicy feed-in-tariff but then hike up the daily supply charge and/or increase their rate for the electricity you draw from the grid.

So it’s buyer beware…(that should probably be written in capital letters!)

The Victorian Solar Feed-in-Tariff

In Victoria, there’s a legislated minimum amount that electricity retailers have to pay you for your solar exports – and that’s 9.9 cents per kilowatt hour. In contrast, in NSW, it’s up to the electricity retailers to decide whether or not they will follow the benchmark guidelines set under the Voluntary Retailer Contribution which are a measly 6.9 to 8.4 cents per kilowatt hour.

So who’s offering a high feed-in-tariff in Vic?

Zooming in on the situation in Victoria, it’s probably fair to say that 9.9 cents per kilowatt hour isn’t going to get many people very excited. However, based at the time of writing (Dec 2019), retailers offering higher rates include Amaysim (up to 20c), Origin (up to 15c) and DC Power Co (up to 15c without any conditions attached.)

Is it worth it?

Is it worth switching for a better solar feed-in tariff? Well, it all depends. If, for example, you have a solar power system that’s got some west facing panels (e.g. on a split array) and is sending a good proportion of what’s being generated to the grid on weekday afternoons and into the early evening, then it could stack up well for you financially.

Of course during the winter months, that west facing array won’t be generating as much power as it would in summer and, as a result, won’t be earning as much for your solar exports.

Get the best advice

That’s where getting advice from a reputable, highly experienced solar supplier is so important. You need a solar power system that’s designed to take into account your lifestyle and electricity consumption patterns and one that will enable you to take advantage of the best available deals for the solar feed-in-tariff. And if that means designing a solar power system that’s got most of the panels facing west, well…why not?

A tip

One great place to shop around for the best electricity deals in Victoria, is a Government website called Victorian Energy Compare. It’s user-friendly and shows you straight up what the best overall deal is, as well as how much you’ll get paid for your solar exports.

Plus, they are offering a $50 Power Saving Bonus which is available until 30 June 2020. You don’t even need to switch retailer to claim this bonus. Check out all the details here.

Request a quote

To request a quote from the Hepburn Solar Bulk Buy, call us on 1300 466 274 or complete the online form on our website.

Come to an info meeting

Learn more about the Hepburn Solar Bulk Buy – and get answers to your questions – at a February info meeting in the Hepburn Shire. Check out the dates & venues here.