TL;DR — Best Solar Feed-in Tariffs (May 2026)
Solar feed-in tariffs (FIT) in Australia range from 5–12 cents per kilowatt-hour (c/kWh) depending on your retailer and state. Energy Locals and Origin offer the highest standard FIT at 7–12 c/kWh in most states. AGL and some budget retailers offer as low as 5 c/kWh — costing a typical solar household AUD 100–200/year in lost export revenue. The difference between the best and worst FIT on a 6.6 kW system exporting 3,500 kWh/year is AUD 140–245/year. Choose a plan based on total annual cost (usage charge + daily supply charge minus FIT credits), not on FIT alone — a plan with a high FIT but a high usage rate may cost more overall than a plan with a moderate FIT and a low usage rate.
How Solar Feed-in Tariffs Work
When your solar panels generate more electricity than your home consumes, the excess is exported to the grid. Your electricity retailer pays you a feed-in tariff for each kilowatt-hour exported. The FIT appears as a credit on your bill, reducing the amount you pay for the electricity you consume from the grid.
FIT rates have fallen significantly from the premium rates of the early 2010s (40–60 c/kWh under state government bonus schemes, now closed to new applicants). Modern FIT rates (5–12 c/kWh) reflect the wholesale value of electricity, which has declined as solar generation has flooded the grid during daylight hours. The trend is toward time-varying FITs where daytime exports earn less (2–5 c/kWh) and evening peak exports earn more (10–15 c/kWh), reflecting grid demand.
Best Feed-in Tariffs by State and Retailer
| Retailer | NSW FIT | VIC FIT | QLD FIT | SA FIT | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy Locals | 7–10 c/kWh | 7–10 c/kWh | 7–10 c/kWh | 7–10 c/kWh | Single-rate FIT, no time variation |
| Origin | 6–10 c/kWh | 6–10 c/kWh | 6–12 c/kWh | 6–10 c/kWh | Higher rate on Solar Boost plan |
| Red Energy | 7–8 c/kWh | 7–8 c/kWh | 7–8 c/kWh | 7–8 c/kWh | Consistent across states |
| Powershop | 7–8 c/kWh | 7–8 c/kWh | Not available | 7–8 c/kWh | Higher for first 12 months on some plans |
| Ovo Energy | 7–8 c/kWh | 7–8 c/kWh | 7–8 c/kWh | 7–8 c/kWh | Consistent, 100% carbon offset |
| AGL | 5–7 c/kWh | 5–7 c/kWh | 5–12 c/kWh | 5–7 c/kWh | Higher FIT on Solar Savers plan, lower on standard |
| Amber Electric | Wholesale | Wholesale | Wholesale | Wholesale | Passes wholesale price through — can be negative or >20 c/kWh |
All FITs shown for single-rate plans as of May 2026. Time-of-use plans may have different FIT structures. AGL and Origin offer higher FITs on specific solar-optimised plans — check the plan name before comparing.
1. Energy Locals — Highest Standard FIT
Energy Locals’ FIT of 7–10 c/kWh (varies slightly by state) is among the highest standard (non-time-varying) FITs available. Combined with the wholesale pass-through electricity rate, the total package is the best value for solar owners in most postcodes. Energy Locals does not require a specific “solar plan” — the FIT applies to all plans.
Check Energy Locals solar rates →
2. Origin — Highest on Solar-Specific Plan
Origin’s Solar Boost plan offers a FIT of up to 12 c/kWh in QLD (10 c/kWh in other states) for the first 12 months — the highest time-limited FIT in the market. After 12 months, the rate drops to the standard Origin FIT (6–7 c/kWh). The plan also includes a higher usage rate than Origin’s standard plans, offsetting some of the FIT benefit. Calculate total cost before switching.
3. Amber Electric — Wholesale FIT, Highest Potential, Highest Risk
Amber Electric passes the wholesale electricity price through to customers in both directions — you pay the wholesale price for consumption and receive the wholesale price for solar exports. On sunny weekday afternoons with low demand, the wholesale price can go negative and your FIT becomes zero or negative (you pay to export). On hot summer evenings when demand spikes and solar generation drops, the wholesale price can exceed 20 c/kWh and your evening exports earn a premium.
Amber’s model rewards customers who can shift consumption to the middle of the day (when wholesale prices are low or negative) and export in the evening peak. It is the most sophisticated solar plan but requires active management. For customers with a battery, Amber’s wholesale pass-through is the best possible FIT — but it comes with price volatility that conservative households should avoid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I choose a plan based on the highest feed-in tariff?
No. Choose based on total annual cost: (consumption × usage rate) + (365 × daily supply charge) – (exports × FIT). A plan with a FIT of 12 c/kWh but a usage rate 3 c/kWh higher than the competitor may cost more overall. Energy Made Easy or Victorian Energy Compare calculate total cost including FIT.
Does FIT include GST?
FIT is usually quoted excluding GST. The credit on your bill includes GST (the displayed rate + 10%). This matters when comparing plans — confirm whether the quoted rate is GST-inclusive or exclusive.
How many kilowatt-hours does a typical solar system export?
A 6.6 kW system in Sydney exports roughly 3,000–4,500 kWh/year depending on household consumption patterns. A household that uses more electricity during the day (working from home, pool pump running on a timer) exports less and benefits more from self-consumption than from a high FIT.
Do I need a smart meter for solar?
Yes. A smart meter or interval meter is required to measure electricity imports and exports separately. Victorian households already have smart meters. Other states may require a meter upgrade (AUD 0–150) arranged through your retailer.
Final Verdict
Energy Locals offers the best combination of low usage rates and high FIT for most solar households. Origin Solar Boost provides the highest time-limited FIT (up to 12 c/kWh in QLD). Amber Electric rewards battery owners and active energy managers with wholesale pass-through. Compare total annual cost (not just FIT) using Energy Made Easy with your actual import and export data.
Compare Energy Locals → | Compare via Econnex →
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. FIT rates based on publicly available plan data as of May 2026. Rates vary by postcode and plan; verify with your retailer.