For Australian homeowners with rooftop solar, securing a competitive feed-in tariff (FiT) in 2026 is crucial for maximising the financial return on your investment. While the primary benefit of solar remains self-consumption – using your generated electricity to offset expensive grid power – a strong FiT can significantly boost your savings by crediting you for excess energy exported to the grid.
In 2026, the solar market is dynamic, with FiT rates varying widely by state, electricity retailer, and even time of day. Some innovative plans offer rates as high as 45 cents per kilowatt-hour (c/kWh) during peak evening periods, while others provide minimal returns for daytime exports. This comprehensive guide details the best available FiTs across Australia and offers strategies to ensure you get the most from your solar system.
Understanding Solar Feed-in Tariffs in 2026
A solar feed-in tariff is a credit you receive on your electricity bill for any surplus solar energy your system generates and sends back to the grid. These rates are typically expressed in cents per kilowatt-hour (c/kWh). Historically, FiTs were much higher to incentivise early solar adoption, but as solar has become mainstream and daytime grid supply increased, rates have generally declined.
Crucially, the value of self-consuming your solar power is almost always greater than the FiT you receive for exporting it. Retail electricity prices can be five to six times higher than current feed-in tariffs. This means every kWh you use directly saves you the full retail price (e.g., 25-35c/kWh), whereas exporting it only earns you the FiT (e.g., 5-10c/kWh). Maximising self-consumption should always be your first priority.
Gross vs. Net FiTs
Most Australian households operate on a Net Feed-in Tariff system. This means you are only paid for the excess electricity exported after your home has consumed what it needs. Gross Feed-in Tariffs, which paid for all generated electricity regardless of consumption, are now rarely offered, with legacy schemes largely expired. [cite: 19, 46 in previous output]
Flat vs. Time-Varying FiTs
Many retailers now offer time-varying (or peak-and-off-peak) FiTs, which provide higher rates during periods of high grid demand (typically late afternoon and evening) and lower rates (sometimes even 0c/kWh) during periods of high solar saturation (midday). These plans are particularly beneficial for households with battery storage, allowing them to store excess solar during low-FiT periods and export it when rates are highest.
Best Solar Feed-in Tariffs by State: October 2026
Here’s a breakdown of current competitive FiT offerings across major Australian states. Note that rates are subject to change, and conditions (like daily caps or system size limits) often apply to the highest rates. Always verify the full plan details with the retailer.
| State/Territory | Retailer (Plan Example) | Max FiT (c/kWh) | Conditions/Notes (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | Amber Electric (Wholesale Variable) | Up to 25.27 (variable) | Wholesale prices, can be much higher during peak demand. Ausgrid network export charges 10am-3pm. |
| CovaU (Time-of-Use) | 18 (5pm-9pm) | 5c/kWh at other times. | |
| EnergyAustralia (Solar Max) | Up to 10 (first 10 kWh/day) | Then standard FiT applies. | |
| OVO Energy (The One Plan) | 7 | Flat rate. | |
| Origin Energy (Solar Boost Variable) | 8-8.66 (first 8 kWh/day) | Then 3c/kWh. Varies by network. [cite: 21 in previous output] | |
| AGL (Residential Solar Savers) | 8 (first 8 kWh/day) | Then 3c/kWh. Varies by network. [cite: 26 in previous output, 40 in previous output] | |
| Red Energy (Market Offer Flat Solar Rate) | 2.5 (Endeavour/Essential Energy) | Offers Time of Use options. | |
| Victoria | Flow Power (Flow Home/Happy Hour) | Up to 45 (5:30pm-7:30pm) | 0c/kWh at other times. Requires careful export management. |
| EnergyAustralia, AGL, Alinta Energy | Up to 8 (max rate) | Often capped or time-of-use dependent. | |
| OVO Energy (The One Plan) | 7 | Flat rate. | |
| Origin Energy (Solar Boost) | 5 (first 8 kWh/day) | Then 1c/kWh. [cite: 21 in previous output] | |
| CovaU | 4.9 (min rate) | ||
| Queensland | GloBird Energy | 10 | SE QLD (Energex) only. |
| Sumo | 8.8 | SE QLD (Energex) only. | |
| Origin Energy | 8-8.66 (first 8 kWh/day) | Then 2-3c/kWh. Varies by network. [cite: 21 in previous output] | |
| AGL (Residential Solar Savers) | 8 (first 8 kWh/day) | Then 2c/kWh. Energex only. [cite: 26 in previous output] | |
| Ergon Energy (Regional QLD) | 6.006 (regulated) | Fixed rate for regional QLD. | |
| South Australia | EnergyAustralia (average) | 5.5 | Highest average rate. |
| Origin Energy (average) | 5.0 | ||
| OVO Energy | 7 | Flat rate. | |
| AGL (Residential Solar Savers) | 8 (first 8 kWh/day) | Then 1c/kWh. [cite: 26 in previous output] | |
| Red Energy | 2 | Flat rate. | |
| Western Australia | Synergy (DEBS) | Up to 10 (peak) | Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme. [cite: 14 in previous output] |
| ACT | Origin Energy | 10 (first 8 kWh/day) | Then 5c/kWh. [cite: 21 in previous output] |
“In 2026, feed-in tariffs across Australia sit in the low single digits to low teens of cents per kilowatt-hour depending on your state and retailer, well below what you pay to buy that same power back. The money is in self-consumption.”
Maximising Your Export Revenue in 2026
Chasing the highest headline FiT rate isn’t always the best strategy. Here’s how to truly maximise your solar export revenue:
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Prioritise Self-Consumption: The most valuable kWh is the one you don’t buy from the grid. Run appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, and pool pumps during daylight hours when your solar system is generating. This can save you 25-35c/kWh, far more than any FiT.
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Consider a Solar Battery: A home battery system allows you to store excess solar energy generated during the day and use it during the evening peak, reducing your reliance on expensive grid power and potentially enabling you to export during high-value time-varying FiT windows. Popular options include the Tesla Powerwall 3 (around $12,000-$17,000 installed for 13.5 kWh) or Sungrow SBH batteries. [cite: 11, 28, 32, 43 in previous output] You can claim a federal rebate of approximately $252 per kWh of battery storage installed, up to $3,800 for popular household batteries, or up to $6,416 for larger systems (for the first 50 kWh), under the Cheaper Home Batteries Program. [cite: 8, 11, 14 in previous output] This rebate reduces from January 1, 2027. Learn more about battery rebates in our guide: Secure Your $3,500+ Home Battery Rebate: Federal Discount Reduces Jan 1, 2027.
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Explore Time-Varying Tariffs (ToU): Many retailers now offer plans with higher FiTs during evening peak periods (e.g., 4pm-9pm). If you have a battery, you can export during these times to earn significantly more. For example, Flow Power in Victoria offers up to 45c/kWh for exports between 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM. Red Energy in Victoria is also introducing a ‘Smart Rate’ structure from July 2026 with lower midday rates and a shorter evening peak.
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Join a Virtual Power Plant (VPP): VPPs connect your home battery with others to form a network that can support the grid. In exchange, you often receive higher payments or incentives. NSW offers upfront incentives for VPP connection from July 1, 2026, and South Australia has REPS VPP incentives up to $2,050. [cite: 8, 14 in previous output, 17 in previous output]
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Compare Total Plan Costs: A high FiT might be offset by higher daily supply charges or usage rates for grid electricity. Always compare the total estimated annual cost of a plan, considering your import and export patterns, not just the FiT. Websites like Energy Made Easy and Victorian Energy Compare are invaluable tools for this.
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Regularly Review Your Plan: Retailers change their offers frequently, especially around July each year (when the AER’s Default Market Offer and state-specific benchmarks are updated). Proactively compare plans annually to ensure you’re on the most competitive deal for your household.
Solar System Considerations for 2026
Investing in a high-quality solar system is fundamental to maximising your generation and, consequently, your potential export revenue. A standard 6.6kW solar system in Australia typically costs between $4,000 and $8,500 after the federal Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) discount. Larger 10kW systems, increasingly popular for homes with high energy consumption or EVs, range from $7,000 to $10,500 after STCs.
Key components to consider include:
- Solar Panels: Brands like Jinko, Trina, SunPower, and REC offer various efficiencies. While premium panels (e.g., SunPower, REC) can cost $250-$300+ each, budget-friendly options (e.g., Jinko, Trina) are often under $150 and offer strong performance.
- Inverters: The heart of your solar system. Top brands in Australia include Fronius, Sungrow, SMA, Huawei, Enphase (microinverters), and SolarEdge. Hybrid inverters from Sungrow or Sigenergy are popular for seamless battery integration. [cite: 18, 36, 38 in previous output, 41 in previous output, 43 in previous output] For complex or shaded roofs, microinverters from Enphase offer panel-level optimisation. [cite: 18, 43 in previous output]
- Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs): These federal incentives reduce the upfront cost of your solar installation. The value of STCs decreases annually until the scheme ends in 2030, so installing sooner can mean greater savings. [cite: 8, 27 in previous output, 35 in previous output] Your installer typically applies this discount directly to your quote.
For more detailed information on solar costs and rebates, refer to our guides: Your 2026 Guide: Claim Up To $15,000 in Energy Rebates Across Australia and N-Type vs. P-Type Solar Panels in Australia 2026: Unlock $1,000+ Extra Savings Annually.
Bottom Line
In 2026, maximising your solar export revenue in Australia requires a strategic approach beyond simply finding the highest advertised feed-in tariff. While some competitive FiTs offer up to 45c/kWh during specific peak periods, the most significant financial benefit still comes from self-consuming your generated electricity. Investing in a solar battery, exploring time-of-use tariffs, and joining Virtual Power Plants are increasingly important strategies to leverage your solar investment, especially as grid electricity prices continue to fluctuate. Regularly comparing your entire energy plan, including usage charges and daily supply fees, against competitive market offers is essential to ensure your solar system delivers maximum savings and returns.