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Solar feed-in tariffs are a payment system that allows individuals and businesses with solar panel systems to sell excess electricity back to the grid. In Victoria, Australia, the feed-in tariff rate is determined by the state government and utilities.
Victoria’s Essential Services Commission (ESC) examined the minimum feed-in tariffs for energy exported to the grid from small-scale renewable sources such as rooftop solar.
Types of feed-in tariff available in Victoria
Single-rate feed-in tariffs
With a single-rate FiT or also known as flat, you’ll get the same price for your solar energy no matter when you export it to the grid. These are the most common types of FiTs supplied by retailers.
Feed-in tariffs from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025: The 2023-24 flat rate minimum feed-in tariff is 3.3 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
Feed-in tariffs from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024: The 2023-24 flat rate minimum feed-in tariff is 4.9 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
Time-varying rates
Time-varying FiTs pay variable rates based on the time of day the electricity is exported to the grid. The table below shows the minimum daily feed-in tariffs for 2023–2024 (effective July 1, 2023) and 2024–2025 (effective July 1, 2024).
As of 1 July 2024
| OPTION 1 | |||
| Period | Weekday | Weekend | Rate: cents per kilowatt hour (c/kWh) |
| Overnight | 10 pm to 7 am | 10 pm to 7 am | 7.6 c/kWh |
| Day | 7 am to 3 pm, 9 pm to 10 pm | 7 am to 10 pm | 2.8 c/kWh |
| Early Evening | 3 pm to 9 pm | n/a | 7.0 c/kWh |
| OPTION 2 | |||
| Period | Everyday | Rate: cents per kilowatt hour (c/kWh) | |
| Shoulder | 9 pm to 10 am ; 2 pm to 4 pm | 4.1 c/kWh | |
| Off peak | 10 am to 2 pm | 2.1 c/kWh | |
| Peak | 4 pm to 9 pm | 8.4 c/kWh | |
As of 1 July 2023
| OPTION 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Period | Weekday | Weekend | Rate: cents per kilowatt hour (c/kWh) |
| Overnight | 10 pm to 7 am | 10 pm to 7 am | 11.3 c/kWh |
| Day | 7 am to 3 pm, 9 pm to 10 pm | 7 am to 10 pm | 4.4 c/kWh |
| Early Evening | 3 pm to 9 pm | n/a | 9.3 c/kWh |
| OPTION 2 | |||
| Period | Everyday | Rate: cents per kilowatt hour (c/kWh) | |
| Shoulder | 9 pm to 10 am ; 2 pm to 4 pm | 5.5 c/kWh | |
| Off-peak | 10 am to 2 pm | 3.9 c/kWh | |
| Peak | 4 pm to 9 pm | 10.6 c/kWh | |
Eligibility
To qualify for a feed-in tariff, a solar PV system must:
- installed on a household or small business
- connected to the grid
Individuals and businesses must have a solar panel system installed and be connected to the grid to participate in Victoria’s solar feed-in tariff program. They must also have a smart meter, a device that measures electricity usage and tracks electricity generated and exported to the grid. Other conditions may apply.
Benefits
One of the main benefits of participating in the solar feed-in tariff program is the opportunity to earn money by selling excess electricity back to the grid. This can help offset the cost of installing and maintaining a solar panel system, making it a more financially viable option for homeowners and businesses.
Incentives and programs
In addition to the solar feed-in tariff, Victoria has many other incentives and rebates to encourage renewable energy adoption. These include the Solar Homes program, which provides financial assistance to homeowners to help cover the cost of installing a solar panel system, and the Renewable Energy Target, which sets a goal for the state to generate a certain percentage of its electricity from renewable sources.
Victoria’s solar feed-in tariff program provides a financial incentive for individuals and businesses to switch to renewable energy and reduce their carbon footprint. It is important to shop around for the best deals and to transition to a more sustainable energy future for Victoria.
Are solar-specific plans available in Victoria?
Yes, a few shops sell plans to clients with solar panels, although some electricity suppliers may only sometimes advertise them publicly. You should check with the provider or click our energy compare to use our energy comparator tool. While a solar-specific plan may appear appealing on paper, you should double-check that electricity rates have not been raised to meet a greater feed-in tariff.
Feed-in tariff prices are generally determined by many factors, including the size of the solar panel installation, the property’s location, and the overall demand for electricity in the area. Some retailers may charge varying prices for different categories of customers, such as residential or commercial customers, or customers with various-sized solar panel systems.
So before engaging in an agreement with a retailer, individuals and companies interested in participating in a plan should carefully consider the conditions of any contract. This includes comprehending the rate at which the retailer will purchase electricity from the client and any fees or charges that may be in the agreement.
What is a minimum feed-in tariff?
A minimum feed-in tariff is the lowest rate merchants must provide solar consumers.
The minimum rate is determined by projecting wholesale electricity prices for the following calendar year.
Wholesale prices vary throughout the day, and solar panels can only generate electricity during certain times. When estimating wholesale electricity costs, these solar hours are considered.
Comparison by retailers
Victorian electricity retailers are obligated to offer these prices to qualifying FiT customers for electricity exported to the grid. Electricity retailers may offer a rate greater than the regulatory minimum, but they are not required to do so.
| RETAILERS | MIN SOLAR FiT | MAX SOLAR FiT |
| Engie | 3.3c | 12.0c |
| Origin | 3.3c | 10c (for the first 14kWh/day, 3.3c thereafter) |
The table below shows the lowest and maximum solar feed-in tariffs available in Victoria for residential customers on a single rate tariff. Please remember that some shops may only be available in some areas of Victoria, and some FiTs may only be available to clients who meet their eligibility.
| VIC MAJOR RETAILERS | MIN SOLAR FiT | MAX SOLAR FiT |
| 1st Energy | 3.3c | 3.3c |
| AGL | 3.3c | 3.3c |
| Alinta Energy | 3.3c | 3.3c |
| CovaU | 4.9c | 4.9c |
| Diamond Energy | 5.2c | 5.2c |
| EnergyAustralia | 3.3c | 3.3c |
| Lumo Energy | 3.3c | 4.5c |
| Momentum Energy | 3.3c | 6.0c |
| Red Energy | 3.3c | 4.5c |
| Tango | 3.3c | 3.3c |
Read more about the solar feed-in tariff in Victoria
- Australian Solar Feed-In Tariffs Information
- Solar Feed-in Tariff Comparison: Best Tariffs by State and Territory
- Feed-in Tariffs Keep Getting Lower: Is Solar Still Worth it in 2024?
Energy Matters has over 17 years of experience in the solar industry and has helped over 40,000 Australian households in their journey to energy independence.
Contact us today, and we can connect you with our trusted local solar installers in Melbourne, who will provide up to 3 FREE solar quotes for your home and business solar energy system.
Switching to a better plan?
You may already have an energy plan but want more power or to shop for a better deal.
Energy Matters‘ “Free Energy Bill Comparator” is a cutting-edge energy bill tool that compares your area’s most competitive retail offers. We collect the data from our wide range of trusted retailers, allowing you to decide on the switching plan and find the best deal for your needs.
If your goal is to get more electricity and minimise the cost of your gas and electricity bills, switch to a better plan now!
Sources: Essential Services Commission, Canstar Blue
