If you installed solar in Queensland before July 2012, you have been earning a generous QLD Solar Bonus Scheme 44c feed-in tariff on every kilowatt-hour you export to the grid. That rate is almost six times what most Queensland households receive today. But this scheme has an end date: 1 July 2028. Here is what you need to know about the phase-out and how to plan for what comes next.
What is the QLD Solar Bonus Scheme?
The Queensland Government launched the Solar Bonus Scheme in 2008 to encourage early adoption of rooftop solar. Eligible households received a feed-in tariff of 44 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for any surplus solar energy they exported back to the grid.
The scheme was closed to new applicants on 10 July 2012. Homeowners who applied before that date and have continuously met the eligibility rules are still receiving the 44c rate today.
For context, the standard feed-in tariff for most Queensland homeowners currently ranges from 1 to 15 cents per kWh. The 44c legacy rate has been a significant financial advantage for those lucky enough to have it.
QLD Solar Bonus Scheme: Key facts at a glance
| Detail | Information |
| Scheme Name | Queensland Solar Bonus Scheme (SBS) |
| Original Rate | 44 cents per kWh |
| Launched | 2008 |
| Closed to New Customers | July 10, 2012 |
| End Date | 1 July 2028 |
| Who Qualifies | Pre-July 2012 applicants who maintain eligibility |
| Post-2028 Rate | Standard retailer FiT (typically 3–8c/kWh in SE QLD) |
| Ergon Energy FiT (2025–26) | 8.66 cents per kWh (QCA-regulated) |
| Max Consumption Allowed | Less than 100 MWh per year |
| Key Risk to Eligibility | Changing the electricity account name, moving, or upsizing the inverter |
The deadline: When does the 44c feed-in tariff expire?
The premium 44c feed-in tariff is locked into state legislation with a hard, final expiration date. According to the Queensland Government Solar Bonus Scheme guidelines, the scheme will officially conclude on 30 June 2028.
On 1 July 2028, all remaining participants will automatically transition off the premium rate. No extensions have been planned or proposed by the state government. This means your high-yielding solar credits will vanish overnight when the deadline arrives.
As a result, your financial return for exporting clean power back to the grid will drop substantially. Legacy participants will transition directly to standard market feed-in tariffs offered by standard electricity retailers.
How do you stay eligible for the 44c rate until 2028?
The rules around maintaining eligibility are strict. To keep your 44c feed-in tariff until the scheme ends, you must meet all of the following conditions:
- Stay at the same property: If you move house, sell, or rent the property out, you lose the tariff.
- Keep your electricity account unchanged: The tariff is tied to the account holder. Adding anyone other than a spouse to the account, or changing the account name, will void your eligibility.
- Stay under 100 MWh consumption per year: Annual usage above 100 megawatt-hours results in the premises being reclassified, and you lose the rate.
- Do not upsize your inverter: it must remain at or below the capacity originally approved by your distributor. Replacing it with the same size is fine.
- Do not add extra solar panels that exceed your approved inverter capacity: You can replace degraded panels, but you cannot increase the total generation capacity beyond what the inverter was originally approved for.
- Do not add a battery that can operate while your solar is generating or exporting: Certain battery configurations will void your tariff. Check the current Queensland Government rules before proceeding.
What are your options after the QLD Solar Bonus Scheme ends?
The phase-out of the 44c feed-in tariff does not mean the end of solar savings. It just changes where those savings come from. Here are the main paths available to you:
1. Upgrade your solar system
Your current panels are old. Modern solar panels are more efficient and cost less per watt than when your system was installed. Upgrading to a larger system (for example, 6.6 kW or above) gives you more solar to self-consume and more stored energy when paired with a battery.
Check out Energy Matters’ solar panel options to see what a modern system could do for your home.
2. Add a home battery
A battery lets you use your solar power during the evening instead of buying it from the grid. With a time-of-use tariff, you can charge during cheap off-peak periods and discharge during expensive evening peak periods.
Ready to explore batteries and solar upgrades? Energy Matters can help you plan for life after the Solar Bonus Scheme.
Use Energy Matters’ easy-to-use solar power and battery storage calculator to determine the size of your solar system with storage! Our solar calculator will generate performance information and potential savings.
We can send this information to 3 of our pre-vetted, trusted local installers in your area so they can provide obligation-free solar quotes and take the first step toward true energy independence!
3. Shop around for the best feed-in tariff
Once you are off the Solar Bonus Scheme, you are free to switch retailers. Some Queensland retailers currently offer feed-in tariffs of up to 10 cents per kWh, well above the Ergon-regulated rate.
Tired of overpaying for energy? Discover your best energy deal with Energy Matters. Compare top offers in your area and find the right plan for your energy needs. Our advanced tool draws on data from a trusted network of retailers, so you can easily evaluate options and choose a plan that gives you greater control and better savings on your electricity and gas bills. Don’t settle for less—switch to a plan that suits your budget and goals with Energy Matters today!
4. Consider a virtual power plant
A virtual power plant (VPP) connects your battery to a network that trades energy during periods of peak demand. VPPs can pay significantly more per kWh than a standard feed-in tariff during grid events.
For more information, visit our VPP offers page in Australia.
5. Electrify your home
After 2028, the goal shifts from maximising exports to maximising self-consumption. Running high-energy efficiency appliances — such as a heat pump hot water system or an EV charger — during peak solar hours means you get the most value from every kilowatt-hour your panels produce.
Powering up your EV with solar
If you’re thinking of buying an EV, adding an EV charger to your solar system is a smart way to “fuel” your car with clean, renewable energy.
Common mistakes that can end your 44c tariff early
The eligibility rules are strict, and some homeowners have lost their 44c rate without realising it. Watch out for these traps:
- Moving house: There is no way to take the tariff with you. It is tied to the property and the account.
- Changing the electricity account name: Even adding a flatmate or a new partner (unless they are your spouse) can result in a loss of eligibility.
- Getting disconnected for unpaid bills: A disconnection that closes your account ends your Solar Bonus Scheme entitlement.
- Installing a battery without checking the rules: Not all battery setups void eligibility, but many do. Always get written confirmation from your distributor before proceeding.
- Oversizing your solar panels: Adding panels that push total generation capacity above your approved inverter size will end the 44c tariff.
Get ahead of the 2028 phase-out
The QLD Solar Bonus Scheme phase-out marks the end of an era, but not the end of solar savings. Queensland households can still enjoy significant benefits by focusing on self-consumption, modern solar technology and battery storage. Planning ahead now can help maximise value well beyond 2028.
Thinking about your next solar upgrade? Contact us today for solar expert advice, compare quotes from trusted installers, and discover how solar batteries can keep your energy bills low for years to come.
Sources and References
- Queensland Government – Solar Bonus Scheme 44c Feed-in Tariff
- Queensland Government – Solar Bonus Scheme Policy Guide (March 2024)
- Energex – Solar Feed-in Tariff Changes
- Ergon Energy – Solar Feed-in Tariff Changes
