South Australians pay some of the highest electricity rates in the country, which may explain why about one in three households have solar. Not only can a solar system help reduce energy costs, it can also add more value to a home. Installing solar panels isn’t a cheap undertaking by any means, which is why SA bill-payers will need to know what feed-in tariffs (FiTs) are available, including the plans these rates come attached to.
On this page:
- Which provider has the best solar feed-in tariff in SA?
- Best solar feed-in tariffs in SA
- Origin Energy feed-in tariffs SA
- Which is the best solar energy provider?
- Are there solar-specific plans available in SA?
- Should I just be looking at the feed-in tariff?
- What is my solar feed-in tariff?
- Is there a minimum feed-in tariff in SA?
- How to get the most out of your solar in SA?
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Which provider has the best solar feed-in tariff in SA?
Origin currently has the highest solar feed-in tariffs in South Australia, offering eligible customers 20 cents per kilowatt hour (c/kWh) for energy exported to the grid. Trailing behind is AGL with 15c/kWh and EnergyAustralia offering 12c/kWh.
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| Retailer | Minimum Feed-in Tariff (kWh) | Maximum Feed-in Tariff (kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| AGL | 5c | 15c (for first 10kWh/day, 6c/kWh thereafter) |
| Alinta Energy | 8c | 8c |
| Amber | 0c | 2.41c (estimated based on wholesale prices) |
| CovaU Energy | TBC | TBC |
| Diamond Energy | 0c | 5.2c |
| Discover Energy | TBC | TBC |
| Dodo | 5c | 5c |
| EnergyAustralia | 8.5c | 12c (first 15kWh/day, 8.5c thereafter) |
| Energy Locals | 6c | 6c |
| Future X Power | TBC | TBC |
| GloBird Energy | 1c | 1.5c |
| Glow Power | TBC | TBC |
| Kogan Energy | 0c | 5c |
| Lumo Energy | 3c | 5.5c |
| Momentum Energy | 0c | 3.5c |
| Nectr | 0c | 0c |
| Origin Energy | 6c | 20c (must purchase a solar system through Origin that’s under 7kW) |
| OVO Energy | 0c | 12c |
| Powershop | 0c | 5c |
| ReAmped Energy | TBC | TBC |
| Red Energy | 3c | 5.5c |
| Simply Energy | 5.5c | 8c |
| Sumo | 5c | 8c |
| Tango Energy | TBC | TBC |
| 1st Energy | 8c | 8c |
Feed-in tariffs are for residential customers on a single rate tariff in Adelaide on the SA Power Network. Accurate as of December 2023.
South Australia has had quite a surge in feed-in tariff rates recently. Some retailers now offer FiTs upward of 8c/kWh, although it seems some didn’t get the memo.
Compare SA Solar Plans
Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These are products from referral partners†. These costs are based on SA Power network in Adelaide but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 4011kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Origin Energy Feed-in Tariffs SA
Origin Energy’s solar plans offer some decent feed-in tariffs in South Australia, but to achieve the best FiT from Origin you’ll need to have your solar panels installed with the retailer and choose a system under 7kW. Doing so means a rate of 20c/kWh is up for grabs, otherwise you’ll have to settle for a still very reasonable 17c/kWh if you choose a system over 7kW. Plan details below.
Which is the best solar energy provider?
Red Energy is the winner of Australia’s best solar energy provider for 2023, scoring five stars for customer service, focus on environmental sustainability and overall satisfaction. While Red Energy’s solar feed-in tariffs may not be the most competitive in the state, the retailer does offer additional benefits to customers through its partnership with Qantas, wherein customers can earn frequent flyer points off their energy bill. Red Energy’s market offers for SA are below.
Here are Red Energy’s plans on our database for South Australia. These costs are based on the SA Power network in Adelaide but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4011kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Please use our comparison tool for a specific comparison in your area. Our database may not cover all deals in your area. As always, check all details of any plan directly with the retailer before making a purchase decision.
Are there solar-specific plans available in SA?
In SA, there are solar-specific products, some of which offer higher feed-in tariffs. While these plans can sound great on paper, it’s worth checking out the full details directly with each retailer, as these plans may not always be publicly listed. Sometimes solar-specific deals require certain conditions to be met or eligibility may depend on signing up during a promotional period.
Should I just be looking at the feed-in tariff?
Customers with solar panels are naturally going to look for the highest feed-in tariff they can find, but it’s a good idea to check out other features of a plan before signing up. Why? Well, in some situations, plans with high FiTs could be disguising increased electricity usage charges, as well as supply charges. These are the base rates every customer in SA pays, regardless of how much energy is used.
Homes that export plenty of excess power back into the grid may benefit from a higher feed-in tariff, as they’ll likely be credited more on their bills. However, it could be a different story for households who can’t feed back as much electricity due to having a smaller solar system, in which they may be better off with cheaper base rates as opposed to a larger FiT. It will ultimately come down to what suits each customer, such as their energy needs and personal circumstances.
What is my solar feed-in tariff?
Your solar feed-in tariff should be listed on your latest energy bill, usually on the second page where there’s a breakdown of fees and charges. If you can’t locate your FiT rate, jump onto your retailer’s website and check out its’ energy fact sheets. These are documents that all power companies must have publicly available to customers, and include every detail of each plan they offer, like rates, fees and charges.
Is there a minimum feed-in tariff in SA?
There is no longer a minimum solar feed-in tariff in South Australia, meaning that energy providers set their own FiT rates. Customers with eligible solar PV systems connected before September 30, 2011 may receive a premium feed-in tariff, which is set by the state’s energy distributor.
How to get the most out of your solar in SA
For many, solar is not just about saving on power bills. It’s also about adding value to your property and reducing your home’s carbon footprint. We all know that installing solar is a monumental leap towards smaller energy bills, which is why having a suitable feed-in tariff can make a big impact on long-term costs. But the fun doesn’t stop there, make sure you check out each feature of a plan as there may be further value you’re unaware of. Start your journey by clicking the link below.
Image credits: Adwo/Shutterstock.com, anatoliy_gleb/Shutterstock.com
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