There are so many reasons to install solar panels in Victoria, but most people just want to know how much they’ll be able to save on energy bills. Despite a plethora of contributing factors to any potential savings, it’s the feed-in tariff (FiT) that draws the most attention.
This figure dictates how much of a credit households will receive on their power bills for exporting leftover electricity back into the grid. But is it as simple as just signing up to the solar plan with the highest FiT? Often there are more factors at play that impact the overall price Victorians pay for power. With this in mind, let’s take a peek at the best solar feed-in tariffs in Victoria, as well as some other features to look out for to help maximise returns on your solar investment.
On this page:
- Which provider has the best solar feed-in tariff in Victoria?
- Best solar feed-in tariffs in Victoria
- Origin Energy feed-in tariffs VIC
- Which is the best solar energy provider?
- Are there solar-specific plans available in VIC?
- Feed-in tariffs vs energy rates: What’s more important?
- How do I know what my solar feed-in tariff is?
- Does Victoria have a minimum feed-in tariff?
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Which provider has the best solar feed-in tariff in Victoria?
Origin Energy currently offers the best solar feed-in tariffs (FiTs) in Victoria at the time of publication, with eligible customers receiving 20 cents per kilowatt hour (c/kWh) of energy exported to the grid. Following this is AGL with 15c/kWh and EnergyAustralia with 12c/kWh. Note that the Victorian energy regulator has set a minimum FiT rate of 4.9c/kWh for solar customers on a single rate tariff.
Compare VIC 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 the Citipower network in Melbourne 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 4000kWh/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.
Best Solar Feed-In Tariffs in Victoria
Many energy providers have currently switched off their market offer plans to new customers. We will do our best to keep the details on this page up to date as new information becomes available. Please treat information below as historical only, and check solar plan details/availability directly with energy providers.
Below is a list of solar feed-in tariffs showing both minimum and maximum rates available in Victoria for residential customers on a single rate tariff. Please be aware that some retailers may not operate across all areas of Victoria, and some FiTs may only be available to customers who satisfy certain conditions. Please check each provider’s website for further details.
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| Retailer | Minimum Feed-in Tariff (kWh) | Maximum Feed-in Tariff (kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| AGL | 4.9c | 15c (for the first 10kWh/day, 4.9c thereafter) |
| Alinta Energy | 4.9c | 4.9c |
| Amber | 4.9c | 4.9c |
| Arcline by RACV | 6c | 6c |
| CovaU Energy | 4.9c | 4.9c |
| Diamond Energy | 0c | 5.2c |
| Discover Energy | TBC | TBC |
| Dodo | 4.9c | 4.9c |
| EnergyAustralia | 5.4c | 12c (for the first 15kWh/day, 5.4c thereafter) |
| Energy Locals | 5c | 5c |
| GloBird Energy | 3.9c | 4.9c |
| Kogan Energy | 5.2c | 5.2c |
| Lumo Energy | 4.9c | 5.5c |
| Momentum Energy | 5.4c | 5.4c |
| Nectr | 4.9c | 4.9c |
| Origin Energy | 4.9c | 20c (must purchase solar system through Origin that’s under 7kW) |
| OVO Energy | 4.9c | 8c |
| Pacific Blue | 4.9c | 4.9c |
| Powershop | 5.2c | 5.2c |
| ReAmped Energy | TBC | TBC |
| Red Energy | 4.9c | 7c |
| Simply Energy | 4.9c | 11c |
| Sumo | 4.9c | 5.2c |
| Tango Energy | 4.9c | 4.9c |
| 1st Energy | 4.9c | 9.9c |
Feed-in tariffs are for residential customers on a single rate tariff in Melbourne on the Citipower Network. Accurate as of February 2024.
Origin Energy Feed-in Tariffs VIC
Origin Energy solar plans are hard to beat as far as what’s on offer from solar retailers, but to score its highest feed-in tariff rate in Victoria, you’ll need to have your solar panels installed with Origin in the first place with a system size under 7kW. If you do, you’ll be eligible for a FiT of 20c/kWh. If the system is over 7kW you will receive 17c/kWh, but if you are coming with a system already installed you’ll have to settle for a still reasonable 12c/kWh. Keep in mind these FiT rates are for customers connected to a single rate tariff.
Which is the best solar energy provider?
Red Energy is currently ranked as Australia’s best solar energy provider, according to Canstar Blue’s 2023 customer satisfaction ratings. The Australian-owned energy company, snagged five stars for its customer service, focus on environmental sustainability and overall satisfaction. While Red Energy doesn’t have solar specific plans in Victoria, its standard market offers in the state come with feed-in tariffs.
Here are Red Energy’s plans on our database for Victoria. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices may vary depending on your circumstances. This comparison assumes general energy usage of 4000kWh/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 VIC?
Yes, there are a handful of retailers who offer plans marketed to customers with solar panels, however some power companies may not always have them publicly listed. This means it’s best to check directly with the provider. While a solar-specific plan sounds good on paper, you’ll need to double check that the electricity rates have not been increased to cover a higher feed-in tariff.
Feed-in tariffs vs energy rates: What’s more important?
Sometimes energy providers hide increased electricity rates behind a large solar feed-in tariff, which can be confusing to say the least. The base rates of an energy plan should still be price competitive, regardless of how high the FiT is, but it will ultimately come down to your personal circumstances and household needs.
A house that exports plenty of excess power to the grid may benefit from a higher feed-in tariff, which in turn could justify paying higher electricity usage and supply rates. On the other end of the spectrum, a household with smaller solar capabilities may be better off with an average FiT and lower base rates. You should crunch the numbers to see how much money you’re saving off power bills and work out if cheaper rates could benefit your back pocket, or a bigger feed-in tariff rate.
How do I know what my solar feed-in tariff is?
The feed-in tariff rate you receive from your retailer should be listed on your plan’s energy fact sheets. These are documents that all energy providers must list on their website, however some can be trickier to find than others. Energy fact sheets are usually located on the bottom of a retailer’s website and will normally list each plan’s solar feed-in tariff.
Does Victoria have a minimum feed-in tariff?
Customers in Victoria can find some level of comfort in the fact that there is currently a mandated minimum solar feed-in tariff rate of 4.9c/kWh for customers on single rate tariffs. However, is a large decrease from previous years where solar customers received 10.2c-12c/kWh.
The final word on solar in Victoria
We all know that solar is a huge investment, costing upwards of thousands of dollars, and that’s before you even have it installed. With such a hefty upfront cost, finding a good deal that can pay itself off over time is somewhat of the Australian dream. With a little bit of homework and understanding of which features are important to you, there are plenty of savings to be made, especially if you can cash in on a solar rebate. Want to stay on top of the latest deals in your area? Use our comparison tool below.
Image credits: chinasong/Shutterstock.com, Albachiaraa/Shutterstock.com
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