More than 4 million Australian homes now have solar panels, yet knowing how to compare solar plans still trips most households up. Feed-in tariff rates, supply charges, and contract terms all vary between providers, and the wrong plan can quietly push power bills higher.
Knowing which factors affect the total cost makes comparisons quicker. GoSwitch has outlined each one below so Aussies can read their solar quotes with a clearer head.
What Is a Solar Energy Plan?
A solar energy plan is an electricity plan from a retailer designed for Australian homes with rooftop solar. Unlike a standard energy plan, it includes a feed-in tariff rate, which is the credit you receive for any excess renewable energy your system sends back to the grid.
The plan you’re on affects both what you pay for grid power and what you earn from your solar system. Getting the right energy plan matters as much as the hardware itself.
What to Look for When Comparing Solar Quotes
Most solar quotes list the same information, but the numbers that shape your energy bill sit in the details. The five factors below separate plans that deliver genuine savings from those that only look competitive upfront.
Feed-In Tariff Rates
Your feed-in tariff rate determines how much you get paid when your system sends excess energy back to the grid. This is sometimes called a buyback rate, and it varies by retailer.
Origin Energy, AGL, and other providers each set their own rates, which vary by state and retailer. Retail rates across NSW, QLD, VIC, SA, and the ACT typically fall between 5 and 10 cents per kWh, though some plans offer more. A higher rate looks appealing, but retailers can offset it with higher usage charges, so compare both figures before committing.
Daily Supply Charges and Usage Rates
Your electricity prices consist of two main costs. A daily supply charge applies whether or not you use power. The usage rate is what you pay per unit of electricity drawn from the grid.
Retailers set usage rates per kilowatt-hour (kWh), and these vary between providers. According to Australian Energy Regulator benchmark data, supply charges typically sit between $1.00 and $1.50 per day. Usage rates across NSW, QLD, VIC, SA, and the ACT range from 25 to 40 cents per kWh on most plans. Your energy usage pattern determines which rate structure costs you less.
Upfront Costs and System Size
The upfront costs of a solar system depend heavily on how much capacity you need. Larger systems generate more power but carry a higher initial price.
According to the Clean Energy Council, a 6.6kW system remains one of the most popular sizes for Australian homes, with installed costs typically ranging from $5,000 to $8,000 after government rebates. The inverter, which converts solar power into usable electricity, also adds to this cost and has its own replacement timeline. More detail on pricing by system size sits further below.
Contract Terms and Exit Fees
Not all electricity plans are equal in the fine print. Some solar plans lock you into a fixed-term contract with exit fees if you switch early or move house.
Some plans come with a benefit period, where a promotional rate or discount applies for a set time. When that period ends, the standard rate kicks in. Australian Consumer Law requires retailers to disclose these terms before sign-up, but reading the fine print yourself is still the safest move.
Warranties and Installer Accreditation
A solar power installation typically lasts 25 years or more. The workmanship quality and warranty terms both deserve a close look before you commit.
Under the Clean Energy Council’s program, accredited installers must back their work with a minimum five-year warranty and use products from the CEC approved list. Check the public register at cleanenergycouncil.org.au before booking anyone. Non-accredited work can void a manufacturer’s warranty, so the installer’s credentials matter as much as the panels themselves.
Flat-Rate vs Time-of-Use Solar Plans
Two tariff types apply to solar households, and the right one depends on how and when you use power.
- A flat-rate plan charges one consistent rate around the clock. If you cannot easily control when your household uses power, it removes the guesswork from your bill.
- A time-of-use plan is worth considering if you run most appliances during the day. Your solar system generates during daylight, so the plan’s off-peak pricing works in your favour. It costs more in the evenings, and you need a smart meter to access it.
The Australian Energy Market Commission is rolling out smart meters nationally. As that happens, more electricity retailers and energy providers will offer time-of-use pricing.
How to Compare Solar Plans Step by Step
Comparing solar plans takes less time than most people expect. Working through these steps in order helps you cut through the pricing differences and find the plan that suits your usage.
- Pull out your current electricity bill. Note your annual kWh consumption, daily supply charge, current feed-in tariff rate, and whether you’re on a flat-rate or time-of-use tariff.
- Identify what feed-in tariff rates other retailers are offering in your postcode. A high feed-in tariff can look attractive, but check the associated usage charges at the same time.
- Compare daily supply charges and usage rates across plans. Small differences in these figures add up over a full year.
- Check the contract terms on each plan, including the benefit period and any exit fees. Know what the rates revert to once the benefit period ends.
- If you’re installing a new system, compare upfront costs and confirm the installer holds Clean Energy Council accreditation. This protects your warranty rights and workmanship guarantees.
- Use GoSwitch as your energy comparison tool to view available plans side by side. This gives you a quick read on which retailers are currently competitive in your area.
The system size check in step five connects to a specific export rule that catches many households off guard.
What Is the 120% Solar Export Rule?
The 120% rule is widely referenced in consumer solar content, but it does not reflect an official Australian regulation. The term loosely describes the DC-to-AC oversizing standard used in system design. Under Clean Energy Council guidelines, panel capacity can be sized up to 133% of the inverter’s rated output to account for real-world generation losses.
The rule that actually governs how much power you can send to the grid comes from your distribution network service provider (DNSP). Most Australian networks cap solar exports at 5 kilowatts per phase for a standard single-phase home, regardless of system size. Generation above that limit is lost unless a battery stores it.
Export limits vary between DNSPs across NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, and the ACT. The Clean Energy Council recommends confirming your local network’s export requirements before settling on a system size.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost?
Solar panel costs vary depending on system size, installer, and location. Most Australian residential systems fall between $3,000 and $11,000 after government rebates. The final figure depends on how much capacity your household needs.
Installation Costs by System Size
The table below shows approximate installed costs for common system sizes, based on Solar Choice Price Index and Clean Energy Council market data.
Source: Solar Choice Price Index and Clean Energy Council, 2025-2026. Costs vary by state, installer, and panel brand.
Larger systems generate more kWh per day, but the right size depends on your household’s daily consumption and roof space. These figures reflect STC rebates, which the next section explains.
Government Rebates and Incentives
The main rebate available nationally is the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), administered by the Clean Energy Regulator. The scheme reduces what you pay for the system at the point of sale, with your installer managing the certificate process on your behalf.
How much you save depends on your system’s size, location, and when you install. The scheme ends on 31 December 2030, and the rebate value decreases a little each year as that date approaches.
On top of this, state solar rebates can cut costs further. These vary across NSW, QLD, VIC, SA, and the ACT, so it is worth checking what is available in your area before committing.
Why Some Households Are Reconsidering Solar
Feed-in tariff rates have fallen since the early days of rooftop solar. Some households once received higher feed-in tariffs than what retailers offer today, and that shift has affected the return on older systems.
Rising supply charges have compounded the problem for some households, where daily connection fees outpace what the system earns from export credits. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has taken enforcement action against solar retailers for misleading pricing claims. The Clean Energy Council expanded its accreditation program in response to rising installation complaints.
Before You Sign Any Solar Quote
Solar plan comparison comes down to the same factors every time. The best solar feed-in tariffs look different once you factor in usage charges, supply costs, and contract terms. That is why the headline rate alone does not tell the full story.
GoSwitch helps households across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory compare solar and electricity plans for free. We also compare gas, internet, and health insurance plans, so you can sort more than one essential in the same place. Enter your postcode to see which retailers are currently competitive in your area.
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