Energy retailers set their own feed-in-tariff rates and policies. They are not subject to oversight from the South Australian Government.
You might be able to get paid for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of excess electricity your solar system exports to the electricity grid.
Feed-in tariffs
The feed-in tariffs you'll receive depend on when SA Power Networks approved your connection to the grid.
- The retailer feed-in tariff - available to anyone with an eligible solar PV system. It is influenced by factors such as the wholesale price of electricity and market competition.
- The distributor feed-in tariff, also known as the solar feed-in scheme, is a fixed amount (44 cents). It is only available for eligible solar PV systems connected to the grid before 30 September 2011.
Any payments your system earns will get credited to your electricity account.
Your approval date
After 1 October 2013
You might be able to get a retailer feed-in tariff for any excess electricity your solar PV system exports to the grid.
Contact your retailer to confirm the tariff or compare electricity offers available in South Australia - Energy Made Easy.
Between 1 October 2011 and
30 September 2013
You might be able to get a retailer feed-in tariff for any excess electricity your solar PV system exports to the grid.
Contact your retailer to confirm the tariff or compare electricity offers available in South Australia - Energy Made Easy.
If you received 16c per kWh distributor feed-in tariff when your system was originally connected, that ended on 30 September 2016.
Between 1 September 2010 and
30 September 2011
You might be able to get:
- a retailer feed-in tariff
plus - the distributor feed-in tariff - fixed at 44c per kWh.
Contact your retailer to confirm the tariff or compare electricity offers available in South Australia - Energy Made Easy.
The distributor feed-in tariff only applies to the first 45 kWh your system exports each day.
The solar system servicing the part of your property that uses the most electricity will receive the distributor feed-in tariff if you have more than one system. SA Power Networks decides which system is eligible.
If you do not upgrade or alter your system, your 44c per kWh distributor feed-in tariff will continue until 30 June 2028.
Between 1 July 2008 and
31 August 2010
You might be able to get:
- a retailer feed-in tariff
plus - the distributor feed-in tariff - fixed at 44c per kWh.
Contact your retailer to confirm the tariff or compare electricity offers available in South Australia - Energy Made Easy.
If you do not upgrade or alter your system, your 44c per kWh distributor feed-in tariff will continue until 30 June 2028.
After 1 October 2013
You might be able to get a retailer feed-in tariff for any excess electricity your solar PV system exports to the grid.
Contact your retailer to confirm the tariff or compare electricity offers available in South Australia - Energy Made Easy.
Between 1 October 2011 and
30 September 2013
You might be able to get a retailer feed-in tariff for any excess electricity your solar PV system exports to the grid.
Contact your retailer to confirm the tariff or compare electricity offers available in South Australia - Energy Made Easy.
If you received 16c per kWh distributor feed-in tariff when your system was originally connected, that ended on 30 September 2016.
Between 1 September 2010 and
30 September 2011
You might be able to get:
- a retailer feed-in tariff
plus - the distributor feed-in tariff - fixed at 44c per kWh.
Contact your retailer to confirm the tariff or compare electricity offers available in South Australia - Energy Made Easy.
The distributor feed-in tariff only applies to the first 45 kWh your system exports each day.
The solar system servicing the part of your property that uses the most electricity will receive the distributor feed-in tariff if you have more than one system. SA Power Networks decides which system is eligible.
If you do not upgrade or alter your system, your 44c per kWh distributor feed-in tariff will continue until 30 June 2028.
Between 1 July 2008 and
31 August 2010
You might be able to get:
- a retailer feed-in tariff
plus - the distributor feed-in tariff - fixed at 44c per kWh.
Contact your retailer to confirm the tariff or compare electricity offers available in South Australia - Energy Made Easy.
If you do not upgrade or alter your system, your 44c per kWh distributor feed-in tariff will continue until 30 June 2028.
How payments could be affected
System eligibility
Households, small businesses, community buildings and churches with solar PV systems who consume less than 160 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity a year could be eligible for solar feed-in payments.
The solar PV system needs to:
- meet relevant Australian safety standards - all accredited installers will comply with these requirements
- be connected to the electricity grid through an import/export meter, which SA Power Networks will install at your cost
- have a maximum output of 10 kVA for homes with single phase or 30 kVA for homes with three-phase electricity - ask your solar installer about the output levels of your system.
Switching electricity retailers
Before switching retailers, check the new retailer knows you have a solar PV system and is willing to accept you as a customer. As long as your new retailer has agreed, you will continue to receive your solar feed-in payments.
Visit Energy Maade Easy to compare solar offers from different retailers.
Living at a rental property
Any feed-in payments are paid to the electricity account holder. If the tenant is the account holder, the tariff will be credited to their account.
Moving house
Feed-in payments should be available to the new occupant when you move out because the solar system is attached to the property.
If you move to an address with solar, ask your retailer what retailer feed-in tariff you could receive. Your retailer can also check when the system was installed and whether it is eligible for a distributor feed-in tariff.
To confirm feed-in scheme eligibility dates or to check if your new address is eligible, contact SA Power Networks on 1300 665 913 or seg@sapowernetworks.com.au.
Adding battery storage or renewable generators
Anyone who installs battery storage or a renewable generator might be able to receive a retailer feed-in tariff.
Compare offers available in South Australia at the Energy Made Easy website.
Repairs and alterations
Any changes you make to your solar PV system could affect your eligibility for the 44c per kWh distributor feed-in tariff. But you could still receive a retailer feed-in tariff.
You might be able to replace your panels, inverter or other components of your system but before you begin work make sure you check:
- the terms and conditions of your permission to connect.
- how the changes will affect your distributor feed-in tariff:
- Contact SA Power Networks
Phone: 1300 665 913
Email: seg@sapowernetworks.com.au
- Contact SA Power Networks
Your eligibility for solar feed-in tariff could also be affected if you:
- demolish and build a new home
- subdivide land
- change or replace your meter
- alter your connection to the grid in any other way.
Before you make any changes, contact SA Power Networks to find out how you could be affected.
