Getting a strong feed-in tariff (FiT) is one of the easiest ways to improve the payback on rooftop solar in New South Wales. But the “best” offer is rarely the one with the highest cents-per-kWh headline. Many plans pair a high FiT with higher usage charges, export caps, or a lower rate after you hit a daily threshold.
This guide explains how NSW solar feed-in tariffs work, what a reasonable FiT looks like, and how to compare plans based on total value.
What is a solar feed-in tariff?
A solar feed-in tariff is the credit your electricity retailer pays you for surplus electricity your solar system exports to the grid. It appears on your bill as a credit, calculated by multiplying the exported kilowatt-hours (kWh) by your FiT rate.
In most NSW retail offers, FiTs are:
- Flat-rate, one rate for every exported kWh, or
- Tiered, a higher rate up to a daily export amount, then a lower rate after that.
Is there a minimum feed-in tariff in NSW?
No. Unlike some other jurisdictions historically, NSW does not have a regulated minimum FiT that retailers must pay.
Instead, the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) publishes annual benchmark ranges to help consumers understand what retailers may reasonably pay for solar exports. These benchmarks are not mandatory, but they are a useful reference point when comparing offers.
For 2025–26, IPART indicates a benchmark range around 4.8 to 7.3 c/kWh for flat-rate FiTs (benchmarks vary by time and methodology). Retail offers can be higher or lower than this range depending on how the plan is structured.
What is a “good” feed-in tariff in NSW right now?
Across popular NSW retail solar plans, you commonly see:
- Base (ongoing) FiTs around 3 to 6 c/kWh
- Promo or “boosted” FiTs around 8 to 12 c/kWh, often capped by export amount or limited to a period (for example, the first 8–12 kWh exported per day, or the first 12 months)
Because plan pricing changes frequently and differs by network area, the practical goal is to find the best net outcome, which is the combination of FiT credits minus supply and usage costs.
Why the highest FiT is not always the best deal
Retailers can use a high FiT as a “headline” while increasing other charges. Before you choose a plan, check these items on the plan facts sheet (often called a Basic Product Information Document):
- Usage rates, single-rate or time-of-use (peak, shoulder, off-peak)
- Daily supply charge
- FiT structure, flat vs tiered, daily caps and step-down rates
- Eligibility rules, for example, solar system size limits or new-customer-only offers
- FiT review rights, whether the retailer can vary the FiT during your contract
How to compare the best electricity feed-in tariff NSW offers
1) Start with your export profile
Your best plan depends on how much you export and when. Households with daytime loads (working from home, pool pumps, EV charging midday) often export less and benefit more from low usage rates. Households that export a lot may get more value from a higher FiT, but only if the plan’s base rates are not inflated.
2) Check if the FiT is capped or tiered
Many NSW plans advertise a higher FiT for a limited daily export, then revert to a lower base rate. If you regularly export more than the cap, your effective FiT will be lower than the headline rate.
3) Compare total annual cost, not just the FiT
A good comparison uses your:
- annual consumption (kWh), and
- annual exports (kWh)
Then you estimate your yearly bill under each plan. If you do not have export data, your smart meter interval data or your inverter app can help fill the gap.
4) Consider time-of-use and “solar sponge” periods
Some customers can benefit from time-of-use pricing if they can shift consumption into lower priced periods. In NSW, the middle of the day can increasingly become a low wholesale price period due to high solar generation, and network pricing is evolving alongside that.
How network area affects your NSW solar plan
NSW electricity pricing and export arrangements vary by distributor (DNSP). Common network areas include:
- Ausgrid, parts of Sydney, Central Coast, Hunter
- Endeavour Energy, parts of Western Sydney, Blue Mountains, Illawarra
- Essential Energy, much of regional NSW
Plans, rates, and export arrangements can differ across these networks. Always compare offers using your postcode and meter type.
What the “sun tax” means for NSW solar exports
You may see discussion of a “sun tax”, also referred to as two-way tariffs or export charges. These are network-driven charges designed to manage high export volumes during the middle of the day.
Not every customer will be affected in the same way. Where these tariffs apply, they can reduce the value of exporting at certain times, which makes strategies like increasing self-consumption and adding battery storage more attractive.
How to maximise solar savings beyond the FiT
- Shift usage to daylight hours, run dishwashers, washing machines, and pool pumps when solar is producing
- Optimise hot water, use timers to heat water during solar hours
- Consider a battery, store excess generation for evening use and reduce exports during low-value periods
- Review your plan each year, FiTs and usage rates change regularly
Need help comparing NSW feed-in tariffs?
Zembl helps NSW households and businesses compare solar-friendly electricity plans using your actual bill data, usage patterns, and solar export profile. We compare offers across a panel of retailers, explain the trade-offs in plain English, and handle the switching paperwork if you decide to move.
Related Zembl guides
- Best solar plans NSW
- Compare solar energy plans NSW
- Best energy provider for solar
- Cheap electricity providers in Sydney
Frequently asked questions
How do I find my current feed-in tariff?
Check your most recent electricity bill. The FiT is usually listed near the usage summary, along with the exported kWh and the credit applied. You can also find it on your plan’s product information document.
Can my retailer change my FiT?
Many plans allow retailers to vary rates with notice, especially on variable contracts. Always check your plan’s terms and the product information document.
Should I choose the highest FiT if I export a lot?
Not automatically. If your usage rates and supply charge are materially higher, a “high FiT” plan can still cost more overall. The right approach is to compare estimated annual cost using your actual usage and export data.
Do businesses get different FiTs in NSW?
Some retailers offer different solar pricing for small business or larger commercial sites, especially where metering, tariff type, or load profile differs. Zembl can help model options for business and multi-site customers.
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