Solar feed-in tariffs in Victoria
Exported solar earns a few cents. Imported power costs about 30. That gap now decides how to size a system and whether a battery pays.
Updated November 2026 · Litmec Electrical, REC-10383
Feed-in tariffs in Victoria now pay a few cents per kWh at most, while power from the grid costs around 30c per kWh. Each kWh of solar you use yourself is worth roughly seven times one you export.
Victoria's minimum feed-in tariff is set each year by the Essential Services Commission, from 1 July, and retailers set their own rates at or above it. Check your retailer's current rate on your bill.
What it means for a typical home
Take a home paying $450 a quarter with someone home some days. A 6.6 kW system makes about 23 kWh on an average day by the calculator's figures. Roughly 4 kWh is used in the house as it's made, worth about $1.21, and 19 kWh is exported, worth about $0.78.
- Used in the house
- 4 kWh/day
- Value at 30c
- $1.21
- Exported
- 19 kWh/day
- Value at 4c
- $0.78
Most of the saving comes from the smaller share you use yourself. That is why we size systems to your use, not your roof.
How to use more of your own solar
- Run appliances in the middle of the day: dishwasher, washing machine and dryer on a timer.
- Heat water with solar: a heat pump or a timer on an electric storage tank set to daytime.
- Charge the car at home in the day where you can. Solar and EVs.
- Pre-cool or pre-heat the house in the afternoon.
- Store it: a battery moves midday surplus into the evening. Is it worth it?
Export limits
Distributors limit how much a home can export at once, commonly 5 kW per phase, and some now offer flexible export limits that vary through the day. A good design keeps clipping small.
Check your own numbers
Use Victorian Energy Compare with your meter data to see which plan suits a home with solar. Plans with a high feed-in tariff often have higher usage rates, so compare the whole plan.
Related
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Questions
What is the solar feed-in tariff in Victoria?
Retailers pay a few cents per kWh for exported solar. The Essential Services Commission sets a minimum each year from 1 July; your retailer's rate is on your bill.
Is solar still worth it with low feed-in tariffs?
Yes, when the system is sized to your use. Solar you use yourself saves around 30c per kWh; the low feed-in tariff only affects the share you export.
Should I choose a plan with the highest feed-in tariff?
Not automatically. High feed-in plans often charge more for the power you buy. Compare the whole plan with your meter data on Victorian Energy Compare.
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