The best feed-in tariff right now in Adelaide is 16 cents/kWh by Discover Energy. It is the highest you can get for exporting solar energy and is capped at 300 kWh per quarter.
Solar FITs are payments for excess electricity that your solar panels have generated.
Since most solar homes generate more electricity than they need, they can export the excess electricity to the grid. This earns them a feed-in tariff (FIT) payment.
Knowing what to look for will yield maximum feed-in credits and increase your power bill savings when selecting the best utility company. This article discusses solar FITs in Adelaide and highlights the best rates from 5 energy providers.
Which energy provider has the best solar feed-in tariff rate in Adelaide?
The best solar FIT in Adelaide is Discover Energy. The maximum you can get for exporting your solar-generated electricity is 16 cents/kWh. However, as mentioned the FIT is capped at 300 kWh per quarter.
Discover Energy’s rates are comparatively high compared to most retailers who give less than 12 cents/kWh.
Solar FITs depend on the electricity retailer. The first step is to determine if your retailer owns a solar FIT. Look for the following:
- The highest rate:- Some retailers can give you an excellent solar FIT to hide high electricity rates.
- Supply charges
- Retailer’s electricity rates
- Extraneous conditions:- For instance, if you receive benefit payments or Centrelink, the Australian Tax Office may consider such payments assessable income
- Your electricity usage:- If you export most of your solar energy to the grid, having a high solar FIT is ideal. But, if your system generates less electricity than you buy from the grid, then having a moderately priced solar FIT would be sustainable.
What is a good feed-in tariff in Adelaide?
A good FIT in Adelaide would earn you between 12 cents and 16 cents/kWh. Assuming you have a 6.6 kW system that produces 9,500 kWh annually. If you export 3,000 kWh at a low FIT of, say, 8 cents/kWh, you will save $240. On Discover Energy’s 16 cents/kWh tariff, you could save $480.
AIt’s a good thing then that Adelaide receives 8 hours of sunlight for 224 days of the year. So,lLots of sunshine means solar could earn you feed-in credits and save on your power bills.
You can always get a better deal if you shop around. Our comparison table shows you exactly which electricity retailers give the best solar feed-in credits.
Before October 2011, solar owners in Adelaide and the rest of South Australia earned a minimum of 44 cents/kWh. This generous FIT was to motivate homeowners and businesses to go solar. Those who got into this feed-in scheme at the time became eligible for the distributor FIT.
After October 2011, the Essential Services Commission of South Australia (ESCOSA) announced that solar customers would receive a credit of 16 cents/kWh. New connections to the grid were classified as retailer FIT.
After 1 January 2017, ESCOSA had eliminated the minimum FIT for South Australian utility companies in the Retailer Feed-in Tariff (R-FiT). This left the tariff rates to market competition. This change implies that as the solar owner, you may need to check out different retailers and choose the best rate and plan.
Although the current FIT is not as high as the 2011 rate, it has not deterred more homeowners in Adelaide from going solar.
Comparing Energy Providers in Adelaide
Here is a tabulation comparing the best solar FIT retailers in Adelaide:
| Company | Maximum solar FIT | Notes |
| Discover Energy | 16.0c | Up to 300kW every quarter |
| CovaU | 12.0c | |
| Dodo | 11.6c | |
| Ist Energy | 13.0c | |
| Momentum Energy | 10.0c | Max 10kW system |
| Energy Australia | 8.5c | Max 30kW system |
| Alinta Energy | 8.0c | Max 5kW system |
| Glow Power | 7.0c | |
| Mojo Power | 6.8c | Up to 5 kWh daily |
| People Energy | 6.8c | |
| Q Energy | 6.5c | |
| Powerdirect | 5.0c | Net metering system; Excludes GST for residential customers |
Top 5 Feed-In Tariffs in Adelaide
The top 5 solar FITs in Adelaide are given by:
- Discover Energy
- 1st Energy
- AGL
- CovaU
- Dodo Power & Gas
These five energy providers offer high solar FIT rates of 16 cents/kWh to 11.6 cents/kWh.
| Retailer | Maximum FIT | Minimum FIT | Requirements |
| Discover Energy | 16.0c | 6.0c | Max 3.3 kWh dailyLimited to 13kW solar inverter |
| 1st Energy | 13.0c | 8.0c | Capped at 10KW inverter size; Only on Solar Bonus plan |
| AGL | 12.0c | 5.0c | Solar Savers VPP capped at 10kW for inverters and residential customers. |
| CovaU | 12.0c | 0c | Terminating a contract extinguishes your credit without compensation |
| Dodo Power & Gas | 11.6c | 11.6c |
These are the standard tariffs for a 2-person household using 14.3 kWh and exporting 5 kWh per daily from a 6.6kW solar panel and 5kW inverter.
Discover Energy
The VPP Premium has a standard FIT of 45 cents/kWh with a daily export limit of 3.3 kWh. You are limited to a 13kW solar inverter.
For a 2-person household generating 5-10kW, the retailer solar FIT rate is 16c per kWh. The Greenpower rate is 4.95c with a supply charge of 67.99c per kWh.
1st Energy
This company has three plans:
- The 1st Solar Bonus plan has similar rates for standard and premium FIT at 13 cents/kWh. It is capped to a 10kW inverter.
- Standing Offer Plan has the same premium and standard FIT rate of 8 cents/kWh.
- The 1st Saver Plan shares similar FITs as the Standing Offer plan.
AGL
AGL has 8 solar FIT plans with different rates for standard and premium categories. The Solar Savers with VPP and the Solar Savers plans have the highest standard and premium FIT at 12 cents/kWh and 56 cents/kWh, respectively.
The Solar Savers with VPP needs an LG Chem or a Tesla Powerwall 2 battery. It is restricted to residential customers and has a capped inverter size of 10 kW.
The Super Saver, Standing Offer plan, Port Adelaide, Flexible Saver, Electric Vehicle, and the Senior Savers plans have the same standard FIT and premium FIT of 5 cents/kWh and 49 cents/kWh, respectively.
CovaU
CovaU has two solar-FIT plans:
- The Default Market Offer has a standard FIT of 12 cents/kWh. The premium FIT has the same rate.
- The Freedom Solar plan has a standard FIT of 5.5 cents/kWh. The same is true for the premium FIT.
Dodo Power & Gas
Dodo provides two FIT plans:
- The Standing offer has a standard FIT of 11.6 cents/kWh. Premium FIT is 44 cents/kWh.
- Residential Market has a standard FIT of 11.6 cents/kWh. Premium FIT is 44.0 cents/kWh.
Find your energy plan from the Australian Energy Regulator website.
Are feed-in tariffs in Adelaide worth it?
Yes, solar FITs in Adelaide are worth it. You can get tariffs between 4c and 16c per kWh.
What you may also find disappointing is the high grid electricity price. Unfortunately, the cost of wholesale electricity in South Australia is relatively high. The reason is that the current solar grid has limited bidirectional features. The network cannot feed the ‘exported’ electricity to the grid.
With advanced grid technology, you will be able to export more solar-generated electricity and earn more feed-in credits.
You may notice a disparity between what you earn and what retailers charge for that same electricity. If your tariff is 16 cents/kWh and the retailer marks up the cost to $30, it may feel like you’re on the losing end.
It is difficult to find a retailer who is willing to pay the total retail value of your exported solar-generated electricity. The retailer marks up the cost to cover for:
- Operating expenses for delivering electricity to a customer’s house
- Grid fees
- Government fees
- Profit
Despite these drawbacks, going solar is preferable to paying the high electricity rates that South Australia is famed for.
Going solar and selling to the grid has its incentives.
- You can earn credits from the exported electricity. The amount of solar feed-in credits depend on:
- Your solar system
- Benefits from the retailers
- Regional location
- Type of solar FIT: South Australia uses net feed-in tariffs.
- You become an active participant in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- You are protected from an electricity outage.
Conclusion
The best feed-in tariff right now in Adelaide is 16 cents/kWh by Discover Energy. However, there are a number of other providers you can look into as well who approach this rate.
The top 5 solar FITs in Adelaide are given by
- Discover Energy
- 1st Energy
- AGL
- CovaU
- Dodo Power & Gas
They offer high solar FIT rates between 11.6 and 16 cents/kWh. When choosing the best out of these 5 retailers, consider the supply charges, electricity rates, your electricity usage, the highest FIT rate, and extraneous conditions such as benefit payments. Your solar system, locality, and solar FIT type will also determine how much you can earn.
If you’re inspired to go solar, consider getting in touch with our expert installers. Our reliable team will install your solar panels and help you get the best feed-in tariff in your area.
If you are interested in looking at the best feed-in tariffs in other states click below:
The Best Feed-In Tariff Right Now in Melbourne
The Best Feed-In Tariff Right Now in Brisbane
Our Guides to Solar Rebates, Tariffs and More
We have a series of unique guides to solar, solar finance, batteries and more, if you are looking to do more in-depth research into solar finance check the below:
1. What Are Solar STC’s?
In this regard, the Australian government has provided incentives under the Solar Credit Program to encourage the installation of solar power systems. STCs or Small-scale Technology Certificates are incentives provided to small-scale energy generators. The most common example is the residential facilities.
2. How To Claim STCs
You can claim small-scale technology certificates (STCs) by assigning them at the point of sale to a registered agent like a retailer or solar installer. Each STC claim is unique to an installation. However, you can make more than one STC claim if you use different addresses for each installation.
3. State-Based Solar Incentive Guide For Australia
State-Based solar incentives in Australia offer low-interest loans, interest-free loans, free solar system installation, or free battery installation. The incentives are given depending on your state location. However, you receive solar incentives only if you are eligible.
4. Solar Incentives for Businesses in Australia
There are many incentives that business owners in Australia with solar power can enjoy. Some of them include Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs), Feed-in Tariffs, Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme (REPS), and more. These incentives promote the adoption of solar by lowering the installation costs.
Next Steps…
Interested in solar? By clicking below, you can use our smart solar calculator to find out just how much you could save with solar, what rebate you are eligible for, and the impact you will have on the environment.
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