Why the best solar feed-in tariff isn’t just the highest number

Welcome to one of the biggest shifts in home energy. For years, the game was simple: find the highest solar feed-in tariff, export as much solar as possible during the day, and get a credit. But with so much solar flooding the grid at midday, the value of that daytime power has plummeted. For 2026, if you have a solar battery, the conversation is no longer about the feed-in tariff—it’s about the export strategy.

A battery fundamentally changes your goal from simply exporting energy to strategically managing it. The smartest move is now to:

• Maximise Self-Consumption: Use your own free solar energy stored in your battery during the evening peak, avoiding paying retail rates of 30-40c/kWh or more.

• Strategic Export: Sell your stored solar power back to the grid only when the price is highest.

This is where standard, flat-rate feed-in tariffs become almost irrelevant. You need an energy plan that rewards you for helping the grid when it’s most stressed, and that means looking at time-of-use tariffs and Virtual Power Plants (VPPs).

Solar feed-in tariffs for homes with batteries Queensland 2026

Once you have a battery, your focus shifts from the daytime export rate to the evening export rate. A high feed-in tariff of 10c/kWh at midday is of little value when you should be using that energy to charge your battery for later.

The real value comes from plans that offer dynamic or time-of-use feed-in tariffs. These plans pay different rates depending on the time of day, offering significantly higher prices during the typical evening peak (around 4 pm to 8 pm) when grid demand is high and wholesale energy prices spike.

By storing your solar energy during the day and selling a portion of it during these peak windows, you can earn far more than you would on a flat tariff. This is the core principle that makes the payback period for a battery so compelling.

Time of use feed-in tariffs QLD 2026 explained

A time-of-use (ToU) feed-in tariff is structured to reflect the real-time value of electricity. While retailers have different names and structures, they generally follow a similar pattern:

Gigi’s Pro Tip: When looking at ToU plans, don’t just focus on the peak export rate. Also, analyse the peak import rate. A good plan offers a high peak feed-in tariff without charging an excessively high rate for any grid power you might need to import during that same window.

Compare electricity plans for solar batteries SEQ 2026

The “big three” energy retailers—AGL, Origin Energy, and EnergyAustralia—have all developed plans and programs specifically for battery owners. These are often tied to their Virtual Power Plant (VPP) programs, which are the key to unlocking the highest solar feed-in tariff rates.

Note: Rates and program details are subject to change. This table is indicative of current market offerings and trends.

From my analysis of dozens of system quotes, the plans that deliver the best financial outcomes are almost always linked to a VPP.

What is a Virtual Power Plant (VPP)?

Think of a Virtual Power Plant as a community of solar batteries, all connected via the cloud and working together. When the electricity grid is under strain (like on a hot summer afternoon), the VPP operator can draw a small amount of energy from each connected home battery simultaneously.

This instantly creates a large-scale power source to help stabilise the grid, avoiding the need to fire up a fossil fuel power plant. In return for allowing access to your battery, you are paid a premium for the energy you provide—often far higher than any standard feed-in tariff.

Key VPP Providers in South East Queensland:

• AGL

• Origin Energy (Origin Loop)

• EnergyAustralia (PowerResponse)

• Tesla Energy Plan

• Amber Electric

• ShineHub

Joining a VPP is the single most effective way to maximise the financial return from your battery investment in 2026. Case Study: A Family in Ashgrove The Tran family was frustrated with their quarterly electricity bills topping $700. They installed an 8kW solar system using Trina panels and a 10kWh Sungrow SBR battery, with a total outlay of $16,000. After applying the federal battery rebate , their cost was closer to $12,000. By joining the Origin Loop VPP, they now avoid evening peak charges completely and earned over $350 in VPP credits last summer. Their annual savings are projected to be over $2,400, giving them a payback period of just 5 years , and their last bill was in credit.

Understanding the Queensland government regulated solar feed-in tariff

It’s important to know about the government-regulated tariff, primarily because it’s a benchmark, not a target. The Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) sets a minimum feed-in tariff for regional Queensland (the Ergon network area). For 2025-26, this rate was set at 8.66 cents per kWh, a 30% drop from the previous year.

In South East Queensland (the Energex network), there is no mandatory minimum feed-in tariff. Retailers can technically offer 0c/kWh, though competition means most offer a rate. This regulated rate simply shows the declining wholesale value of daytime solar and reinforces why a “store and export high” battery strategy is now essential.

So, what is the best solar feed-in tariff strategy?

Forget hunting for a single c/kWh number. The best solar feed-in tariff in QLD for a home with a battery in 2026 is a complete strategy.

• Choose a Retailer with a VPP: Prioritise energy retailers that offer a Virtual Power Plant. Analyse their payment structure—do they offer a high flat rate for events, or a share of wholesale market prices?

• Select a Time-of-Use Plan: Ensure your electricity plan has different rates for peak and off-peak periods to reward you for exporting at the right time.

• Install a VPP-Ready Battery: Most modern batteries like the Tesla Powerwall 3, Sungrow SBR, or BYD models are VPP-capable, but always confirm with your SAA-accredited installer.

• Automate and Optimise: Let the VPP software do the work. It will automatically export power when it’s most valuable for you and the grid, maximising your returns without you having to lift a finger.

Making this shift in mindset from simple export to smart energy management is the key to unlocking massive savings and getting the fastest possible return on your solar and battery investment.

If you’re feeling unsure about which plan or VPP is right for your home, I can help. I can connect you with a trusted local expert who can analyse your energy use and recommend the perfect combination of technology and tariffs.