IPART has published its solar feed-in tariff benchmark ranges for 2026-27.
Consumers in NSW can expect to receive a flat rate solar feed-in tariff between 3.4 to 6.5 c/kWh from their retailer for the solar energy they export to the grid.
Tribunal member Jonathan Coppel said that the value of solar is based on IPART’s estimate of the wholesale price of electricity at the times that solar is exported to the grid.
“The solar feed-in tariff benchmark for 2026-27 is lower than the 2025-26 benchmark. This reflects that our estimate of the wholesale price of electricity, when solar is exported to the grid, has fallen,” Mr Coppel said.
“The decrease is mainly due to increasing electricity generation from grid-wide renewables and rooftop solar increasing the supply of electricity and putting downward pressure on prices.”
Mr Coppel said that most customers get the best value from their solar panels by using the solar electricity they generate, rather than exporting it to the grid. This allows customers to reduce how much electricity they buy from their retailer.
Retailers’ electricity prices are higher than the solar feed-in tariff rates because retail prices also include network costs, environmental obligations, and the cost of their operations. They also recover the higher cost of wholesale electricity prices when solar is not exporting, which are much higher than the wholesale costs in the middle of the day when solar exports are helping to power the grid.
The value of solar exports to the electricity system also varies based on the time of the day. IPART has also published benchmarks that show the value of solar exports at different times of the day. These benchmarks have much higher values in the late afternoon and evening, often more than 17 c/kWh.
IPART has published Fact Sheets to help consumers understand solar feed-in tariffs. These are available on the IPART website.
“When considering which plan is best for them, customers should consider all aspects of a retailer’s offer including usage and fixed charges and any conditions,” Mr Coppel said. “The plan with the highest feed-in tariff may not be the best deal overall.”
Customers can compare retailers’ offers on www.energymadeeasy.gov.au.
Media contact: Mark O’Brien
0427 105 865
media@ipart.nsw.gov.au