Drop The 44 Cent Solar Feed-In Tariff Early To Maximise Your Battery Rebate
Many Queensland residents have enjoyed the benefits of the 44 cent feed-in tariff, but with changes on the horizon, now is the time to act to maximise your savings. The impending end of this generous scheme means that solar owners need to reassess their energy strategy to continue enjoying low or even non-existent electricity bills.
Changes In Solar Feed-in Tariffs
Impending End of the 44 Cent Feed-in Tariff in 2028
The 44 cent feed-in tariff has been a boon for many QLD homeowners, providing a significant incentive to adopt solar power. However, this scheme is scheduled to end in 2028. Currently, many solar owners with small solar systems, typically around 5kW, receive a substantial 44 cents per kilowatt-hour for any excess solar energy they feed back into the grid. However, QLD solar feed-in tariffs will likely drop to much lower rates, potentially even negative spot prices during the day. This shift will drastically alter the economics of solar energy for those currently benefiting from the 44c feed-in tariff.
Maximising Your Solar Investment
Upgrade To A Battery Before 2028
- Most 44 Cent FIT Customers have a smaller 5kW Solar System. (Ideally these should be upgraded to at least a 6.6 kW system).
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Solar Feed in tariffs are all going to zero. (Spot prices during the day are a negative 2 cents per kWh now).
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Inverters are out of warranty.
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The majority of old inverters are not Hybrid inverters and do not suit new DC batteries.
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Will need to move the majority of their circuits from Tariff 33 back to Tariff 11 to make best usage of their solar systems. This is resulting in expensive night time usage.
Example Bill After Battery Upgrade
Below is an example about what their power bill is going to look like in 2028 when the 44 cents is gone:
|
Daily Usage kWh
|
Day
|
Night
|
|
38
|
11.4
|
26.6
|
|
Daily Cost
|
$3.76
|
$8.78
|
|
Yearly Cost
|
$3,203.97
|
|
|
Daily Usage kWh
|
Day
|
Night
|
|
25
|
7.5
|
17.5
|
|
Daily Cost
|
$2.48
|
$5.78
|
|
Yearly Cost
|
$2,107.88
|
Future of Feed-in Tariffs in Queensland
Preparing for the Shift to Zero Feed-in Tariffs
As the solar feed-in tariff dwindles, particularly the lucrative 44c feed-in tariff, homeowners must strategically adapt to the new reality. This involves a shift from relying on solar feed-in earnings to maximising self-consumption of solar energy. Investing in home batteries becomes crucial to store excess solar generated during the day for use during peak demand or when solar power is unavailable. Upgrading your solar PV system, if it’s a small solar setup, to increase generation capacity can also mitigate the impact of lower solar feed-in tariffs (from 5kW to 6.6kW).
44 Cent Feed-in Tariff customers have enjoyed a $0 bill for the last 13 – 14 years. But now it’s time to get a battery with the maximum rebate amount and lock in another 13 – 14 years of close to $0 bills.
Contact our Energy Consultants to have a chat today!
Founder of Horan & Bird. Director of Master Electricians Australia and Board Member of Solar Accreditation Australia. John has played a key entrepreneurial role in the transformation of the Energy Landscape in Queensland.
