Don't miss out: Time to create, store and distribute your own energy

Rooftop solar feed-in tariff slashed again to new low of just 3.3c/kWh

February 27, 2024

Getting solar energy installed used to be something you would do because you can make money of the excess solar energy you created and send it back to the grid...

The recent substantial cuts in rooftop solar feed-in tariffs in Victoria have ignited a critical conversation about the urgency of consumer energy independence. Victorian households have seen a sharp decrease in the amount paid for rooftop solar exports, with the state's regulator lowering the minimum flat-rate feed-in tariff to a new low.

This decline is part of a broader trend influenced by the increasing penetration of solar installations on residential and small commercial homes, which has significantly impacted wholesale electricity prices, especially during daylight hours when solar exports are most prevalent​​​​.

In an era where energy independence has become 'the right thing to do', the recent decrease in feed-in tariffs by Australian electricity retailers underscores a significant shift.

The only way to navigate this 'educational phase' towards greater energy independence as 'a consumer,' IMO, is to learn from the best and most trustworthy in the game.

One of the Australian leaders that I look up to is Finn Peacock (www.solarquotes.com.au) who founded his organisation and demonstrates his commitment every day to bettering the world through providing quality and authentic advice on solar and energy solutions. How he has the energy and time to reveal the greater good of the industry to consumers, I don't know?!

I remember being at 'All Energy Melbourne' in 2023, and there was this side show, away from the main schedule/agenda, and Finn casually sits down in the audience of this entrepreneur pitch session for an hour, and genuinely wants to hear what the up and coming innovators have to say. His commitment to the greater good of the industry and others like him is what inspires me and many more to ensure we do the right thing by those who are just beginning their journey in solar and energy storage.

I am still in a massive learning and growth phase of what I know about the industry but, people like Finn, and many others inspire me to remain in the industry.

Moving back towards my article heading; The Essential Services Commission has set the minimum feed-in tariff in Victoria at notably lower rates compared to previous years, reflecting changes in wholesale electricity prices and the growing influx of solar energy during daylight hours​​. EnergyAustralia's details on varying feed-in tariff rates further illustrate the evolving landscape of solar energy compensation​​.

This recalibration signals a crucial juncture: the increasing unpredictability of reliance on grid-supplied electricity and the compensation for solar energy fed back into the grid. It articulates a clear message – the pressing need for businesses and homeowners to fortify their energy resilience.

The Case for Comprehensive Solar Solutions

The reduction in feed-in tariffs coincides with an escalating need for robust and consumer driven energy solutions, integrating solar generation with battery storage to create a resilient energy ecosystem with far less reliance on the grid.

I have battery storage and back up power supply at my place.

We are secure in knowing that when the grid goes down or we lose mains power, my home is fully energised.

The value proposition of integrating solar panels with battery storage systems has never been more compelling. The cost of Solar and battery storage specifically modern battery tech, in Australia, is at an all time low! Do it now!

My system comprises of 24 x Jinko solar panels and a Sungrow single phase back up battery system. With our little family, this is the perfect solution for us, but correct sizing and support and guidance is the key.

Making sure that the system you purchase is bespoke and right for your energy requirements..

A Strategic Response to a Transforming Energy Landscape

The narrative is unequivocal: the path to energy security is through self-sufficiency. Solar installations, empowered by battery storage, represent not just a shield against the vicissitudes of grid reliance but also a forward-looking investment in a sustainable energy future.

It enables businesses and households to capitalise on their solar investment, maximise energy self-consumption, and reduce vulnerability to external energy market volatilities. Which we can not control.

The shift toward solar energy, augmented by battery storage, is not merely an economic decision but a strategic manoeuvre to navigate the increasingly unpredictable energy landscape.

You can do what I did and that was to start with just a solar system, and 1 year later I added a battery storage and back up power solution

It's a call to action for all home owners and businesses to secure their energy independence, ensuring reliability, sustainability, and financial protection defined by rapid and 'out of control' changes in the energy sector.