The short answer
South Australia has no minimum mandated retailer feed-in tariff. Retailers set their own. Tariffs have fallen sharply since 2023 because midday solar generation now floods the SA grid. The financial case for solar now rests on self-consumption rather than export.
Two types of feed-in tariff in SA
- Retailer feed-in tariff - what your electricity retailer pays you for exported solar. Set by the retailer, not the government. Adelaide retailers offer roughly 2-22c/kWh in May 2026 (most are 5.5-8.5c/kWh).
- Distributor feed-in tariff - government-mandated, paid through SAPN. Closed to new entrants. Only legacy customers connected before 1 October 2011 still receive it (at 44c/kWh, capped at first 45 kWh/day, ending 30 June 2028).
Adelaide retailer comparison, May 2026
Approximate retailer feed-in tariffs at May 2026. Always confirm current rates direct with the retailer.
- Origin Energy: up to 22c/kWh (capped, limited customers)
- AGL: ~8-12c/kWh (varies by plan)
- Energy Australia: ~5-8c/kWh
- Red Energy: ~5-7c/kWh
- Lumo: ~5-7c/kWh
- Diamond Energy: ~7-9c/kWh
- Powershop: ~6-8c/kWh
- Tango Energy: ~5-7c/kWh
- Powerclub: variable (market price feed-in)
- Amber: variable (wholesale-passthrough)
Median: ~2-5c/kWh. Compare offers at energymadeeasy.gov.au.
Why feed-in tariffs have fallen
South Australia has the world's highest per-capita rooftop solar penetration. At midday on sunny days, solar floods the local grid - sometimes producing more than the state consumes. Wholesale electricity prices go negative during these periods. Retailers cannot resell this excess at a profit, so they pay solar exporters less.
The consequence: self-consumption now matters more than export. A battery, EV, or time-shifted appliance use captures the value that used to come from feed-in tariffs.
Legacy 44c distributor tariff - what to know
If your solar was connected between 1 July 2008 and 30 September 2011, you may still receive the 44c/kWh distributor feed-in tariff (capped at first 45 kWh/day exported for post-September 2010 connections).
Key dates:
- 1 July 2008 - 31 August 2010: 44c/kWh, no daily cap, ends 30 June 2028
- 1 September 2010 - 30 September 2011: 44c/kWh, capped at 45 kWh/day, ends 30 June 2028
- 1 October 2011 - 30 September 2013: 16c distributor tariff (already ended 30 Sept 2016)
Triggers that cancel the legacy 44c tariff:
- Installing battery storage
- Replacing panels or inverter (depending on scope)
- Altering the grid connection
- Demolishing and rebuilding
Contact SAPN on 1300 665 913 before any modification.