Installing solar panels changes the way your home interacts with the electricity grid. You no longer just consume energy — you also generate it. That single change means standard energy tariffs are structurally unsuitable for solar households.
An energy tariff is the pricing framework that determines how you are charged and paid for electricity.
What you pay when you take electricity from the grid
What you receive when you send surplus electricity back to the grid
For homes without solar panels: Only import pricing really matters.
For solar homes: Import and export pricing are equally important.
Solar panels do not reduce electricity usage evenly. They change when electricity is used and when it is exported.
Many standard tariffs do none of these.
A standard variable tariff (SVT) is the default tariff most households are placed on. Prices can change at any time, and the same unit rate applies regardless of when electricity is used.
An SVT does not actively punish solar households, but it fails to unlock the value that solar panels create.
Lock in import price for 12-24 months. Offer price certainty but often have average export rates.
Best for: Solar homes without batteries, households prioritising stability over optimisation.
Prices change by time of day. Cheaper overnight, higher during evening peak. Solar generation reduces daytime imports.
Requires: Smart meter, willingness to adapt usage patterns.
Pays households for exporting solar electricity. Rates vary widely between suppliers. Not price-capped.
Key: Higher import rate + strong export tariff can outperform cheap import-only deals.
Default tariff, same rate all hours. Export payments minimal. Only a temporary option for solar homes.
Verdict: Should only ever be a temporary option.
Once a battery is added, tariffs stop being passive pricing and become an active strategy.
The goal becomes:
❌ Wrong tariff
Can make a battery underperform
✅ Right tariff
Can significantly increase returns
Standing charges are daily fees you pay regardless of usage.
Solar homes typically:
High standing charges therefore erode solar savings disproportionately.
When comparing tariffs, solar households should pay close attention to standing charges — sometimes more than unit rates.
Many solar households lose money by:
Solar panels do not guarantee savings. Tariff alignment does.
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is the system that pays households for exporting solar electricity to the grid.
💡 A slightly higher import rate paired with a strong export tariff can outperform a "cheap" import-only deal.
UtilityKing compares tariffs using solar-specific outcomes, not generic household averages.
No. You can switch suppliers freely, though export agreements may need to be updated.
Only for time-of-use tariffs. Export tariffs can work without one, but smart meters improve accuracy.
For most households, SEG income is tax-free.
No. Batteries deliver most value when paired with suitable time-based pricing.
In 2026, the biggest mistake solar households make is assuming that any "cheap" tariff will work.
See real savings based on how your solar system actually performs • SEG optimised • Battery ready