Fast Read
Yes, to get the best and highest solar feed-in tariffs in NSW, you almost certainly need a smart meter. While a basic feed-in tariff might be available with an older meter, premium rates—especially time-of-use tariffs that can pay over 20c/kWh in the evening—require a smart meter to measure when you export energy. Major retailers like AGL, Origin Energy, and EnergyAustralia all link their best solar offers, such as ‘Solar Boost’ or ‘Solar Max’, to smart meter technology. These plans offer rates between 8c and 12c/kWh for an initial block of exported energy, significantly higher than the government’s benchmark range of 4.8c to 7.3c/kWh for 2025-26.
Do you need a smart meter to get the best solar feed-in tariff in NSW?
Smart meter and solar feed-in tariff NSW: What’s the connection?
A solar feed-in tariff (FiT) is a credit your electricity retailer pays you for any surplus energy your solar panels generate and send to the grid. In NSW, the connection between a smart meter and your solar feed-in tariff is simple but crucial: a smart meter accurately measures how much electricity you export and, critically, when you export it.
Older meters, often called accumulation or spinning-disc meters, can only measure the total volume of electricity that flows back to the grid over a billing period. They cannot differentiate between energy exported at midday and energy exported in the late afternoon.
A smart energy meter, on the other hand, records your energy consumption and export in 30-minute intervals and transmits this data to your retailer daily. This functionality is the key that unlocks more advanced and often higher-paying feed-in tariffs.
Is a smart meter mandatory for any solar feed-in tariff in NSW?
While not strictly mandatory for any feed-in tariff, a smart meter is essential for accessing the best solar feed-in tariff rates in NSW. If you have an older meter, a retailer might offer you a low, flat-rate FiT, but you will be locked out of the premium offers.
Since 2017, all new and replacement meters in NSW must be smart meters. If you are installing a new solar power system, your energy retailer or solar installer will arrange for a smart meter to be installed or your existing one to be reconfigured. This is a necessary step to ensure your solar exports are measured correctly so you can be credited for them.
AU Solar Panels’s Pro Tip: Don’t view the meter upgrade as a hurdle. It’s an enabling piece of technology. A smart meter not only gives you access to better FiTs but also provides detailed data on your energy usage patterns, helping you shift appliance use to daylight hours to maximise self-consumption and save even more money.
Terms and conditions of highest solar feed-in tariffs NSW
The electricity retailers with the highest solar feed-in tariffs in NSW attach specific conditions to their plans. To access these premium rates, you will almost always need a smart meter, and the best rates are often capped.
Here’s a look at what major retailers typically offer for their premium solar plans:
| Retailer | Plan Name (Example) | Typical High FiT Rate (c/kWh) | Key Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin Energy | Solar Boost | 10c | Rate applies to the first 8kWh exported per day, then a lower rate applies. |
| EnergyAustralia | Solar Max | 10c | Rate applies to the first 12kWh exported per day, then a lower rate applies. |
| AGL | Solar Savers | 8c | Rate applies to the first 10kWh exported per day, then a lower rate applies. |
| ENGIE | Solar Offer | 10c – 12c | Often has a daily export cap before the rate drops. |
It’s important to analyse the entire plan, not just the headline FiT rate. A high feed-in tariff can sometimes be paired with higher daily supply charges or usage rates, which could offset your earnings. While the principles are similar for those looking for the <a href="https://ausolarpanels.com/brisbane-solar-panel-installation-quote/">best solar feed in tariff in QLD</a>, the specific rates and caps will vary.
NSW government smart meter solar feed-in tariff
The NSW Government does not set a mandatory minimum feed-in tariff. Instead, the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) sets an annual benchmark range to guide retailers and consumers. For the 2025-26 financial year, this benchmark for a flat-rate tariff is 4.8c to 7.3c per kWh.
Retailers are free to offer rates above or below this benchmark. The government’s role is to regulate the market, and its rules requiring smart meters for all new installations have paved the way for retailers to offer more sophisticated tariffs, such as time-of-use rates.
Case Study: A Family in Penrith The Sharma family was dealing with quarterly electricity bills over $550. They installed a 6.6kW solar system with Jinko panels and arranged for their retailer to install a smart meter. They chose a plan with a time-of-use feed-in tariff. By setting their dishwasher and washing machine to run during the day and exporting more power in the lucrative 4 pm to 9 pm window, their annual savings are now over $2,100. Their initial investment of $6,000 is on track for a payback period of under 6 years, and their last bill was in credit.
AGL, Origin, & EnergyAustralia solar feed in tariff NSW meter requirements
To access the best solar feed-in tariffs from the “big three” energy retailers in NSW, a smart meter is a non-negotiable requirement.
-
AGL meter requirements: To be eligible for AGL’s higher solar feed-in tariffs, such as the AGL Solar Savers plan, your solar system’s inverter capacity must not exceed 10kW in NSW. Their digital meters provide the detailed usage data needed to access flexible pricing and higher FiT rates.
-
Origin Energy meter requirements: Origin’s popular ‘Solar Boost’ plan, which offers a higher-than-standard feed-in tariff for an initial daily block of exports, is available for customers with basic or smart meters but relies on the smart meter’s capability for accurate tracking.
-
EnergyAustralia meter requirements: EnergyAustralia’s ‘Solar Max’ plan explicitly relies on smart meter data to calculate the daily export average for its tiered feed-in tariff. A smart meter is essential to benefit from these structured solar plans.
Time of use feed-in tariff NSW smart meter
A time-of-use (TOU) feed-in tariff is the clearest example of why a smart meter is essential for maximising your solar investment. These tariffs pay you different rates for the energy you export depending on the time of day.
IPART’s benchmark for TOU tariffs highlights the potential value:
-
Midday (e.g., 10 am – 3 pm): Lower rates, as solar generation is high and wholesale prices are low.
-
Late Afternoon/Evening (e.g., 4 pm – 9 pm): Much higher rates, often over 20c/kWh, as solar generation drops off and grid demand peaks.
Without a smart meter, it is impossible for your retailer to know when you exported your surplus power. A smart meter records these time-based exports, allowing you to earn significantly more for power sent to the grid during high-demand periods. This is particularly beneficial for households with west-facing panels or a home battery system.
The verdict: Is a smart meter worth it for solar owners?
Yes, absolutely. A smart meter is no longer just an optional extra; it’s a fundamental component of a modern, high-performing solar system in NSW. It is the only way to ensure you are eligible for the highest solar feed-in tariffs, particularly lucrative time-of-use offers.
By providing detailed data, a smart meter empowers you to make smarter energy choices, maximising both the solar energy you use yourself and the financial returns on the energy you sell back to the grid.
If you’re considering installing solar or want to ensure you’re getting the best return on your existing system, understanding your metering situation is the first step. If you need help navigating your options, we can connect you with trusted local experts. They can provide a clear assessment and help you find the best energy plan for your needs.
