From Selling to Storing: The New Way to Win with Solar

There was a time when the general advice in the solar industry was maximise the number of panels you can install on the roof and benefit from selling your excess energy back to the grid and watching the credits roll in. That’s thanks to something called a feed-in tariff - a payment you receive for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of solar energy you don’t use and instead export to the grid.

But as feed-in tariffs continue to fall across Australia - including another drop from July 1 2025 - the equation is changing.

Here’s what you need to know about feed-in tariffs today, and why the smart money is on using as much of your solar energy as possible and increasingly on storing your solar energy, not selling it.

What Is a Solar Feed-in Tariff?

A feed-in tariff (FiT) is a rate your electricity retailer pays you for any unused solar power your system exports to the grid. When your solar panels generate more power than your home consumes, the surplus is exported and you earn a FiT, measured in cents per kWh. Think of it as you getting paid for power from your mini power plant.

In the early days of solar adoption, FiTs were generous, particularly through legacy State Government funded schemes – creating a strong incentive to install solar and feed back to the grid. But as millions of Australian homes and businesses installed rooftop solar systems, along with utility-scale solar farms, the amount of energy supply during sunlight hours became abundant , so those rates steadily declined. Today, FiTs are typically below 5c/kWh, depending on where you live and your energy provider.

That means the money you make from selling solar is a lot less than what you save by using it yourself — especially with electricity usage charges typically ranging between 24-43c/kWh.

Time to Rethink Feed-in Tariffs

Feed-in tariffs might have been a nice bonus, but they’re not the main game anymore. Self-sufficiency is. These days, the real value of solar comes from using the energy you generate to power your own home.

From July 1, many electricity retailers will once again drop feed-in tariffs — making it less rewarding to sell energy back to the grid. With falling feed-in tariffs and rising energy prices, storing your excess energy is the clear path forward.

That’s why more homeowners are pairing their solar system with a battery. Instead of sending excess energy away, you can store it and use it when you need it — at night, early morning, during peak times, or in a blackout. It’s energy independence in action.

🛠 Tip: The right solar company can also help optimise your system for higher self-use, which offers the greatest savings.

Why Homeowners Are Choosing Solar + Battery Systems

Solar and battery together means more control, more savings, and more protection from rising energy prices. It’s a smart upgrade — and it’s where the future’s headed. Here’s why homeowners are making the switch:

Lower Energy Bills: Maximise self-consumption and reduce your reliance on grid power when rates are highest.

Backup Power: Keep the lights (and fridge) on during outages and protect your home from grid interruptions.

Energy Independence: Stop stressing about rising electricity costs. Store what you generate. Use what you need.

Future-Ready: A battery system prepares your home for an all-electric future, including EV charging and smart appliances.

Sustainable Living: Cut your carbon footprint and be part of Australia’s clean energy transition — without compromising on comfort.

Ready to Make the Switch?

Whether you're installing solar for the first time or upgrading an existing system, a battery unlocks your full potential.

Take control of your energy today — get a personalised quote from Wattle Powr and start storing, saving, and living smarter.