Understanding Aurora Energy's Solar Feed-in Tariff for Tasmanian Households

Yes, for most households, solar is a very smart investment in Tasmania. The key is to understand that the big savings come from using your own solar power directly—what’s called ‘self-consumption’—not from the money you get selling excess power back to the grid.

Aurora Energy’s solar feed-in tariff (the rate you’re paid for exporting power) is set to be 9.276 cents per kilowatt-hour (c/kWh) from 1 July 2026. When you compare that to the 28-30 c/kWh you currently pay to buy power from the grid, you can see it’s much more valuable to use the power yourself. Every kilowatt-hour of solar you use at home is one you don’t have to buy, saving you the full retail rate.

How do solar rebates work in Tasmania?

The main financial help for installing solar is the federal government’s Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES). This isn’t a cash rebate you get later, but an upfront discount on the price of your system. It works by creating Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) based on your system’s size and your location.

Upfront Discount: Your installer claims the STCs on your behalf and applies the value as a significant discount on your invoice.
Tasmania is Zone 4: Australia is divided into zones for STC calculations, and Tasmania is in Zone 4. This determines the number of certificates your system is eligible for.
No Guarantee: Eligibility for the SRES depends on your specific circumstances and the system meeting all requirements, but for most standard home installations, it’s a straightforward process handled by your installer.

This federal incentive is what has made solar much more affordable for Tasmanian families over the last decade.

What size solar system should I get?

For a typical Tasmanian home looking to future-proof, a system with around 13kW of panels paired with a 10kW inverter is becoming the new standard. This might sound big, but it’s designed to meet your future needs, not just your current ones.

Previously, 6.6kW systems were common. However, as we move towards all-electric homes with electric vehicles (EVs), heat pump hot water systems, and induction cooktops, our energy needs are growing. A larger system ensures you can power these devices with free solar energy.

The good news is that in Tasmania, the network distributor TasNetworks generally allows a 10kW inverter on a standard single-phase connection, which most homes have. This means you can install a powerful, future-ready system without needing an expensive three-phase power upgrade. For a household with very low electricity usage and no plans to electrify, a smaller system could still be a suitable choice.

Should I get a battery with my solar panels?

A home battery can be a great addition, but it’s important to be realistic about the payback period in Tasmania. While a solar panel system might pay for itself in around 4-6 years, the battery component typically takes longer, perhaps somewhere in the 7-12 year range.

Here’s a breakdown of the value a battery provides in Tassie:

Battery Benefit	How it Works in Tasmania
Maximise Self-Consumption	The battery stores your excess solar power during the day so you can use it at night, instead of buying power from the grid at the higher evening peak rate. This is its primary financial benefit.
Backup Power	A battery can provide seamless backup power during a blackout, keeping your lights, fridge, and other essential circuits running. This is a huge lifestyle benefit, especially in regional areas.
Future Grid Opportunities	While there are no major Virtual Power Plant (VPP) programs from retailers in Tasmania yet, some homeowners with wholesale price exposure can use automated software to charge their battery when grid prices are very low or even negative, and use that stored power to avoid buying power when prices are high.

Tasmania’s relatively fair feed-in tariff and lower peak electricity prices compared to the mainland mean the financial case for a battery is less urgent here. Its value is a mix of bill savings and energy security.

Is there a battery rebate in Tasmania?

There is no specific Tasmanian state government rebate for home batteries. However, a new federal government scheme may provide significant help.

The Cheaper Home Batteries Program, expected to start from 1 July 2025, is designed to reduce the upfront cost of an eligible battery system that is paired with solar panels. For a qualifying household, this could reduce the cost of a battery by around 30%. The incentive is structured to provide a set amount per kilowatt-hour of usable capacity and tapers down each year until 2030. As with any government program, eligibility will depend on meeting the specific criteria when it is released.

How can I get the most out of my solar system?

The secret to maximising your solar savings is simple: shift your energy usage to the middle of the day. When the sun is shining, your panels are producing abundant, free electricity.

Here are some practical ways to do this:

Run your dishwasher and washing machine during the day instead of at night.
If you have a heat pump hot water system, set its timer to heat the water between 10 am and 3 pm.
Charge your electric vehicle during the sunniest part of the day.
Use appliances like bread makers or slow cookers on a timer to run while the sun is out.

By consciously using your power-hungry appliances during these “solar hours,” you directly consume your own energy. This simple habit change can dramatically reduce the amount of electricity you need to buy from Aurora Energy and accelerate the payback of your solar investment.

This guide was written by the team at Solar Generation Tasmania. We’re a local team passionate about helping Tasmanians understand their energy options.

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Published by Solar Generation Tasmania. General information current as at publication — rebates, tariffs and prices change, so confirm current figures before deciding.