Choosing an electricity plan with solar and a battery

Once you have solar or a battery, your electricity plan matters more than ever. The right plan can add real value to your system, and the wrong one can quietly eat into it. Here's what to know, in plain English.

Do I need to sign up with a new electricity retailer?

No, you don't have to. You can keep your current retailer after installing solar or a battery. Your installer arranges network approval, and your meter may need to be reconfigured or replaced so it can measure power going both ways. Your retailer arranges the meter side.

But it's a good time to review your plan. Many households are on a plan that suited them before solar and no longer makes sense. You can compare NSW plans using the government's free Energy Made Easy website, which includes plans with solar feed-in tariffs.

Feed-in tariffs: why exports pay less now

A feed-in tariff is what your retailer pays you for solar you send to the grid. In NSW, retailers set their own feed-in tariffs, and they are generally well below the price you pay to buy power. Some plans also pay different rates at different times of day.

What this means in practice:

• Using your own solar is usually worth more than exporting it.
• Don't choose a plan on feed-in tariff alone. A high feed-in tariff paired with high usage rates or supply charges can leave you worse off.
• Look at the whole plan: daily supply charge, usage rates, time-of-use windows and the feed-in tariff together.

Time-of-use plans and batteries

Most homes with smart meters are on time-of-use pricing, where power costs more at peak times (usually late afternoon and evening) and less at other times. This suits a battery well, because the battery covers you during the expensive peak.

Some plans include free or very cheap power during the middle of the day. Since 1 July 2026, NSW retailers covered by the Default Market Offer have had to offer the federal Solar Sharer Offer, which gives eligible households with a smart meter three hours of free electricity from 11am to 2pm each day, up to 24 kWh. It's opt-in. Check the rates outside the free window, because they can be high, and compare it with other plans for your usage.

Virtual power plants (VPPs), explained

A virtual power plant links many home batteries together so a retailer or provider can use some of their stored energy to support the grid at busy times. In return, you usually get a sign-up credit, ongoing payments or better rates.

Things to weigh up:

• What you get. Credits, bill discounts or a higher feed-in rate. In NSW, joining an eligible VPP may also unlock a one-off NSW Government VPP incentive through the provider.
• What you give. The provider can discharge some of your battery at certain times, which may leave less stored for your own evening use or backup.
• Lock-in and exit terms. Check contract length, exit fees and whether you're tied to that retailer's other rates.
• Compatibility. Not every VPP works with every battery.

Batteries that receive federal battery STCs need to be VPP-capable, but you don't have to join a VPP. Top Power doesn't run a VPP itself, so we can give you a neutral view on whether one suits your battery and household.

A simple checklist

• Compare plans on Energy Made Easy using your own usage.
• Check the daily supply charge, peak and off-peak rates and feed-in tariff together.
• If you have a battery, look for low or free daytime rates and a peak window your battery can cover.
• Read VPP terms carefully before signing.
• Review your plan once a year, or after any change to your system.

Want help sizing a system to suit your plan? See our solar and battery storage pages or get a free quote.

Frequently asked questions