Getting the most out of solar

See how much energy you use

Find out exactly how much energy you use, and how much you are sending to the grid throughout the day, through your electricity distributor’s online portal.

Electricity distributors own and manage the poles and wires that make up the electricity grid.

The distributor for your area depends on your location. It is different to your electricity retailer. 

Most of Yarra is within the Citipower distribution network, while parts of Alphington and Fairfield are in the Jemena distribution network.

You can also use a PowerPal smart energy meter to see the energy you use in real time on your phone. You may be eligible for a free PowerPal through the Victorian government's Energy Uprades scheme. 

Visit PowerPal to learn more.

Get the best feed-in-tariff

The feed-in-tariff is a credit your electricity retailer pays you for excess solar energy you export to the electricity grid. The minimum feed-in-tariff is set each year by the Essential Services Commission. Some electricity retailers offer more than the minimum amount.

Some households may not be able to export energy to the grid, or the amount you export may be limited. Your electricity distributor will tell you about any export limits shortly before or after your solar system is installed. 

If your system is permitted to export energy, look at your bill or contact your electricity retailer to find out what feed-in-tariff you receive. Ask if there is a plan with a higher feed-in-tariff available, or consider switching to a retailer with a higher feed-in-tariff.

Also consider the cost of buying electricity. A higher feed-in-tariff may not be the best value for you if it comes with a higher cost per kilowatt hour of electricity, or a higher daily supply charge. 

Visit the Victorian Energy Compare website to compare electricity offers.

For more information on the current minimum feed-in-tariff, visit the Victorian State Government website.

Switch to using energy during the day

With solar you can maximise your savings by switching your energy usage to when the sun is shining. Set your appliances, like washing machines, clothes dryers and dishwashers, on timers to run during the day.

If you’re not home during the day and you have electric heating and cooling, consider pre-heating or cooling your home in the late afternoon while the sun is shining.

Then turn off, or turn down, the heater or air conditioning when the sun goes down. Making sure your home is properly insulated and draught proofed will help even more with keeping the temperature comfortable.

Switch to electric appliances

Switching gas heating, hot water and cooking appliances to efficient electric ones will allow you to use your solar to power these appliances during the day. Modern, efficient electric versions of these appliances are cheaper to run and healthier, and there are rebates available to eligible households to switch. 

Borrow an induction cooktop from Yarra Libraries to test out induction cooking. 

With an all-electric solar home and a battery, you can power your home primarily with home-generated renewable energy.

Find out about how you can Go Electric!

Rebates for electric heating and hot water systems

You could be eligible for a rebate of up to $1,000 to replace your old hot water heater with an approved type of electric hot water systems. Visit Solar Victoria to find out about solar hot water rebates. Eligible households can now claim both the solar PV and hot water rebates.

You may also be eligible for additional incentives for replacing your inefficient gas hot water system or heater with an efficient electric alternative. Visit Victorian Energy Upgrades to find out more.

Improve your energy efficiency

Using less energy will save money on your bills and reduce your carbon footprint.

Heating and cooling make up the biggest portion of most households’ bills. 

Installing insulation, draught proofing, and improving your window treatments are all things you can do to keep the indoor temperature comfortable and reduce how much you need to use your heating and cooling.

Find out how to use less energy at home. 

Sustainability Victoria also has lots of information about saving energy at home.

Consider a battery

Installing a battery allows you to use your solar even when the sun isn't shining. You'll import less electricity from the grid and get more free energy from your solar system. In most cases, batteries can be set up to back up some or all of your home or business, so the power stays on in a blackout.

Homes, businesses and community organisations are eligible for the Federal Cheaper Home Batteries program, which provides up to a 30% rebate on the installation of approved batteries. 

The free SunSPOT solar calculator can also show you how much you could save with a battery.