Tasmania Aurora Energy Solar Feed-in Tariffs Guide

Key Takeaways

• The Tasmanian Economic Regulator sets minimum solar feed-in tariff rates annually in Tasmania.
• Aurora Energy applies these regulated rates, which are 9.276 cents/kWh for the 2026-2027 period.
• Advanced meters record your solar exports in 5-minute intervals, ensuring accurate billing for your feed-in credits.
• Your solar system will automatically shut down during a power outage for safety, and may require manual restart.

What are the regulated solar feed-in tariff rates in Tasmania?

In Tasmania, the minimum solar feed-in tariff (FiT) rates are set each year by the independent Tasmanian Economic Regulator. Aurora Energy, as a retailer, applies these benchmark rates to eligible residential and business customers who export excess solar electricity to the grid.

For the period covering 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, the standard feed-in tariff rate for both residential (X4I/140) and business (X5I) customers is 9.276 cents/kWh. To be eligible for this standard rate, your solar system must be a single-phase system up to 10kW or a three-phase system up to 30kW.

How are solar feed-in tariffs determined and measured in Tasmania?

The independent Tasmanian Economic Regulator plays a crucial role in establishing the framework for electricity pricing, including the minimum solar feed-in tariff rates. This ensures a regulated benchmark for solar exports. Aurora Energy then implements these rates for its customers.

Accurate measurement of exported solar energy is essential for calculating your feed-in credits. Since December 2017, Aurora Energy has been responsible for coordinating the installation of advanced meters for its residential and small business customers. These advanced meters are central to how your solar exports are tracked:

• Data Recording: Advanced meters record usage data, including electricity exported from your solar system, in 5-minute intervals. This detailed data allows for precise measurement of your contributions to the grid.
• Remote Capabilities: They are capable of remote scheduled meter reading, which streamlines the billing process. They can also be remotely disconnected and reconnected if necessary.
• Compliance: Advanced meters are manufactured and installed according to Australian Standards and comply with electromagnetic exposure limits set by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency.
• Network Service Provider: TasNetworks is the network service provider in Tasmania. They are responsible for reading non-advanced meters until they are replaced. TasNetworks also handles new connections, reconnections, disconnections, and alterations to the network.

Understanding your solar credits and billing with Aurora Energy

When you have a solar system and export electricity to the grid, understanding how your credits appear on your bill is important.

• Estimated Readings and Zero Credits: If your quarterly bill is based on estimated readings, you might see "zero kWh" displayed in your feed-in credits section. This does not mean you have lost your credits. You will see the accumulated credits applied to your bill the next time a true meter reading is obtained.
• Usage Comparison Graph Inaccuracy: The usage comparison graph on your bill may not accurately reflect your actual household consumption when you have a solar feed-in tariff. This is because Aurora Energy does not have access to the amount of solar energy you generate and use yourself. Additionally, your exported solar energy (the solar you do not use and feed into the grid) is added to the total kWh used in this graph, which can lead to a misleading representation of your consumption.
• Aurora+ App Monitoring: If you are an aurora+ customer, the app can provide more detailed insights. It displays your 'net' solar, which is the amount of solar energy you are exporting to the grid, down to the hour. This allows you to monitor your exports more closely.

Solar system behaviour during a power outage

Solar systems are designed with safety features to protect both your property and network workers.

• Automatic Cut-out: For your safety, your solar system will automatically cut out during a power outage on the grid it is connected to. This mechanism prevents your system from feeding electricity back into the grid while it is being worked on, which could pose a serious risk to technicians.
• Inverter Restart: It is important to note that not all solar inverters will switch back on automatically after a power outage. Depending on your inverter model, you may need to manually restart it once grid power has been restored. Consult your inverter's manual or your installer for specific instructions.
• Safety First: Never attempt to inspect or repair your solar system yourself, especially during or after a power outage. If your inverter does not restart automatically, or if you have any concerns about your system's operation, contact your accredited solar installer. Any work involving opening the unit or accessing internal components should only be performed by authorised service personnel. Always ensure PV, battery, and AC breakers are isolated, and allow for the manual's specified capacitor discharge time before any professional service.

What you can check yourself, and what you cannot

As a homeowner, you can perform basic checks to monitor your solar system's performance and billing, but certain tasks require an accredited professional.

What you can check yourself:

• Review your bills: Check for feed-in credits and understand how estimated readings might affect their display.
• Monitor your Aurora+ app: If you have it, use the app to track your hourly 'net' solar exports.
• Observe your inverter display: Many inverters show current generation and export figures.
• Check for inverter error messages: Note any error codes displayed on your inverter, but do not attempt to clear them or troubleshoot beyond basic observation.

What you cannot do yourself:

• Change inverter settings: Grid-protection settings are configured by an accredited installer to comply with Australian inverter connection standards and your connection agreement. Changing these settings yourself can breach your agreement and compromise safety.
• Perform electrical work: Any work involving wiring, connections, or opening your inverter or meter box must be done by a licensed electrician or accredited solar installer.
• Diagnose complex issues: If your system is consistently underperforming, not exporting, or displaying persistent errors, it requires professional diagnosis.

TasNetworks is responsible for the repair and replacement of its faulty equipment (with the exception of meters) and for ensuring the network infrastructure is sound. For issues related to your meter or billing, contact Aurora Energy. For issues with your solar system's operation, contact your accredited solar installer.

What the published sources do not tell you

While the Tasmanian Economic Regulator and Aurora Energy provide clear information on feed-in tariffs and advanced meters, some specific details are not publicly available in the provided sources:

• The exact definition or criteria for "regulated small customers" in the context of feed-in tariffs.
• Specific details on how quarterly credits are calculated or applied beyond the general statement that they will appear on the next true reading.
• Information on the process for customers whose solar system exceeds the size limits for the Standard Feed-in Tariff (e.g., over 30kW for three-phase systems), other than to contact Aurora Energy to discuss the FiT rate.
• The full details of various technical documents and contracts referenced by TasNetworks, such as the "Electricity Connection Contract - Standard Terms & Conditions" or the "Service and Installation Rules (SIR)".
• The specific contact details for the Tasmanian Economic Regulator to learn more about how they set the feed-in tariff.

These details often require direct consultation with the relevant authority or access to specific contractual documents.