Solar billing
Understand how billing works to make the most of your system and better manage your usage.
On this page
- Why you get a bill with solar Jump to: Why you get a bill with solar
- Solar feed-in tariff credits Jump to: Solar feed-in tariff credits
- Minimising bills with solar Jump to: Minimising bills with solar
- Primary account holder name change Jump to: Primary account holder name change
- Troubleshooting Jump to: Troubleshooting
Why you get a bill with solar
Even with a solar system, you’ll still get an electricity bill. Your solar system may not create enough power to cover all your usage, especially at night or in low sunlight. If you need more power than you create, you’ll use electricity from the grid.
Also, a daily supply charge still applies. This is the charge for delivering electricity to your home, even if you’re only using a small amount.
Solar feed-in tariff credits
You’ll receive feed-in tariff credits for the power you export to the grid, but only after your solar system has been installed and we’ve received documentation from your installation company.
Your feed-in tariff credits generally get paid onto the next bill for your electricity account.
Transfer excess feed-in tariff credits
You can transfer excess feed-in tariff credits toward the payment of other AGL bills, like your gas bill. To transfer credit from one account to another, contact us.
You can track your exports and manage your solar billing in My Account or the AGL app.
Minimising bills with solar
Use solar power
Run appliances that use lots of energy, like washing machines or air conditioners, during sunny hours when your solar system is creating power. This reduces the need to buy energy from the grid.
At night, when solar isn’t available, you’ll use grid power (if you don’t have a battery).
Depending on your energy plan, you'll either be charged:
- a single rate tariff, where the rate of electricity is the same throughout the day
- a ‘Time of Use’ tariff, where electricity is typically more expensive during peak times, like evenings, and cheaper during off-peak periods, like late night and early morning.
Learn more about electricity tariffs.
Find the right energy plan
The best plan for you depends on how much energy you use at home and how much solar energy your system generates.
If you generate a lot of solar power but don’t use much energy, choose a plan with a higher feed-in tariff.
If you’re regularly at home during the day, you’ll likely use more energy than your solar system creates, so choose a plan with lower usage and supply rates.
Store your solar
A solar battery can store solar energy that isn’t used in real-time. By using this solar energy later in the day when the sun’s not shining, you reduce what you buy from the grid.
Learn more about solar and battery management.
Track solar and usage
You can monitor your solar exports and energy usage through the day to find opportunities to minimise your bill.
Use the AGL app to:
- track solar exports in dollar value and kWh
- view energy usage and costs
- get notifications on the performance of your solar system.
For battery owners, check your battery’s charge, cycle and count.
Learn more about Using the AGL app.
Primary account holder name change
Depending on where you live, changing the name of the primary account holder on your bill may affect your feed-in tariff.
NSW, SA and VIC - a change in the account name should not have any impact on the feed-in tariff at the property.
QLD - a change in the account name will change your feed-in-tariff. For more information visit the Queensland Government’s Feed-in tariffs.
These details don't apply to spouses of existing account holders.
Learn more about how to Change contact details, account name and authorised person.
Troubleshooting
Solar feed-in tariff not showing on bill
If your solar panels have recently been installed but you’re not receiving credits, and assuming you're not using all the power generated by your panels, we may still be waiting for documentation from your installation company.
If it's more than a month since installation and you’re not receiving credits, contact us.
Solar bill showing 0kWh feed-in tariff
If you received a bill showing 0kWh feed-in tariff, you’ve either consumed 100% of the solar power you’ve produced, or your solar system isn’t working.
For information on whether your solar system is working properly visit Solar problems and repair.
