Two-way tariffs: what they mean for solar and battery owners
KEY POINTS
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From FY27, many DNSPs will introduce two-way solar tariffs, also called solar export or CER tariffs.
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Two-way tariffs generally reward exports during peak demand periods, usually in the evening, and may charge for exports during the middle of the day when the grid has excess solar.
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The details vary by DNSP, including reward rates, export charge times, import rates and tariff-change rules.
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Batteries are the key advantage because they let you store daytime solar and export when rewards are higher.
From FY2027, most electricity network distributors will introduce two-way tariffs, sometimes called solar export tariffs or CER tariffs.
Your distributor, also known as your DNSP, is based on where you live. You cannot choose a different distributor unless you move house. What you can do is understand the tariff structure that applies in your area and make sure your solar and battery are set up to work with it.
In simple terms, these tariffs are designed to reward homes for exporting energy when the grid needs it most, usually in the evening peak. They may also apply a small charge for exporting solar in the middle of the day, when the grid already has more solar than it can easily use.
For homes with a well-sized battery, this can be an opportunity. Store more of your daytime solar, use more of your own energy, and export when it counts.
The details vary by distributor, so the best move is to know your network, understand the rules, and set your system up properly.
Is a Two-Way Tariff Good or Bad?
It depends on your home, your habits, and your system.
A two-way tariff may work in your favour if:
- You have a battery with enough capacity to export during the evening peak
- You can use more solar during the day through hot water, pool pumps, EV charging or battery charging
- You can reduce solar exports during the middle of the day
- You do not regularly import large amounts of grid power during peak periods
It may be less suitable if:
- You use a lot of power from the grid in the evening
- Your solar exports heavily during the middle of the day
- You do not have a battery or flexible loads
- Your system is not configured to respond to tariff timing
This is general information only. Your result will depend on your location, system size, battery capacity, energy usage and the tariff rules set by your distributor.
Victoria
Powercor
Powercor’s Residential CER tariff rewards evening exports during the summer and winter peak seasons and applies a small charge for daytime exports during higher-solar months.
Key points:
- Export reward: 7c/kWh bonus between 4pm and 9pm during Dec-Feb and Jun-Aug
- Export charge: 1c/kWh between 11am and 4pm from Sep-May, above the free daily threshold
- Cheaper imports may apply during the daytime solar-soak window
- Higher import rates apply during the evening peak
This tariff is likely to suit homes with a battery that can store solar during the day and discharge during the evening peak.
The shoulder months matter. From Sep-Nov and Mar-May, daytime export charges may apply without the evening export reward.
CitiPower
CitiPower’s Residential CER tariff follows a similar structure to Powercor, with rewards for evening exports in summer and winter and charges for some daytime exports.
Key points:
- Export reward: 7c/kWh bonus between 4pm and 9pm during Dec-Feb and Jun-Aug
- Export charge: 1c/kWh between 11am and 4pm from Sep-May, above the free daily threshold
- Cheaper daytime imports may apply
- Evening peak import rates apply
This is best suited to homes that can use or store solar during the day, then export from the battery when the grid needs support.
United Energy
United Energy’s Residential CER tariff rewards evening exports during summer and winter and applies a small daytime export charge through the higher-solar months.
Key points:
- Export reward: 7c/kWh bonus between 4pm and 9pm during Dec-Feb and Jun-Aug
- Export charge: 1c/kWh between 11am and 4pm from Sep-May, above the free daily threshold
- Cheaper daytime imports may apply
- Peak import rates apply between 4pm and 9pm
This tariff may suit battery owners who can avoid heavy grid imports during the evening peak and control daytime exports.
AusNet
AusNet’s Residential CER tariff rewards evening exports every day of the week and applies a daytime export charge.
Key points:
- Export reward: 10c/kWh bonus between 4pm and 9pm
- Export charge: 1c/kWh between 11am and 4pm, above the free daily threshold
- Cheaper daytime imports may apply
- Peak import rates apply between 4pm and 9pm
This can work well for homes with enough battery capacity to store solar and export in the evening. AusNet may limit tariff changes, so it is worth understanding the conditions before making any tariff-related decision through your retailer.
Jemena
Jemena’s Residential Export tariff offers a strong evening export reward, but the daytime export charge is higher than some other Victorian networks.
Key points:
- Export reward: 15c/kWh bonus between 4pm and 9pm
- Export charge: 3c/kWh between 11am and 4pm, above the free daily threshold
- Cheaper daytime imports may apply
- Peak import rates apply between 4pm and 9pm
This tariff may suit homes with strong battery control, but if your system regularly exports a lot of solar during the day, the daytime charge could reduce the benefit.
New South Wales
Essential Energy
Essential Energy’s Residential Solar Export tariff includes both import and export components.
Key points:
- Export reward: 11.7212c/kWh bonus between 5pm and 8pm
- Export charge: 0.8277c/kWh between 10am and 3pm, above the 7.5kWh daily free threshold
- Peak import rates apply from 7am-10am and 3pm-10pm
- Off-peak rates apply outside those times
This tariff may suit homes that can use solar during the day, keep battery capacity available, and avoid heavy grid imports during peak times.
Essential Energy may limit tariff changes, so check the rules with your retailer before making a tariff-related request.
Other Distributors
Energex
Energex is expected to introduce two-way tariff rewards later in the year. More detail should be reviewed once final rates and timing are confirmed.
SAPN
Current available information only relates to FY26. Customers in SAPN areas should confirm the latest tariff structure before making system or usage decisions.
Ausgrid
Current available information may relate to FY26. Customers in Ausgrid areas should confirm the latest tariff structure before making system or usage decisions.
Endeavour Energy
Current available information is only relevant to FY26. Customers in Endeavour Energy areas should confirm the latest tariff structure before making system or usage decisions.
Evoenergy
Evoenergy does not currently have a two-way tariff available but one may come at a later time.
What This Means for Your Solar and Battery
You cannot choose your distributor, but you can make sure your system is ready for the rules in your area.
The homes that will be best placed are the ones that can:
- Store excess solar instead of exporting it in the middle of the day
- Use daytime solar for flexible loads
- Reduce evening grid imports
- Export from the battery during reward periods
- Keep the system configured properly as tariffs change
This is where good system design matters. Battery size, inverter settings, load timing and export behaviour all need to work together.
At Lightning Energy, we do not cut corners on this. We look at how your home actually uses power, what network you are connected to, and how your solar and battery can be set up to perform under the tariff rules that apply where you live.
Clear facts. Smart setup. Better control over your energy future.
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Written By:
Luke Cove
Managing Director
Lightning Solar & Electrical
