What Happens to Your Feed-In Tariff When You Add a Battery in Queensland?
- QLD Outback Solar
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
If your Queensland solar system dates back to before July 2012, there's a good chance you're still on the old 44 cents per kilowatt-hour feed-in tariff from the Solar Bonus Scheme. That's a seriously generous rate more than five times what new customers receive today and it's understandably something you'd want to protect.
So when you start thinking about adding a battery, the question comes up pretty quickly:
"Will it cost me my 44c tariff?" The short answer is yes adding a battery to a 44c feed-in tariff system in Queensland will in most cases void your eligibility. Here's what that means in practice, and what your options actually are.
Why Does Adding a Battery Affect the 44c Tariff?
The Queensland Government's Solar Bonus Scheme legislation sets out specific conditions for maintaining the 44c rate. Under the rules administered by Energex, you lose eligibility if you add an energy storage system that can either discharge at the same time as your solar system, or export to the electricity network which is exactly what most home batteries do.
Once the 44c rate is removed, it does not come back.
When Does the 44c Scheme End?
The Solar Bonus Scheme is currently scheduled to conclude on 1 July 2028. After that date, all remaining 44c customers will move to whatever standard feed-in tariff their retailer offers typically in the 5–10 cent range on the Energex network.
So Should You Wait Until 2028?
This is worth thinking through carefully with your own numbers. Here are the two scenarios:
If you add a battery now (losing the 44c tariff):
You lose the premium export rate immediately. However, rather than exporting at 44c, you'd store that energy and use it yourself avoiding grid power at 28–33c per kilowatt-hour. Depending on how much you currently export versus self-consume, this may or may not work in your favour financially.
If you wait until July 2028:
You keep the 44c tariff until it expires, then add a battery at that point. The Cheaper Home Batteries Program federal rebate (which launched July 2025 at roughly 30% off installed costs) decreases in value each year so waiting has a cost in terms of reduced rebate availability.
⚠️ FACT CHECK REQUIRED: Contact Energex directly or let us check on your behalf to confirm the Solar Bonus Scheme conditions apply to your specific system configuration before any battery work is undertaken. Rules can vary by connection agreement.
Are There Any Battery Options That Preserve the 44c Tariff?
Some AC-coupled battery configurations, designed without grid export capability, may preserve 44c eligibility in certain scenarios. This is highly specific to your system and requires formal confirmation from Energex before any work is done.
Do not rely on installer assurances alone get Energex confirmation in writing.
What If You Don't Have the 44c Tariff?
If you installed solar after mid-2012, you're already on a standard tariff and there's nothing to protect. Adding a battery is straightforward, and the 2025 federal rebate applies around 30% off the installed cost of an eligible battery system. The rebate value decreases annually from its 2025 launch, so earlier is better.
Regional Queensland (Ergon Network) Customers
For customers on the Ergon Energy network in regional Queensland, the current feed-in tariff is 8.66 cents per kilowatt-hour for 2025–26, set by the Queensland Competition Authority. There's no 44c legacy scheme applicable here adding a battery makes straightforward economic sense for households with significant evening electricity usage.
📞 Not sure where you stand? Give William a call on 0424 030 189 and we'll help you work out the best path for your specific situation: no obligation, no pressure.
All facts in this post are sourced from the following authoritative sources. We recommend bookmarking these for ongoing updates government rebate details and tariff rates change regularly.
1. Energex — Solar Feed-in Tariff Changes (Solar Bonus Scheme rules)
Official Energex page explaining conditions under which the 44c tariff is removed. Essential reading before making any changes to a 44c system.
2. Queensland Government — Solar Bonus Scheme 44c feed-in tariff
The official Queensland Government page on the Solar Bonus Scheme, including expiry date (1 July 2028) and eligibility conditions.
3. Queensland Competition Authority — Solar feed-in tariff 2025–26
Official source for the regulated Ergon network feed-in tariff rate (8.66c/kWh for 2025–26). Updated every financial year.
4. Federal Government — Cheaper Home Batteries Program
Official information on the federal battery rebate (~30% off), eligibility, and how the rebate decreases annually from 2025.
5. Why Solar — QLD Feed-in Tariff comparison tool
Regularly updated comparison of all current QLD retailer feed-in tariff rates. Useful for checking the current best available rate.
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