Time-of-use electricity tariffs: a guide for solar households

Your electricity plan affects the value of solar and battery storage. A time-of-use tariff charges different usage rates at different times. Before changing plans, look at when your household imports electricity, not simply the lowest advertised rate.

Read your own charging windows

Peak, shoulder and off-peak periods depend on the plan, location, day and sometimes season. Do not assume a neighbour’s schedule applies to you. Check your retailer’s current energy plan information document and whether your meter supports the tariff.

Put four things side by side

• The import rate in each period and the exact hours it applies.
• The daily supply charge, which is separate from usage.
• Solar feed-in rates, limits and time bands.
• Any demand charge, discounts, fees or controlled-load arrangement.

A plan with cheap daytime electricity can still be expensive if most of your grid use falls in its evening peak. A generous export rate also does not automatically outweigh higher import and supply charges.

A practical household exercise

Make a list of flexible loads: laundry, dishwashing, pool pumping and EV charging. Record when they currently run. Compare that schedule with your solar monitoring and tariff windows, then move one suitable load and check the result. Follow appliance instructions and keep comfort and safety in mind.

Where a battery fits

A battery can shift available energy to another time, but its size, losses, reserve settings and charging rules affect the result. Ask for a comparison using your actual interval consumption and current plan rather than a generic savings percentage.

Australian Government: electricity pricing plans and tariffs · Compare eligible plans with Energy Made Easy

Ask Greenbank Solar about your property · Explore battery storage

Reviewed 2 October 2026. General information; check your current retailer plan and the written scope for your installation.