A solar battery can play an important role in that shift. It can store excess daytime solar and make it available later, when the home needs power after sunset. But the goal is not simply to install any battery. The goal is to create a smarter energy pattern where your home uses more of the solar power it already produces.
For many Australian solar owners, the old strategy was simple: generate as much solar power as possible, export the excess to the grid and collect a feed in tariff credit.
That strategy no longer works as well as it used to.
As feed in tariffs fall, the value of exporting solar becomes less attractive for many households. At the same time, the cost of buying electricity from the grid can remain much higher than the credit received for exported solar.
This is why solar self consumption now matters more.
Instead of asking, “How much can I export?”, homeowners should start asking, “How much of my own solar can I use before I buy power from the grid?”
Why Feed In Tariffs Are Losing Their Power
Feed in tariffs still matter, but they are no longer the main reason many homeowners invest in solar.
A feed in tariff pays you for excess solar electricity exported to the grid. Years ago, some households received attractive credits for exported solar. Today, many plans offer much lower export rates, and the gap between export credits and grid import costs has become more important.
Exporting solar often earns less than avoiding grid import
The key issue is the difference between what you earn for exported solar and what you pay to buy electricity back later.
If your retailer pays a modest feed in tariff during the day but charges a higher rate for evening electricity, exporting solar can feel inefficient. You sell energy cheaply, then buy energy back at a higher price when the sun goes down.
That is why self consumption often creates stronger value than export. Every kilowatt hour of solar you use at home can reduce the amount of electricity you need to buy from the grid.
Energy.gov.au also explains that feed in tariffs are typically much lower than grid import rates, so self consuming your solar generation can save more money than exporting it.
Midday solar has changed the grid
Australia has a huge amount of rooftop solar. On sunny days, many households generate more power than they need during the middle of the day.
This can push a lot of solar into the grid at the same time. When supply is high and demand is lower, exported solar becomes less valuable. Some networks are also introducing export rules and tariff structures to manage congestion and encourage households to use more energy locally.
This does not mean solar is losing value. It means the way homeowners capture value is changing.
A high feed in tariff is not always the best plan
Some households still chase the highest feed in tariff they can find. That can make sense in certain cases, especially for homes with large solar export and low usage.
But a high feed in tariff can sometimes come with trade offs. The plan may have higher usage rates, higher supply charges or less attractive off peak rates. A high export credit does not automatically mean the lowest annual bill.
Homeowners should compare the full plan, not just the feed in tariff line.
What Solar Self Consumption Really Means
Solar self consumption means using the solar power your system produces inside your own home instead of exporting it to the grid.
Direct self consumption
Direct self consumption happens when your home uses solar power at the same time your panels produce it.
For example, if your solar system generates power at midday and your home runs the washing machine, dishwasher, pool pump or air conditioning at that time, you use solar directly.
This is the simplest and often most efficient form of self consumption because the energy does not need to move through a battery first.
Stored self consumption
Stored self consumption happens when your solar system produces more energy than the home needs during the day, then a solar battery stores that excess energy for later.
The home can then use that stored energy in the evening or overnight.
This is where battery storage becomes important. A solar battery helps shift daytime solar into the hours when the household would otherwise buy electricity from the grid.
Why timing matters
Solar panels produce most of their energy during the day. Many households use more electricity in the morning and evening.
This mismatch creates the export problem. Your system may produce plenty of energy, but not at the time your home needs it most.
Self consumption aims to close that gap.
Export vs Self Consumption: Which Creates More Value?
The better option depends on your tariff, usage pattern and solar system size. However, many households now get stronger value from using solar at home instead of exporting it.
| Solar Energy Choice | What Happens | Typical Value Logic |
|---|---|---|
| Export solar to the grid | The retailer credits your bill through a feed in tariff. | Useful, but often lower than the cost of buying power later. |
| Use solar directly during the day | Your home avoids buying grid electricity at that moment. | Often strong value because it offsets retail usage rates. |
| Store solar in a battery | A solar battery saves excess solar for evening or overnight use. | Can reduce higher cost grid import after sunset. |
| Let solar exceed export limits | Some excess solar may be curtailed or receive limited value. | Usually weaker value because the home cannot use or store it. |
This is the main reason self consumption matters more as feed in tariffs fall. The value of solar increasingly comes from replacing grid electricity, not just selling excess generation.
How a Solar Battery Improves Self Consumption
A solar battery can help homeowners use more of their own solar power.
Without a battery, excess solar often leaves the home during the day. With a battery, some of that energy can stay on site and support evening usage.
It shifts daytime solar into the evening
The biggest benefit of a solar battery is time shifting.
Your panels may produce excess power at midday, but your home may need more energy at 6pm, 7pm or 8pm. A battery can store that daytime energy and release it when the sun goes down.
This helps reduce evening grid import, especially in homes with cooking loads, air conditioning, lighting, entertainment, home office equipment or family routines after work and school.
It reduces reliance on export credits
A solar battery does not remove the feed in tariff from the equation, but it can reduce how much your savings depend on it.
Instead of exporting most excess solar at a lower rate, the home may store more energy and use it later. This can make the household less exposed to falling export rates.
For homeowners comparing home battery systems, the real question is not just battery capacity. The better question is how much extra solar the battery can help the home use each day.
It can support smarter electricity plan choices
Some batteries can also work with time of use tariffs, off peak charging or free electricity windows.
This gives homeowners more flexibility. The system can prioritise solar charging, preserve battery energy for peak periods or use cheap grid power when the plan makes that strategy worthwhile.
However, smart settings matter. A solar battery delivers better results when the system charges and discharges at the right times.
When Self Consumption Matters Most
Not every home has the same energy pattern. Self consumption matters most when your household has a clear gap between solar production and electricity usage.
You export a lot during the day
If your solar system exports a large amount of energy during the day, you may have an opportunity to increase self consumption.
This does not always mean you need a bigger battery immediately. You may first shift flexible loads into daylight hours.
For example, you can run the dishwasher, washing machine, hot water system, pool pump or EV charger when solar production is strongest.
You import heavily in the evening
If your home exports solar during the day but still buys a lot of electricity at night, self consumption becomes especially important.
This is the classic case where a solar battery may improve savings. The battery can store excess daytime energy and reduce evening imports.
Your feed in tariff has dropped
If your feed in tariff falls, exporting solar becomes less rewarding.
This makes self consumption more valuable by comparison. Instead of focusing on export credits, the home should focus on avoiding paid electricity usage.
You have future electric loads
Homes are becoming more electric.
EVs, heat pump hot water systems, induction cooking and electric heating can increase household demand. If you plan to electrify more of your home, self consumption may become even more valuable over time.
The right solar battery setup can help manage that shift, especially if your daily usage grows after sunset.
When Export Still Matters
Self consumption is important, but export is not useless.
Homes with low daytime and evening usage
Some homes use very little electricity overall. If the home does not use much power during the day or evening, export may still make up a noticeable part of solar value.
A battery may not deliver strong ROI if the home does not have enough usage to discharge it regularly.
Larger systems with unavoidable surplus
Some rooftop solar systems produce more electricity than the household can realistically use or store.
In this case, export still matters because the home will continue sending some solar to the grid. The homeowner should still compare feed in tariffs, but they should not ignore usage rates and supply charges.
Plans with unusually strong export rates
Some electricity plans may still offer attractive feed in tariffs. These plans can help homes with large solar export, but homeowners should check the full tariff structure carefully.
A plan with a high feed in tariff may still cost more overall if it includes high import rates or daily supply charges.
Practical Ways to Increase Solar Self Consumption
Homeowners can improve self consumption before or alongside installing a solar battery.
Shift flexible appliances into solar hours
The simplest step is to move flexible loads into the middle of the day.
Run the dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, pool pump or hot water system when solar generation is strong.
If your appliances have timers or smart controls, use them to match solar production.
Charge the EV during the day when possible
An EV can absorb a large amount of solar energy.
If your car is home during the day, daytime charging can increase self consumption significantly. If the car is usually away, you may need a different strategy, such as off peak charging or battery supported household usage.
Pre cool or pre heat the home
Air conditioning and heating can shift some energy demand into solar production hours.
For example, you may cool the home before evening peak periods, then reduce grid import later. This depends on insulation, weather, comfort needs and household routine.
Use smart energy monitoring
Energy monitoring helps you see when your home imports, exports and consumes power.
Without data, many homeowners guess. With data, you can see whether your home needs behaviour changes, a tariff review, a solar battery or a system upgrade.
Add a solar battery when the usage gap is clear
A solar battery makes the most sense when your data shows a consistent pattern: excess solar during the day and meaningful grid import later.
If this pattern appears most days, storage may help increase self consumption and reduce electricity bills.
Solar Battery Size: Why Bigger Is Not Always Better
A solar battery should match your home’s actual usage pattern.
Size the battery around evening demand
If your goal is self consumption, battery sizing should start with evening and overnight import.
For example, if your home regularly imports 8kWh after sunset, a very large battery may not improve ROI much beyond that core need. If your home imports 15kWh to 25kWh after sunset, a larger system may deserve review.
Check seasonal differences
Summer export can make a battery look attractive, but winter conditions may tell a different story.
Shorter days, cloudier weather and higher heating demand can affect how often the solar battery fills. A good sizing decision should consider both summer surplus and winter usage.
Make sure the inverter supports the strategy
Battery performance depends on inverter capability.
The inverter must manage solar generation, battery charging, battery discharge and household demand. For example, Deye battery and inverter solutions can help homeowners think about battery storage, hybrid inverter capacity and future expansion as one connected system.
A larger battery may not perform well if the inverter cannot charge or discharge it effectively.
Self Consumption vs Export: A Simple Decision Guide
This table gives homeowners a practical way to think about the shift from export to self consumption.
| Household Pattern | What It Suggests | Best Next Step |
| High daytime export and high evening import | Strong self consumption opportunity | Review load shifting and solar battery options. |
| High export but low evening usage | Battery ROI may be limited | Shift daytime loads first and compare full electricity plans. |
| Low export and high import | Solar generation may not be enough | Review solar system size, shading and usage before adding storage. |
| EV at home during the day | Strong direct self consumption opportunity | Prioritise daytime EV charging when solar output is high. |
| EV away during the day | Battery may support home loads, not the car | Compare EV tariffs, battery storage and evening usage. |
| Falling feed in tariff | Export value may weaken | Increase self consumption and review retailer plans. |
The right approach depends on your data. A solar battery can help, but it should solve a real energy pattern, not just respond to a lower feed in tariff.
Questions to Ask Before Changing Your Solar Strategy
Before changing your plan, adding a battery or shifting household routines, ask a few practical questions.
How much solar do I export each day?
Look at average export, not only your best sunny days.
A high export number may show a self consumption opportunity, but you need to compare it against real household usage.
How much electricity do I buy after sunset?
Evening and overnight import often shows whether a solar battery may help.
If your home imports a meaningful amount after solar production ends, storage may reduce paid grid usage.
What is my current feed in tariff?
Check your current electricity plan.
Do not only look at the feed in tariff. Compare usage rates, supply charges, time of use rates and any export limits or conditions.
Can I shift loads before buying a battery?
Load shifting can improve self consumption without major equipment changes.
Try moving flexible appliances into daylight hours first. Then use your monitoring data to see whether a solar battery still makes sense.
Would a battery cycle often enough?
A battery that cycles regularly usually works harder for your savings.
If your home does not use much energy after sunset, a battery may not discharge enough to justify the cost.
Conclusion
Falling feed in tariffs do not mean rooftop solar has lost value. They mean the value has shifted.
Instead of relying mainly on export credits, Australian homeowners now need to focus more on self consumption. The more solar energy your home can use directly or store for later, the less electricity you may need to buy from the grid.
A solar battery can help with that shift. It can store excess daytime solar and support evening usage, making your home less dependent on lower export rates.
But the best result comes from matching the system to real usage. Before choosing a battery, review your export, evening import, electricity tariff, household routine and future energy needs.
At Solar Rains, we help homeowners and installers look beyond feed in tariff headlines. The goal is not just to export more solar. The goal is to use your solar power more intelligently, reduce grid reliance and build an energy setup that fits the way your home actually works.
FAQs
Why are feed in tariffs falling?
Feed in tariffs can fall when more rooftop solar enters the grid during the same daytime periods. When exported solar becomes abundant, retailers and networks may place lower value on midday exports.
Is solar still worth it if feed in tariffs are low?
Yes. Solar can still be worth it when your home uses more of its own generation. The savings often come from avoiding grid import, not only from earning export credits.
What does solar self consumption mean?
Solar self consumption means using the electricity your solar system produces inside your home instead of exporting it to the grid.
How does a solar battery increase self consumption?
A solar battery stores excess solar power during the day and releases it later when your home needs electricity. This can reduce evening and overnight grid import.
Is exporting solar still useful?
Yes. Exporting solar can still provide bill credits, especially if your system produces more than your home can use or store. However, export should not be the only savings strategy.
Should I buy a solar battery if my feed in tariff drops?
A lower feed in tariff can make a solar battery more attractive, but the decision still depends on your evening usage, solar export, tariff structure and battery cost.
Can I improve self consumption without a battery?
Yes. You can shift appliances into daylight hours, charge an EV during solar production, use timers, pre cool or pre heat the home and monitor energy usage more closely.
What is better, self consumption or feed in tariff?
For many households, self consumption creates stronger value because it avoids buying grid electricity. However, the best option depends on your electricity plan, solar output and usage pattern.
