The regional Queensland feed-in tariff for 2026-27 is 6.006 cents for each kilowatt-hour you export. It applies from 1 July 2026. For most homes that export a lot of solar, a battery is worth more than exporting, because each kilowatt-hour you store and use yourself beats one you sell at this rate.
Our solar batteries and hybrid systems page explains how a battery fits into a home system. This post covers the rate, what retailers pay on the Gold Coast, and how to work out your own answer.
Key Points
The regional Queensland feed-in tariff is 6.006c/kWh for 2026-27, from 1 July 2026.
That rate is about 31% lower than the 8.660c paid in 2025-26.
Gold Coast homes sit on the Energex network, where retailer offers are usually far lower than the regional rate.
A check of 217 Queensland plans on 19 October 2026 found a median offer of 3.0c.
Steven Hord's price for a battery added to existing solar starts at $16,000, after the rebate.
The Cheaper Home Batteries Program offers around 30% off eligible batteries until it closes on 31 December 2030.
What is the feed-in tariff for 2026-27?
The regional rate is 6.006c/kWh. That is about 31% lower than the 8.660c paid in 2025-26.
The Queensland Competition Authority set the rate in its final determination for 2026-27. The rate changes each financial year, so check it on the day you compare offers.
What do retailers pay on the Gold Coast?
Gold Coast homes sit on the Energex network. Retailers set their own offers there, and most pay far less than the regional rate.
The Authority recorded an average market offer of 3.88c for small business and 3.65c for households in south-east Queensland in 2024-25. A check of 217 Queensland plans on 19 October 2026 found a median of 3.0c.
Some of the best rates come with conditions. A quarter of the top-paying plans cap the higher rate at a daily export limit. Read the terms before you compare.
How do I work out whether a battery beats exporting?
Compare two numbers on your latest bill. One is your feed-in rate, which is what you earn for each exported kilowatt-hour. The other is your usage rate, which is what you pay for each kilowatt-hour you buy in the evening.
The gap between them is what each stored kilowatt-hour saves you. Multiply that gap by the energy a battery can shift each day, then by the days you use power in a year. That gives a rough annual saving to set against a written quote.
Your inverter app shows how much you export and how much you buy after dark. The smaller of those two numbers limits what a battery can shift.
What does a battery cost on the Gold Coast?
These are our prices with the rebate:
Battery only: $16,000 to $30,000.
Solar and battery: $22,000 to $45,000.
Two batteries, up to 108 kWh: $60,000 to $90,000.
Your price depends on single, dual or three phase power, a tin or tile roof, the number of storeys, site access, and whether we trench or run overhead mains. Prices are current as at October 2026.
Does a battery work with solar I already have?
Yes. A battery can be added to solar that is already on the roof. Our Molendinar job kept an existing 10.45 kW solar system and added a 32 kWh battery.
Your installer checks whether your inverter works with a battery before any quote. If it does not, the quote will say so and show the options.
What a battery does not do
A battery does not make power. It stores power your panels already make.
On a cloudy week, there is less to store, so the saving falls. Plan for that when you compare the rate with your bill.
When does a battery not beat exporting?
A battery adds little if you use most of your solar during the day. It also adds little if nobody is home in the evening, because there is not much spare energy to store.
Check whether your retailer's plan pays a higher rate at certain times of day. Compare that rate with what a battery saves before you decide.
Our guide to whether a solar battery is worth it on the Gold Coast covers the decision in more detail.
What does the Cheaper Home Batteries Program offer?
The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program offers households and businesses around 30% off batteries from 5 kWh to 100 kWh. The battery must be connected to new or existing solar.
The discount depends on usable capacity and the certificates the battery earns. It falls gradually, and the program closes on 31 December 2030. Check the official program page on the day you budget.
Our guide to the Queensland solar battery rebate explains the program in more depth.
Does a battery need a switchboard upgrade?
It may. A battery on a full-home backup system must meet the current standards. That can mean new circuit breakers on the mains and safety switches on each circuit.
We check your switchboard on site. Any upgrade the battery needs is in the battery quote. Our switchboard upgrades and solar guide covers the board in more depth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the regional feed-in tariff for 2026-27?
The regional rate is 6.006 cents per kilowatt-hour, from 1 July 2026. It is about 31% lower than the 8.660 cents paid in 2025-26.
Is the Queensland feed-in tariff the rate I get on the Gold Coast?
Not necessarily. Gold Coast homes sit on the Energex network, and retailers set their own offers. Check the rate on your current plan.
Does the battery discount apply to businesses?
Yes. The Cheaper Home Batteries Program covers households and businesses, for batteries from 5 kWh to 100 kWh connected to new or existing solar.
When does the battery discount end?
The program closes on 31 December 2030, and the discount falls gradually before then.
Find out if a battery beats exporting for your home
Send us your latest power bill, and we will work out whether a battery could beat exporting for your home. Get your quote at /get-a-quote or call 1300 153 011.
