Solar Power in Terrigal

Ausgrid is a local electricity distribution network provider for parts of New South Wales, and it applies a default export limit of 5 kW per phase on residential solar connections. NSW has no mandatory minimum feed-in tariff; IPART publishes benchmark ranges each year and retailers set their own rates around them. For 2025–26, IPART’s all-day solar feed-in benchmark range is 4.8 to 7.3 cents per kilowatt-hour, with evening exports from 4pm to 9pm benchmarked at 15.4 to 20.4 cents per kilowatt-hour. The benchmarks are reviewed annually and reflect the wholesale value of exports, so self-consumption is now more valuable than sending energy to the grid. The NSW battery rebate ended when the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program began, which offers up to a 30% discount or $4,000 off eligible systems starting 1 July 2025. Under the federal program, a battery must be new, installed with a solar PV system, and installed by an accredited installer, and the discount applies to the first 50 kWh of new or added usable capacity. The support is delivered via small-scale technology certificates on the first 50 kWh, and batteries must be technically capable of participating in a virtual power plant, though enrolment is not mandatory. Since 1 July 2025, the NSW Peak Demand Reduction Scheme has continued to offer incentives for connecting a battery to a virtual power plant.