How Solar Works with Your Energy Provider on the Central Coast in Gosford, New South Wales
As solar energy continues to gain traction across Australia, many Central Coast homeowners are embracing the benefits of powering their homes with clean, renewable electricity. If you're considering solar panel installation Central Coast, one key aspect to understand is how your solar system interacts with your energy provider.
From feed-in tariffs and net metering to grid connection and billing, your relationship with your electricity retailer plays a significant role in determining how much you save—and earn—with solar.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain how solar works with your energy provider on the Central Coast and what you need to know to get the most out of your solar investment.
The Basics of How Solar Connects to the Grid
Once you’ve completed your solar panel installation Central Coast, your system will be connected to the grid. This allows your home to draw power from the electricity network when solar energy isn’t available (e.g., at night or during cloudy days) and export any excess electricity your panels generate during the day.
This grid connection is essential for:
Ensuring continuous power supply
Allowing you to benefit from feed-in tariffs
Enabling energy providers to monitor and credit your solar exports
Your inverter plays a central role in managing this connection, converting solar DC power into AC electricity for household use and export.
Understanding Feed-in Tariffs
A feed-in tariff (FiT) is a payment you receive from your electricity retailer for the surplus electricity your solar system exports back to the grid.
How It Works:
During sunny periods, your panels generate electricity.
Your home uses some of that electricity immediately.
Any excess is sent to the grid.
Your energy retailer pays you a set rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for that exported energy.
Typical Feed-in Tariffs in NSW:
Feed-in tariffs in New South Wales vary depending on the retailer and the plan you choose. As of 2025, FiTs generally range between 5c and 15c per kWh, though this can fluctuate with market conditions.
While feed-in tariffs have reduced compared to early solar incentives, they still offer valuable credits on your bill—especially if your system is well-sized and your daytime consumption is low.
Zeneco Energy offers guidance as part of our solar panel installation Central Coast services to help homeowners maximise the value of these tariffs.
Net Metering vs. Gross Metering
Most homes in NSW, including on the Central Coast, operate under a net metering arrangement.
Net Metering:
This measures the difference between the solar energy you generate and your household usage.
If you use more energy than you generate, you pay the retailer for the difference.
If you generate more than you use, you’re paid for the excess at your FiT rate.
Gross Metering (no longer commonly used):
This system exported all your generated energy to the grid and bought it back when needed. It was used with earlier government schemes but is largely phased out.
With net metering, self-consumption is key. Using your solar energy in real-time provides greater savings than relying on feed-in tariffs. Zeneco Energy helps you design a system that aligns with your daily usage patterns to optimise savings.
Smart Meters and Solar Monitoring
To accurately track your solar exports and energy use, you’ll need a smart meter. These digital meters:
Record electricity flows in both directions (imported and exported)
Allow for remote reading and real-time monitoring
Ensure accurate billing and feed-in credits
If you don’t already have one, your energy provider will arrange installation of a smart meter after your solar system is connected.
At Zeneco Energy, we coordinate with your electricity retailer to streamline the smart meter process following your solar panel installation Central Coast.
Choosing the Right Energy Plan for Solar
Not all electricity plans are created equal when it comes to solar. Some retailers offer higher feed-in tariffs, while others structure their rates to favour self-consumption.
When comparing plans, consider:
Feed-in Tariff: Higher isn’t always better—check usage rates too.
Usage Charges: These are what you pay per kWh when using grid electricity.
Daily Supply Charges: Fixed fees applied regardless of usage.
Time-of-Use Rates: Vary depending on when electricity is consumed.
For most solar households, a plan that balances reasonable usage rates with a competitive FiT will offer the best overall value.
Zeneco Energy helps customers on the Central Coast evaluate energy plans post-installation to ensure ongoing solar savings.
Export Limits and Grid Compliance
Some electricity distributors in NSW, including on the Central Coast, may impose export limits to prevent local grid congestion. This means your system might only be allowed to send a certain amount of power back to the grid at any given time.
Common limits:
5kW single-phase systems
10kW three-phase systems
While export limits don't affect how much energy you can use in your home, they may reduce the amount of solar you can sell to the grid during peak production times.
Zeneco Energy always ensures your solar panel installation Central Coast complies with these regulations and provides solutions like smart inverters or energy storage to work around export constraints.
Batteries and the Grid: Store It or Sell It?
Installing a solar battery lets you store excess energy for use when the sun isn't shining—reducing your reliance on the grid and maximising self-consumption.
Benefits include:
Lower power bills (less grid usage)
Backup during outages
Avoiding low feed-in tariffs
With battery-ready systems and hybrid inverters, Zeneco Energy gives Central Coast homeowners the flexibility to expand their solar system as technology and prices evolve.
If you have a battery, your interaction with your energy provider becomes even more strategic. You can:
Time battery charging to avoid high usage rates
Limit or delay exports based on FiT rates
Participate in Virtual Power Plant (VPP) programs
These setups allow your home to act as a mini power station—empowering you to take control of your energy relationship.
Billing, Credits, and Energy Statements
Once your solar system is online and your smart meter is activated, your electricity bill will reflect two things:
Energy imported from the grid (what you’re charged for)
Solar energy exported to the grid (what you’re credited for)
Credits from your feed-in tariff are automatically deducted from your bill, reducing your total payable amount. In some cases, particularly in summer months, your bill may even go into credit.
Many providers now offer detailed breakdowns of your usage, solar generation, and FiT earnings via online portals or mobile apps.
What If You Switch Retailers?
Changing electricity retailers won’t affect your solar system or its connection to the grid. However, you may need to re-register your solar export details with your new provider.
Before switching:
Check if the new provider offers a competitive FiT
Confirm they support your inverter monitoring platform
Review plan fees, daily charges, and customer reviews
Zeneco Energy can assist with provider comparisons post-installation as part of our commitment to ongoing customer support.
Final Thoughts
Understanding how your solar system works with your energy provider is just as important as choosing quality equipment and a trusted installer. With the right knowledge and energy plan, your solar investment can deliver strong financial and environmental returns for years to come.
At Zeneco Energy, we’re more than just installers. We’re your long-term solar partners — helping Central Coast homeowners navigate everything from feed-in tariffs to smart meter setups, ensuring you get the most out of your solar panel installation Central Coast.
If you’re ready to start your solar journey, speak to our team today for expert advice and tailored solutions.
