Discover the plan benefits for your area
| Network area | Plan benefit | Peak export feed-in tariff rate | Peak export window |
| ACT - Evoenergy | 20% less than the reference price | 15c/kWh | 5pm - 9pm (AEST) |
| NSW - Essential Energy | 11% less than the comparison price set by the AER | 28c/kWh | 5pm - 8pm |
| NSW - Endeavour Energy | 15% less than the comparison price set by the AER | Up to 28c/kWh* | 4pm - 8pm |
*The feed-in tariff rate varies based on the season.
How it works
Step 1: Check you're eligible
Confirm your battery, address and meter qualify for the plan. (See eligibility below.)
Step 2: Switch to the Battery Advantage plan
Move to the Battery Advantage plan, with your existing battery in place.
Step 3: Schedule your battery to discharge during the peak export window
Your peak export window depends on your network area. (See table above). During that window, on the days that work best for you, the energy your battery sends back to the grid earns the higher peak feed-in rate. Outside of that window, any exports earn the off-peak rate.
Eligibility
You may be eligible to join the Battery Advantage plan if:
- You are a residential customer.
- Your property is in NSW or the ACT.
- You have an installed, net-metered solar battery that is able to charge and discharge at different times.
- You have a smart meter.
Virtual Power Plant incentive in NSW
If you own a battery and reside in NSW, you may be eligible for a one-off government incentive. Read more about the NSW Government's VPP connection incentive including eligibility criteria.
Illustrative earnings
What you could earn during the peak export window with the Battery Advantage plan.
This is for illustration purposes only. Your actual result will depend on your battery, how much you export, when you export and the rates in effect.
Assumptions used in this example:
- Usable energy exported during the peak window per day: 10 kWh/day
- Days per year exporting in the peak window: 260 days/year
- Peak feed-in rate: 28c/kWh in the Essential Energy network area in NSW
- Off-peak feed-in rate (what the same energy would otherwise earn): 2.5c/kWh
Based on these assumptions, the extra you could earn versus exporting the same energy at the off-peak rate is:
NSW (Essential Energy): ($0.28 – $0.025) × 10 kWh/day × 260 days/year = $663 per year
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is this a Virtual Power Plant? Will ActewAGL control my battery?
No. The Battery Advantage plan is a time-of-use feed-in tariff plan. Signing up to the plan does not add your the battery to a VPP. You keep full control of your battery and decide when and how much to export. If you’d like ActewAGL to help manage your battery as part of a VPP, please call us on 02 5110 2528 or email us on vpp@actewagl.com.au.
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Will the peak feed-in rate stay the same?
Usage and feed-in rates are variable and can change. If they change, we’ll notify you in line with your plan terms and conditions. Please note that usage rates can only be increased and energy payments, such as feed-in rates, decreased once per year on 1 July.
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Do I have to actively time my exports to benefit?
To earn the higher rate, it’s important your battery can be scheduled to charge and discharge at different times, especially during the evening peak window. If you’re unsure whether your battery has this functionality, check with your manufacturer.
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How do I change the export times on my battery?
It depends on your battery brand. Most systems let you set charge and discharge times in the manufacturer’s app. Here’s where to start for the most common brands:
If your brand isn’t listed or you’re not sure your battery can be scheduled, check with your installer or manufacturer.
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When is the peak window, and when is off-peak?
ACT (Evoenergy)
Peak window: 5pm-9pm, feed-in tariff 15c/kWh
Off-peak: All other times, feed-in tariff 3c/kWhNSW (Essential Energy)
Peak window: 5pm-8pm, feed-in tariff 28c/kWh
Off-peak: All other times, feed-in tariff 2.5c/kWhNSW (Endeavour Energy)
Peak window: 4pm-8pm, feed-in tariff 28c/kWh (November – March), 20c/kWh (April - October)
Off-peak: All other times, feed-in tariff 2.5c/kWh -
Is there is a lock-in contract or exit fee?
No.
Make your battery's evenings count.
See the Battery Advantage plan's peak and off-peak feed-in rates, check your eligibility and decide if the plan is right for you. You stay in control of your battery. Always.
Helpful Links
Footnotes and disclaimers
- Illustrative earnings. The earnings example is illustrative only, based on the stated assumptions, and is not a forecast, promise or quote of what you will earn. Your actual result depends on your battery, your export behaviour, the timing of your exports and the rates in effect from time to time.
Formula used: extra annual earnings = (peak feed-in rate − off-peak feed-in rate) × kWh exported in the peak window per day × days exporting per year - Eligibility. Subject to eligibility, including meter type, battery and location.
- Export times. For the ACT, these are given in AEST and are subject to daylight saving time adjustments. Customers are responsible for reprogramming their batteries to take advantage of the high export rate window.
- Service area. This plan is available to residential customers in the ACT and NSW.
- Battery export capacity. Subject to battery manufacturer's specifications.
- Feed-in tariffs: Feed-in tariffs are subject to the ActewAGL Small Generator Buyback Scheme. Please see full terms and conditions.
