Solar power for homeowners has become a cornerstone of modern Australian living, offering lower energy bills and a cleaner environmental footprint. But as feed-in tariffs decline and charges for exporting energy rise—a phenomenon now widely known as the “sun tax” in Australia—many homeowners are left wondering how to make the most of their solar systems. The good news? There’s a smart, practical solution: store your excess solar energy with POWERBANK battery by REA Power instead of exporting it to the grid. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about avoiding the solar tax, using POWERBANK effectively, and why REA Solar offers the best solution to future-proof your energy setup.

What is the Sun Tax—and Why Should You Care?

Originally, installing solar meant you could export unused electricity and earn generous feed-in tariffs. But now, with millions of systems feeding energy into the grid during the same midday period, network congestion has become an issue. To address this, regulators and energy retailers are reducing feed-in tariffs—some as low as 1 to 3 cents per kilowatt hour—introducing time-based export charges and even charging homeowners for exporting during high-supply, low-demand periods. This is what’s now being referred to as the sun tax in Queensland and elsewhere across the country: a financial disincentive for sending solar energy into the grid when it’s not needed. In fact, in some areas like Queensland, the issue has been described as the sun tax QLD, affecting many households that invested in rooftop systems expecting long-term savings. As part of broader discussions around solar tax in Australia, energy authorities are revisiting how distributed energy resources are integrated into the grid to maintain balance and reliability. This change has reduced energy bill savings, worsened the return on solar investments and exposed homeowners to greater electricity market volatility. If your solar system doesn’t include a solar battery, you could be losing money—even on sunny days.

How to Beat the Sun Tax: Store, Don’t Export

Before adding REA Power battery, it’s important to understand how much energy your panels are generating and how much you’re exporting. Most inverters or energy monitoring apps will show your total daily solar production, the energy used in your home and the energy exported to the grid. If you’re exporting a large percentage of your solar—especially around midday—you’re a prime candidate for battery storage. REA Power battery stores excess electricity during the day, allowing you to use it at night, during peak demand (when grid electricity is most expensive) or during blackouts (with backup systems). This ensures more of your solar energy stays within your home—lowering bills and increasing energy independence. Using a solar battery also protects against future regulatory changes. With ongoing policy discussions around the solar power tax, having a storage solution in place ensures you’ll always be able to make the most of your solar investment.

Why Choose the REA Power Battery?

The REA Power solar battery is built for the Australian lifestyle and energy market. It’s a high-performance, reliable, and intelligent system that works seamlessly with your solar setup to store power efficiently and maximise your energy savings. One of the standout features of REA POWERBANK is its smart energy management. The system automatically determines the best time to store power, use it within the home, or export it to the grid if economically favourable. This intelligent control helps you make every kilowatt count. The REA POWERBANK is scalable, meaning it can be tailored to suit households of all sizes—from low-energy users to high-demand homes. Its lithium iron phosphate technology ensures long cycle life, reliable performance, and minimal degradation over time. With optional backup power, it can even keep your essentials running in the event of a blackout. REA Power isn’t just about storage—it’s about giving you control. By keeping your energy onsite, you avoid the solar tax Australia is rolling out in various forms and benefit from greater security, predictability, and independence.

Why Choose REA Solar for Your Installation

Installing a REA POWERBANK system isn’t just about choosing the right hardware—it’s about getting the right team to design and install your system. REA Solar has built a strong reputation for delivering reliable solar solutions backed by engineering expertise and quality service. Every system is designed by qualified engineers and tailored to the specific energy profile and needs of your home. There are no cookie-cutter systems—just smart, efficient design that delivers real-world results. REA Solar only uses premium components, including tier-one panels, industry-leading inverters, and high-performance batteries. Everything is compliant with Australian standards and supported by solid warranties. From consultation to installation to ongoing support, the REA Solar team takes care of everything. You’ll have expert advice, transparent pricing, and real support from a Brisbane-based team.

With and Without REA POWERBANK

Without a battery – your panels generate 30 kilowatt-hours of energy, your home uses 10 kilowatt-hours during the day, and the remaining 20 kilowatt-hours are exported to the grid. At a low feed-in tariff of 2 cents per kilowatt-hour, you earn just 40 cents. However, when you use grid power at night, you’re paying 30 cents per kilowatt-hour—totalling $6.00. Net result: you lose money despite generating free energy. With a REA Power battery – the 20 kilowatt-hours of excess energy are stored instead of exported. You use that energy in the evening and avoid buying from the grid. You save $6.00 instead of earning $0.40. The net gain is $5.60 per day—or over $2,000 a year.

Practical Tips for Getting Started

Start by monitoring your energy use. Use your inverter app or a third-party energy monitoring system to track usage, exports, and grid consumption. This helps you understand your habits and your solar battery’s potential impact. Next, consider shifting appliance usage to sunny hours. For example, run your dishwasher, washing machine, and pool pump during peak solar generation times to maximise your self-consumption. Consult REA Solar for a custom energy assessment. Their engineers will analyse your household data and design a system that fits your needs, ensuring you don’t overspend or undersize your setup. Finally, check whether you’re eligible for any government battery rebates or virtual power plant programs. These can significantly reduce the upfront cost of installing storage. The REA Solar team can guide you through this process.

Your Next Step: Book a Solar Assessment

Avoiding the sun tax Australia is implementing across multiple states isn’t just about protecting your finances—it’s about gaining freedom from an unpredictable energy market. With a smart battery like REA POWERBANK and expert installation by REA Solar, you’re not just keeping the lights on—you’re taking control of your energy future. Call REA Solar at 1300 563 458 to book your free home energy assessment. The sun shouldn’t cost you money—make it work for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is sun tax in Australia?

The “sun tax” in Australia refers to charges or reduced payments applied to households exporting solar energy to the grid during times of low demand, typically midday. This occurs because the electricity grid becomes overloaded with excess solar power, causing instability. As a result, some energy retailers or networks have introduced time-based export tariffs, where you may be paid less—or even charged—for sending energy back during peak solar generation. It challenges the traditional model where homeowners earned reliable feed-in tariffs from surplus energy. Essentially, it’s a shift in how exported solar is valued in a saturated energy market.

How to avoid sun tax in Australia?

The most effective way to avoid the sun tax is by storing excess solar energy instead of exporting it. Installing REA POWERBANK allows you to use your generated energy at night or during peak usage periods when electricity prices are higher. This reduces reliance on the grid and ensures more of your solar production is used within your home. You can also manage appliances to run during the day, increasing self-consumption. Choosing a system like REA Power with innovative energy management helps you maximise savings and avoid unnecessary export fees.

Is it still worth getting solar panels in Australia?

Despite the evolving feed-in tariff landscape, solar panels remain a strong investment for most Australian households. Electricity prices are high and continuing to rise, so generating your own power significantly reduces long-term energy costs. Government rebates and incentives still make the upfront cost of solar systems more accessible. When paired with a battery, you can maximise the benefits by storing power and avoiding both high evening rates and the sun tax. Overall, solar helps households gain energy independence while contributing to a cleaner environment.

Is a solar battery really worth it?

Yes—especially if you’re exporting more than 30 to 40 percent of your solar. With low feed-in tariffs and rising grid costs, a battery lets you use more of your energy and improve your return.

Can I add a battery to my existing system?

Absolutely. REA Solar offers retrofitting solutions that can integrate REA Power battery with most solar setups.

What if I use more power in the evening?

That’s when stored solar energy becomes the most valuable. Your battery ensures you’re not paying peak rates at night for power you could have stored for free during the day.