Who sets the Northern Territory feed-in tariff?

It is a government-set buyback, paid by Jacana Energy, the NT's government-owned retailer, rather than a competitive market rate. The NT sits outside the National Electricity Market, so the arrangements differ from the eastern states.

Is there retailer choice for solar in the NT?

For most households, no. Jacana Energy is the main retailer, so the government-set buyback rate does the work rather than competition between retailers.

Is a higher feed-in tariff always better?

No. A plan with a headline feed-in tariff often carries higher usage or supply charges that wipe out the benefit. Because most homes use a large share of their solar directly, self-consumption usually saves far more than export earns. Compare the total plan cost for your usage, not the feed-in tariff on its own.

Northern Territory solar feed-in tariffs

The Northern Territory runs a government buyback through Jacana Energy, outside the national market. Rates are set rather than shopped, and the headline numbers are among the more generous in the country — but retail choice is limited.

Source data last verified 21 June 2026.

Northern Territory — how it works

Government buyback scheme

All-day 9.33 c/kWh · Peak 18.66 c/kWh (3–9pm)

buyback scheme · 2026

Outside the NEM. Jacana Energy (main retailer) standard all-day rate 9.33 c/kWh; from July 2025 a peak rate of 18.66 c/kWh applies 3–9pm (rewards evening export). Among the more generous FiTs nationally. Verify current rates against the NT Government / Jacana source before publishing.

Regulator: NT Government / Jacana Energy · NT Government / Jacana Energy feed-in tariff

How Northern Territory sets its feed-in tariff

The NT is not part of the National Electricity Market; it runs separate power systems (Darwin-Katherine, Alice Springs and Tennant Creek). Jacana Energy, the government-owned retailer, pays a set buyback rate rather than one you shop between retailers for. Historically that has been a relatively generous, near one-for-one arrangement, but with little competition the rate is a policy setting, not a market outcome.

If you are working out which plan to be on, your distribution network here is Power and Water Corporation. Your retailer sets the feed-in tariff; the network shapes the charges around it, so the best-value plan is the one that wins on the whole bill for your postcode.

The number that matters more than the feed-in tariff

For almost every solar home, the usage rate — what you pay for grid power, mostly after the sun goes down — moves your yearly bill more than the feed-in tariff does. You buy more than you export, so a cheap usage rate beats a flashy export rate. The highest-value habit is not hunting for a unicorn feed-in tariff; it is using more of your own solar, and being on a plan that is cheap on the power you still have to buy.

Compare Northern Territory plans on total cost for your usage →

See how all states govern feed-in tariffs or read the July 2026 rate changes.

Common questions — Northern Territory

Who sets the Northern Territory feed-in tariff?: It is a government-set buyback, paid by Jacana Energy, the NT's government-owned retailer, rather than a competitive market rate. The NT sits outside the National Electricity Market, so the arrangements differ from the eastern states.
Is there retailer choice for solar in the NT?: For most households, no. Jacana Energy is the main retailer, so the government-set buyback rate does the work rather than competition between retailers.
Is a higher feed-in tariff always better?: No. A plan with a headline feed-in tariff often carries higher usage or supply charges that wipe out the benefit. Because most homes use a large share of their solar directly, self-consumption usually saves far more than export earns. Compare the total plan cost for your usage, not the feed-in tariff on its own.

Compare another state

Feed-in tariffs vary by retailer and plan and change frequently. Regulated/benchmark figures below are from each state's regulator; market ranges are indicative of retailer offers and should be checked against current plans. Self-consumption typically saves far more than export earns.

Reviewed by James Baker, Founder, EnergyPlans.com.au. Data last verified 21 June 2026. Methodology.