The Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme is WA's government-set feed-in arrangement, replacing the older REBS. It pays a set rate for exported solar, higher during the afternoon and evening peak and lower in the middle of the day, to encourage exports when the grid actually needs them.

Why does exporting in the evening pay more in WA?

Because midday is when every solar system in the state is exporting at once, so that power is worth little. Late afternoon and evening — when the sun drops but demand stays high — is when exported solar is genuinely useful, so DEBS pays more for it.

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.

Western Australia solar feed-in tariffs

Western Australia is not on the national market. Synergy — and Horizon Power in the regions — pay a set buyback rate under DEBS that is time-based, so exporting in the evening peak is worth several times more than exporting at midday. Timing your export is the WA move.

Source data last verified 21 June 2026.

Western Australia — how it works

Government buyback scheme

Peak 10 c/kWh (3–9pm) · Off-peak 2 c/kWh

time-based buyback scheme · 2026

WA is outside the National Electricity Market (SWIS, retailer Synergy). The Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme (DEBS) pays time-based rates: ~10 c/kWh peak (3–9pm), ~2 c/kWh off-peak (rewards evening export / batteries). Most no-battery systems average under ~3 c/kWh across the day. Horizon Power (regional WA) uses location-based rates. Verify current DEBS rates against the WA Government source before publishing.

Regulator: WA Government (DEBS) · Synergy DEBS / WA Government

How Western Australia sets its feed-in tariff

WA runs a government buyback scheme, the Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme (DEBS), rather than a market of retailer offers. The rate is set, not shopped, and it is split by time of day: a higher rate for electricity you export in the afternoon and evening peak, a low one for the saturated middle of the day. A battery — or simply shifting exports later — is worth more here than in most states.

If you are working out which plan to be on, your distribution network here is Synergy (SWIS) and Horizon Power (regional). 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 Western Australia plans on total cost for your usage →

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

Common questions — Western Australia

What is DEBS?: The Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme is WA's government-set feed-in arrangement, replacing the older REBS. It pays a set rate for exported solar, higher during the afternoon and evening peak and lower in the middle of the day, to encourage exports when the grid actually needs them.
Why does exporting in the evening pay more in WA?: Because midday is when every solar system in the state is exporting at once, so that power is worth little. Late afternoon and evening — when the sun drops but demand stays high — is when exported solar is genuinely useful, so DEBS pays more for it.
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.