Solar tariffs for Townsville homeowners

Which electricity tariff is right for your solar home?

Choosing the right electricity tariff is one of the most important decisions a solar or battery owner can make. In Queensland, two tariffs are specifically designed for homes with solar and battery storage and they can significantly change what you pay. We help every True North Solar customer understand their options and choose the right structure for their setup.

Free electricity in the middle of the day

Tariff 12F — Solar Sharer

Tariff 12F is one of the most significant electricity tariffs introduced in Queensland. It provides up to 24kWh of free electricity every day between 11am and 2pm, designed to encourage households to use power when renewable energy is most abundant. For homes that can shift consumption into the middle of the day, the savings can be substantial.

Free electricity 11am to 2pm

The first 24kWh consumed between 11am and 2pm costs nothing. After 24kWh, the rate drops to 8.101 cents per kWh. This window is the heart of the tariff and where the biggest savings are made.

Low rate from 2pm to 4pm

From 2pm to 4pm the rate remains low at 8.101 cents per kWh, extending the window of cheaper electricity before the evening peak begins.

Evening peak 4pm to 9pm

Between 4pm and 9pm the rate rises to 49 cents per kWh. A battery charged during the free midday window can offset this expensive period significantly.

All other times

Outside the windows above, electricity costs 26.4 cents per kWh. The daily service charge is $1.78.

Why this tariff works well with a battery

On sunny days your battery charges from solar as normal. On cloudy days the free midday window gives your battery a second source of low-cost energy. Your battery can continue delivering value during the evening peak even when solar production is reduced. This makes Tariff 12F particularly compelling for battery owners whose systems would otherwise sit partially uncharged on overcast days.

Low daytime rate for solar and battery homes

Tariff 12E — Solar Soaker

Tariff 12E is designed for households that have solar, are considering a battery, or want to reduce their power bills by using more electricity during the day. Between 11am and 4pm, electricity costs just 7.004 cents per kWh, one of the lowest rates available anywhere in the Queensland residential market. Your solar system already produces the most power during this window. If it does not quite cover everything, you are topping up at an extremely low rate.

Low daytime rate 11am to 4pm

Electricity costs just 7.004 cents per kWh between 11am and 4pm. This is the Solar Soaker window and it aligns directly with peak solar generation hours.

Evening peak 4pm to 9pm

Between 4pm and 9pm the rate rises to 47.2 cents per kWh. A battery charged during the Solar Soaker window can discharge during this period, reducing what you buy at the peak rate.

All other times

Outside the windows above, electricity costs 25.6 cents per kWh. The daily service charge is $1.57, the lowest of all three tariffs on this page.

Even better with a battery

When solar does not fully charge your battery, the low daytime rate gives you the opportunity to top it up at minimal cost. Your battery then covers the expensive evening peak. The result is greater energy independence, more predictable bills and better use of your battery all year round, not just on perfect sunny days.

The default tariff

Tariff 11 — Standard residential

Tariff 11 is the standard flat-rate residential tariff. It was the default for Queensland homes for many years and is still what most households without solar or battery storage are on. It is straightforward but it is not designed to work with solar or batteries, and for homes that have them it is often the most expensive option of the three.

Flat rate all day

Electricity costs a flat 29 cents per kWh at all times of day. There are no peak or off-peak windows. Simple to understand, but it does not reward shifting consumption to cheaper periods.

Highest daily service charge

The daily service charge on Tariff 11 is $1.80, which is the highest of the three tariffs listed here. This fixed cost applies regardless of how much power you use.

No benefit from solar or battery timing

Because the rate is flat all day, Tariff 11 does not reward using your battery to offset evening peaks or taking advantage of midday solar generation. If you have solar and a battery, you are almost certainly better off on Tariff 12E or 12F.

Who is still on Tariff 11

Most Townsville homes without solar or battery storage are on Tariff 11. If you are on this tariff and you have recently installed solar or a battery, switching to Tariff 12E or 12F is worth reviewing. We go through this with every customer during the site assessment and at post-installation review.

Common questions

Tariff questions, answered

Which tariff is better — 12E or 12F?

It depends on your household. Tariff 12F offers free electricity in the midday window, which is more valuable if you have a battery that can charge from it on cloudy days. Tariff 12E offers a longer low-rate window at a small cost per kWh, which can suit homes with higher daytime consumption. We go through your usage data and help you work out which delivers the lower annual bill for your specific setup.

Can I switch tariffs if I already have solar?

Yes. Switching tariffs does not affect your solar system or its performance. You apply to your electricity retailer to change your metering structure. We can advise on whether switching makes sense for your setup and talk you through the process.

Does my battery need to be programmed differently for each tariff?

Yes. To get the most from Tariff 12E or 12F, your battery charge and discharge schedules need to be configured to align with the tariff windows. We set this up as part of every battery installation and can review and adjust the configuration on existing systems.

Is Tariff 12E or 12F available to all Queensland solar owners?

These tariffs are available to eligible households in the Energex and Ergon Energy network areas. There may be metering requirements. We confirm eligibility as part of the quoting process for new installs and can advise existing customers on whether they qualify.

What tariff should I be on if I do not have a battery?

Without a battery, Tariff 12E is still worth considering for solar owners because the low daytime rate aligns with peak solar generation. Tariff 12F is generally more valuable for battery owners who can charge during the free window. We go through this during your site assessment.

Will True North Solar help me review my tariff after installation?

Yes. Most solar companies do not help with this at all. We consider tariff optimisation part of our ongoing service to customers. If you are an existing True North Solar customer and want us to review your tariff in light of pricing changes, get in touch.

Tariffs at a glance

Tariff 12F midday

Free up to 24kWh (11am to 2pm)

Tariff 12F shoulder

8.101c/kWh (2pm to 4pm)

Tariff 12F peak

49c/kWh (4pm to 9pm)

Tariff 12F off-peak

26.4c/kWh (all other times)

Tariff 12E daytime

7.004c/kWh (11am to 4pm)

Tariff 12E peak

47.2c/kWh (4pm to 9pm)

Tariff 12E off-peak

25.6c/kWh (all other times)

Tariff 11 flat rate

29c/kWh (all times)

Service charges (daily)

12F: $1.78 | 12E: $1.57 | 11: $1.80

Prices current as at

July 2026