Electricity shocker: SEQ electricity users face shocking solar rate variances

Southeast Queensland solar customers are facing more than 50 per cent variation in electricity charges, a report has found. See the best - and worst - deals.

Redland postman Jeff Wraight was refunded $300 after complaining about the extra he was charged under a new peak-hour tariff levied under a smart meter. Picture: Judith Kerr

A report into solar feed-in tariffs in southeast Queensland has found some residential electricity customers were being slugged more than 50 per cent more than others due to massive variances among retailers and plans.

The Queensland Competition Authority made the findings in its Solar Feed-in Tariffs in South-East Queensland for the June quarter published in October.

The report reveals stark contrasts in pricing among 22 energy retailers with Origin Energy emerging as the best value for money and a consistent performer across multiple categories.

Typical annual bills for residential customers on flat-rate tariffs ranged from $1460 with Origin Energy to $2504 with GloBird Energy.

Origin’s lowest flat-rate billing for residential customers of $1460 was one of the top deals in terms of affordability, with its highest residential flat rate charged at $2119.

Similarly, AGL and Alinta Energy offered flat rates peaking at $2089 and $2172 respectively for residential customers, but with small discounts for those on the fixed super economy controlled load rate.

Small business customers experienced a range from $1801 with AGL to $2561 with Blue NRG while Energy Locals was charging a maximum flat rate of $2487.

The report said the discrepancies highlighted the necessity for consumers to evaluate plans based on their unique energy consumption and solar export patterns, rather than solely on advertised feed-in rates.

Residential single feed-in tariffs by retailer for the June quarter. Graph: QCA

The report also underscored the necessity for greater transparency in the electricity market and came after pensioners were warned to check the fine print if offered a free smart electricity meter.

Dozens of bayside families, including Redland postman Jeff Wraight, have complained about being ripped off after transiting to the new meters.

The families claimed they were being slugged an extra 15c per kilowatt hour on a new smart meter tariff.

The warnings to consumers come as one of the largest class actions in Queensland’s history continues in the Federal Court, over electricity costs paid in Queensland from 2015 to 2021.

Solar inverter manufacturer SMA Australia’s energy policy and regulatory manager Darren Gladman said the QCA report highlighted the need for consumers to shop around.

SMA Australia’s energy policy and regulatory manager Darren Gladman. Picture: SMA

“Southeast Queensland consumers shouldn’t just chase the highest feed-in tariff,” he said.

“If you want to reduce your overall electricity bill, it’s important to understand the feed-in tariff — but it’s also very important to understand the cost of the electricity you will be buying.

“Prices change according to the time of day, or any other complications in the electricity pricing such as demand charges, and fixed charges.

“Consumers should also know how to change your electricity usage to reduce bills.”

He said the best way to analyse electricity pricing was to keep a record of all consumption, preferably broken down into 30-minute intervals for at least 12 months.

Data should be used to compare with electricity offers at particular times of year to allow consumers to choose the best for their household.

This can be a complicated exercise. That’s why Mr Gladman suggested consumers who really want to reduce their bills should seek advice from companies that are experts in analysing customers’ bills and choosing the best electricity offer for them.

Organisations including SMA Australia, which works with electricity pricing expert Catch Power, offer devices which allows the Distribution Network Service Provider to flexibly control the feed-in power.

The technology opens up potential market opportunities for electricity feed-in programs in Queensland and allows customers to better position their feed-in solar energy and respond to market demand.