Compare business solar sponge plans in NSW QLD and SA

Looking to compare small business Solar Sponge Plans?

In 2020, some electricity networks in NSW and Queensland introduced “solar sponge” tariffs for small businesses. These encourage users to ‘soak up’ cheaper power during the day when there is an abundance of solar energy. So these Time Of Use tariffs come with an off-peak period in the middle of the day – from 10am-3pm or even longer.

Solar sponge tariffs can offer substantial savings for non-solar businesses as well as some solar businesses, who can take advantage of the low electricity rates in the middle of the day. We’ve summarised the energy plans currently in New South Wales and Queensland.

Do you need a new meter?

If you have solar, you should already have an interval or smart meter that measures your energy usage in 30 minute increments and you can ask your existing or new retailer to switch to these tariffs. If you only have an accumulation meter, then you will need to contact your retailer to have your meter upgraded. This new meter will likely be a smart meter which updates your usage (and solar export) daily to your retailer, removing the need for meter readers to read your meter every quarter and also giving you access to more detailed usage and solar export data in the retailers online portal.

Want to find the best deals for you?

Low usage rates are important, but to find the best deal for your homes unique energy use, you’ll want to see the cheapest combination of rates, daily charges, controlled load rates and feed-in tariffs (if you have solar). We make it easy to get it right when you compare with WATTever’s comprehensive electricity comparison. You’ll see a personalised cost ranking of all publicly listed electricity plans, based on your energy use to help you make serious savings. We include all retailers, tariff types, discounts, solar feed-in tariffs, input for concessions and more. For extra tips check out our essential guide to comparing electricity properly.

Select your State/Territory:

NSW

QLD

NSW

Solar Sponge Time Of Use 2 Rate small business tariff (N91) plans for the Endeavour Energy network (Western Sydney, Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands and Illawarra)

TOU Periods: High-Season Peak (Nov to Mar) = 4pm-8pm weekdays exc. Public Holidays, Low-Season Peak (Apr to Oct) = 4pm-8pm weekdays exc. Public Holidays, Off-Peak = all other times

Customer Code	Network	Retailer	Tariff Type	Peak TOU	Non Summer Peak TOU	Shoulder TOU	Off-Peak TOU	Daily Charge^	Reference Price *	Max. Discount off Reference Price Sort
BUS001	Endeavour Energy	1st Energy	Two Rate TOU (5 day)	44.35c	44.35c	31.58c	31.58c	216.81c	5% less than	1,050
BUS001	Endeavour Energy	ActewAGL	Two Rate TOU (5 day)	51.98c	51.98c	39.80c	31.26c	172.42c	7% more than	930
BUS001	Endeavour Energy	CovaU	Two Rate TOU (5 day)	59.42c	48.51c	35.00c	35.00c	176.00c	1% more than	990
BUS001	Endeavour Energy	Momentum Energy	Two Rate TOU (5 day)	58.52c	58.52c	48.29c	36.41c	269.94c	33% more than	670
BUS001	Endeavour Energy	Next Business Energy	Two Rate TOU (5 day)	43.50c	43.50c	35.13c	35.13c	103.02c	8% less than	1,080
BUS001	Endeavour Energy	Powershop	Two Rate TOU (5 day)	38.01c	38.01c	30.16c	30.16c	88.19c	21% less than	1,210
BUS001	Endeavour Energy	Red Energy	Two Rate TOU (5 day)	49.50c	49.50c	24.18c	24.18c	109.34c	25% less than	1,250
BUS001	Endeavour Energy	AGL	Two Rate TOU (5 day)	53.99c	41.78c	33.24c	33.24c	138.27c	8% less than	1,080
BUS001	Endeavour Energy	Amber	Two Rate TOU (5 day)	40.24c	40.24c	40.24c	40.24c	199.35c	6% more than **	941
BUS001	Endeavour Energy	Energy Locals	Two Rate TOU (5 day)	43.00c	34.50c	31.00c	22.50c	236.82c	15% less than **	1,151
BUS001	Endeavour Energy	ENGIE	Two Rate TOU (5 day)	55.21c	30.67c	32.36c	32.36c	111.67c	15% less than **	1,151
BUS001	Endeavour Energy	Sumo	Two Rate TOU (5 day)	45.10c	45.10c	35.20c	35.20c	137.50c	5% less than	1,051

QLD

Solar Sponge Time Of Use small business tariff (6800) plans for the Energex Network (South East Queensland)

TOU Periods: Off-Peak = 9am-4pm, Shoulder = 9pm to 9am and Peak = 4pm-9pm

Customer Code	Network	Retailer	Tariff Type	Peak TOU	Shoulder TOU	Off-Peak TOU	Daily Charge^	Reference Price *	Max. Discount off Reference Price Sort
BUS001	Energex	Powershop	Time Of Use	42.84c	32.31c	26.49c	82.76c	15% less than	1,150
BUS001	Energex	Red Energy	Time Of Use	38.87c	32.87c	31.00c	153.35c	7% less than	1,070
BUS001	Energex	AGL	Time Of Use	43.96c	32.96c	27.46c	144.25c	8% less than	1,080
BUS001	Energex	Energy Locals	Time Of Use	39.00c	22.50c	33.50c	371.82c	2% less than **	1,021

Solar Sponge Time Of Use small business tariff (22B) plans for the Ergon Energy Network (Regional Queensland)

TOU Periods: Off-Peak = 9am-4pm, Shoulder = 9pm to 9am and Peak = 4pm-9pm

Customer Code	Network	Retailer	Tariff Type	Peak TOU	Non Summer Peak TOU	Shoulder TOU	Off-Peak TOU	Daily Charge^	Reference Price *	Link to Plans	Max. Discount off Reference Price Sort
BUS001	Ergon Energy	Ergon Energy	Time Of Use	47.69c		41.39c	29.41c	162.84c	N/A

^ Rates shown include GST and all available discounts. Plans are updated weekly from retailer’s Basic Plan Information Documents (BPIDs)/Energy Price Fact Sheets

2024-25 DMO electricity price pause

May 23, 2024

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has today announced its final determination for the 2024-25 DMO electricity price. The good news is electricity prices rises are on pause – with a small decrease!

2024-25 Victorian Default Offer electricity price fall

May 21, 2024

Victoria’s Essential Service Commission (ESC) has released its final determination for the 2024–25 Victorian Default Offer electricity price (VDO). Finally, energy prices are set to fall.

$300 energy rebate for all

May 16, 2024

All Australian households are set to receive a $300 energy rebate from the Australian Government from July 2024. While eligible small businesses will get $325. This $3.5 billion cost-of-living measure announced in the federal budget will be automatically applied to the energy bills.