For homeowners in Western Australia's vast regional areas, embracing solar energy isn't just about reducing your carbon footprint; it's also a smart financial move. With Horizon Power providing electricity to these communities, understanding their solar buyback scheme is crucial for maximising your investment. As of October 2026, the landscape for solar and battery incentives continues to evolve, making it an opportune time to explore how exporting your surplus solar power can translate into tangible savings on your electricity bills. This guide will delve into the specifics of the Horizon Power solar buyback, distinguishing it from the Synergy solar feed-in tariff applicable in the Perth metropolitan area and outlining the opportunities available for regional WA residents.
This article is part of our guide to Synergy Solar Feed-In Tariffs and Bills in Perth: The Complete Guide.
Install before 31 December 2026 to lock in this year's rebates.
From 1 January 2027 the federal battery rebate drops by about 16% (STC factor 6.8 → 5.7) and the solar panel rebate by about 20% (deeming period 5 → 4 years). It falls again in July 2027. The WA $1,300 rebate is limited to 100,000 households and is paid until the allocation runs out. Installation slots before Christmas fill fast, so lock in a date now.
The Horizon Power solar buyback scheme is designed for customers residing in regional Western Australia who generate their own electricity, primarily through rooftop solar panels. Unlike Synergy, which operates in the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) covering Perth and its surrounds, Horizon Power serves homes and businesses across regional WA. The buyback scheme allows solar owners to receive credit for any excess electricity their system produces and exports back into Horizon Power's grid. This means that when your solar panels generate more power than your home is consuming, that surplus energy doesn't go to waste; instead, it contributes to reducing your electricity costs.
The core principle is straightforward: your solar panels convert sunlight into electricity. This power first meets your home's immediate needs. If there's an surplus, it flows back into the grid, and Horizon Power credits your account for that exported energy. This mechanism helps to offset the cost of electricity you draw from the grid during times when your solar system isn't generating enough power, such as at night or on heavily overcast days.
Horizon Power's Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme (DEBS), which started in November 2020, is for eligible residential, not-for-profit and education customers on Horizon Power's A2, K2, C2 or D2 tariffs, with solar systems of 5kW or less. The older Renewable Energy Buyback Scheme (REBS) is closed to new solar connections, although existing REBS customers keep their rate.
Horizon Power also sets how much solar can connect in each town, so check what your town allows with Horizon Power or your installer before you commit to a system size.
Horizon Power's DEBS rates depend on the town's cost of supply. Its schedule for 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027 is:
| Town classification | Exports 9pm–3pm | Exports 3pm–9pm |
|---|---|---|
| Low-cost towns (e.g. Broome, Carnarvon, Esperance, Karratha, Kununurra, Port Hedland) | 3.00 c/kWh | 10.00 c/kWh |
| Medium-cost towns (e.g. Coral Bay, Denham, Leonora, Meekatharra, Norseman) | 11.33 c/kWh | 37.76 c/kWh |
| High-cost towns (e.g. Hopetoun, Laverton, Marble Bar, Menzies, Nullagine) | 16.80 c/kWh | 55.99 c/kWh |
Members of Horizon Power's virtual power plant, Community Wave, may be eligible for its Buyback Bonus instead. In low-cost towns it pays 33.26 cents per kWh for exports between 3pm and 9pm in summer (1 November to 31 March) and 10 cents in winter, with 3 cents at other times; in medium- and high-cost towns it matches the DEBS rates above. Check your town's classification and the current schedule on Horizon Power's website.
Because of WA's uniform tariff policy, regional households pay the same regulated electricity prices as Perth households, whatever their town's buyback rate.
When your solar system is connected, your meter must be able to record exports. It measures both the electricity your home imports from the grid and the excess your solar system exports.
Here’s a simplified breakdown of the process:
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Get Started Now →Your bill is the result of both. In low-cost towns, where midday exports earn 3 cents, using your own solar is worth much more than exporting it. In medium- and high-cost towns, exports, especially between 3pm and 9pm, are worth considerably more.
Here are the key strategies:
Federal and state incentives reduce the cost of solar and batteries in regional WA.
The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme gives eligible solar systems STCs, which your installer takes off the price. The number depends on the system's size, its zone and the deeming period. Systems installed in 2026 get a 5-year deeming period; from 1 January 2027 it drops to 4 years, so solar STCs fall by about 20%, and it shortens again each year until the scheme ends in 2030. The dollar value of STCs moves with the market.
Since 1 July 2025, eligible home batteries also get an STC discount. For batteries installed from 1 May to 31 December 2026, each kWh of usable capacity earns an STC factor of 6.8; usable capacity up to 14 kWh earns the full factor, 14–28 kWh earns 60% and 28–50 kWh earns 15%. Rebates step down on 1 January 2027, when the factor drops to 5.7 (about 16% less), and it keeps falling every six months.
Horizon Power customers get the larger state rebate: up to $3,800, compared with up to $1,300 for Synergy customers. The maximum is based on 10 kWh of usable capacity, and bigger batteries get the same maximum. You must join a VPP product offered by Horizon Power, the battery must be on Horizon Power's supported list for your area, and the installer must be accredited and listed on the Plenti Vendor Directory. Households with a combined income under $210,000 can apply for a no-interest loan of up to $10,000 over up to 10 years. The rebate is paid until all 100,000 planned rebates (across Synergy and Horizon Power) have been given out, and it can be combined with the federal discount.
With solar, your bill shows credits for the power you export as well as charges for the power you import.
Here’s what to look for:
Your total bill is the cost of your imported electricity plus the daily supply charge, minus your buyback credits.
A hypothetical household in a low-cost town such as Karratha has a 6.6 kW solar system. On a sunny day it generates about 25 kWh, uses 15 kWh during the day and 10 kWh in the evening.
Without a battery: it exports 10 kWh, mostly before 3pm, earning about 30 cents at 3 cents per kWh, and buys 10 kWh in the evening at roughly 33 cents per kWh, about $3.30.
With a 10 kWh battery: the surplus charges the battery instead of being exported, and the battery covers the evening. The household gives up about 30 cents of buyback credit but avoids about $3.30 of grid power, a saving of roughly $3 a day.
In a medium- or high-cost town the sums change, because exports there earn far more. A battery can still help by moving exports into the 3pm–9pm window, when the rate is highest. Ask your installer to model your own town's rates and your usage.
Selecting the right solar and battery system for your regional WA home is a critical decision. It’s not just about the upfront cost; it’s about long-term performance, reliability, and ensuring you partner with a trusted installer.
Key considerations include:
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Get My Free Quote →Q: How does Horizon Power's buyback differ from Synergy's Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme (DEBS)? A: Horizon Power operates in regional WA, offering its own solar buyback scheme for excess solar exports. Synergy operates within the SWIS (Perth and the South West) and pays 10 cents per kWh for exports between 3pm and 9pm and 2 cents at other times. Horizon Power's rates depend on your town, from the same 10 cents and 3 cents in low-cost towns to much higher rates in medium- and high-cost towns.
Q: Will installing solar affect my Western Power connection? A: Western Power manages the SWIS grid, not Horizon Power's regional grids. However, similar to the SWIS, connections for new or upgraded systems in regional grids require approval to ensure grid stability and safety. The new technical requirements that started on 1 May 2026 apply to the SWIS, not to Horizon Power's networks. Regional systems connected to Horizon Power's grid will have their own connection requirements and export rules set by Horizon Power.
Q: What is a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) and why is it relevant to regional WA? A: A VPP is a network of distributed energy resources, such as residential solar systems and batteries, that are aggregated and controlled centrally. They can collectively provide services to the grid, such as stabilising voltage or supplying power during peak demand. For regional WA, VPPs can enhance grid reliability and resilience, especially in more isolated communities. Horizon Power's VPP is called Community Wave, and joining a VPP product from your retailer is a condition of the WA Residential Battery Scheme rebate.
Q: How do I find out the current Horizon Power buyback rate? A: Horizon Power publishes a buyback pricing schedule each financial year on its website. The rates in this article are from the schedule for 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.
Q: Can I get an interest-free loan for a battery in regional WA? A: Yes. The WA Residential Battery Scheme offers no-interest loans of up to $10,000 over up to 10 years to households with a combined income under $210,000, administered by Plenti. Check the official WA government website or contact Horizon Power for specific eligibility criteria and application details.
For homeowners in regional Western Australia, the Horizon Power solar buyback scheme, combined with federal and state incentives like STCs and the WA Residential Battery Scheme, presents a compelling opportunity to take control of your energy future. By understanding how to maximise your solar exports, strategically incorporate battery storage, and leverage available rebates as of October 2026, you can significantly reduce your electricity bills and contribute to a more sustainable energy landscape.
The federal rebates for solar and batteries both step down on 1 January 2027, and the $3,800 Horizon Power battery rebate is paid only until the scheme's allocation runs out. If you are ready to install, doing it this year is worth more. Sun Direct Power installs solar and batteries in Perth and WA and is an approved Plenti vendor for the WA Residential Battery Scheme.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information and illustrative examples only. Energy policies, tariffs, and government incentives are subject to change. Specific eligibility criteria and actual financial outcomes will vary based on individual circumstances, property location, system specifications, and the prevailing terms and conditions of Horizon Power, the WA government, and federal programs.
We strongly recommend consulting directly with Horizon Power, official government websites (e.g., horizonpower.com.au, wa.gov.au, cer.gov.au), and an accredited solar installer for the most current and accurate information relevant to your situation. Sun Direct Power does not provide financial advice.
Sun Direct Power installs solar and batteries across Perth and WA and is an approved Plenti vendor for the WA Residential Battery Scheme. Our packages take the federal and WA rebates off the price up front, and systems start from $7,114 after rebates.
Install before 31 December 2026 to lock in this year's rebates.
Rates and rebates checked 27 October 2026.
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