You pay fixed and energy charges. The bill also uses the highest kVA reading in set periods.
If you get solar
Solar can reduce daytime grid use. If the highest kVA reading occurs after solar output falls, solar alone will not remove it. Solar does not correct poor power factor.
If you get a battery
A battery can reduce the active-power part of the kVA peak. Check power factor before you size it.
Check before you decide
Confirm this code on a current retailer bill.
Use 12 months of interval data. Check the time of each billed peak.
Get kW, kVA and power-factor data from the billing meter.
Get an engineering review before you select equipment.
2026–27 network prices
What it costs, and when
These are the network’s charges only. Your retailer adds its own prices on top.
EA370 in one day
Off-peakPeakOff-peak
12am3pm9pm12am
Peak is 3pm–9pm on working weekdays, November–March and June–August only.
What the network charges
Access
7979.2649 c/day
Peak energy
4.0147 c/kWh
Off-peak energy
1.9792 c/kWh
Peak capacity
34.6232 c/kVA/day
When the rates apply
3pm–9pm on working weekdays in November–March and June–August. All other times.
Illustrative example
Lower EA370 system capacity by 100 kVA
This is a high-voltage system connection.
The new rolling maximum is 100 kVA lower.
The lower value applies for 365 charge days.
100 kVA × 34.6232 c/kVA/day × 365 days ÷ 100Illustrative network-charge reduction: $12,637.47 a year, excluding GST.
This tariff uses the highest qualifying half-hour in the previous 12 months. One lower peak does not remove an earlier maximum. Confirm the retailer pass-through and power factor.
Would a battery help?
A guide, not a quote
Strong fit
Peak-kVA control
A controlled battery may reduce the site maximum, but the bill is based on apparent power. Power factor and reactive load can be as important as battery kW.
A battery can reduce these
The active-power contribution to the measured kVA maximum.
Peak-period grid energy when the battery discharges at the same time.
Solar spill that can be stored without sacrificing the required peak reserve.
A battery can’t change these
Daily access, metering and other fixed charges.
Reactive-power demand unless the inverter and control design explicitly provide power-factor support.
A new maximum created after the battery empties or misses dispatch.
You’d need to check
At least 12 months of interval data, including every billed maximum.
Demand timestamps, seasonal windows and billing reset rules.
kW, kVA, kvar and power-factor data at the billing meter.
Retailer rates plus the network tariff—not a blended cents-per-kWh assumption.