About Canstar’s Most Satisfied Customers Solar Providers Awards
Canstar’s Most Satisfied Customers Awards highlight solar electricity providers with the happiest customers in Australia. We ask customers to rate their satisfaction with their current solar provider by overall satisfaction as well as important criteria like solar tariff rate, customer service, online tools and advice, bill and cost clarity, ease of sign up and value for money.
Numbers crunched by Canstar’s researchers
- 2,582 customers surveyed
- 25 providers assessed
- 10 providers shortlisted
- One award winner
The best solar electricity providers
The brands rated are listed below in order of best overall satisfaction.
1. Lumo Energy

2025 solar providers award winner Lumo Energy is one of two electricity retailers owned by renewable energy generation company, Snowy Hydro – the second being Red Energy.
Although Lumo Energy doesn’t offer any solar-specific plans, it does offer higher than standard solar feed-in tariffs (FiTs) across its market offers, plus very competitive electricity usage and supply rates.
Lumo only offers plans in Victoria and South Australia, which have no contract terms or exit fees, and customers have access to flexible billing and payment options. The retailer frequently offers welcome or bonus credits for new sign-ups, along with its Lumo Rewards loyalty program.
2. 1st Energy

Offering electricity to customers in New South Wales, VIC, South East Queensland, SA and Tasmania, 1st Energy includes solar feed-in tariffs across all market offers. 1st Energy also retails a solar-specific plan in TAS, which rewards customers with a higher than average FiT. Alongside solar tariffs, 1st Energy’s plans include competitive usage and supply charges, with plans in some states also including guaranteed discounts. 1st Energy came in second place in our 2025 Most Satisfied Customers Awards for solar.
3. Red Energy

Red Energy is a well-rounded retailer, offering competitive electricity rates as well as moderate feed-in tariffs in NSW, VIC, SE QLD and SA. It offers two solar-specific plans in QLD, featuring higher solar feed-in tariffs than its standard market offers. Red Energy’s other selling points include its partnership with Qantas, along with other tailored electricity plans such as its EV option. Red Energy is our third-place winner in the 2025 Most Satisfied Customers – Solar Providers awards.
4. Sumo
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Available to customers in NSW, VIC, QLD and SA, Sumo offers a small range of residential retail plans in each state. Sumo’s market offers include more generous solar FiTs than many of its competitors, and customers in SE QLD can also access a solar-specific plan. All of Sumo’s plans include variable rates, with some options also online-only. Sumo placed fourth in 2025's Most Satisfied Customers awards.
5. Origin Energy

Origin Energy offers two solar-specific deals in NSW, QLD, ACT, VIC and SA called Go Solar Variable and Solar Boost. Not all plans may be available in all states at all times. Origin also assists customers looking to buy solar panels, batteries, inverters and home monitoring systems, alongside offering competitive electricity plans. In 2025, Origin made it to fifth place in Canstar's Most Satisfied Customers awards for solar.
6. Dodo

Primarily known as an internet and phone provider, Dodo also sells electricity plans in NSW, VIC and QLD, with plans all offering a consistent solar feed-in tariff. While the brand doesn’t sell solar-specific plans, its competitive usage and supply rates are worth considering in addition to its moderate feed-in tariffs. Dodo is the sixth-place brand in our Most Satisfied Customers – Solar Providers awards for 2025.
7. Alinta Energy

Alinta Energy operates across NSW, VIC, QLD, NSW and SA, as well as selling gas in Western Australia. The retailer tends to offer competitive rates and simple plans, including a solar-specific option with a stepped solar feed-in tariff. All Alinta plans are contract-free and include variable rates. Alinta customers also have access to the Alinta Energy rewards program. Alinta made it to the seventh spot in the 2025 Most Satisfied Customers awards.
8. AGL

As one of Australia’s largest electricity, natural gas and solar retailers, AGL offers a diverse range of energy products to suit varying households across NSW, VIC, QLD, and SA. Its main solar-focused electricity plan is its AGL Solar Savers deal, which delivers higher-than-average feed-in tariffs across the states. AGL also offers a range of solar panel, battery and installation deals to customers. AGL takes home eighth place for Most Satisfied Customers – Solar Providers in 2025.
9. Engie

Engie maintains a range of energy offers, such as deals exclusive to NRMA members in some states. The retailer offers solar-specific plans in NSW, VIC, QLD and SA, which come with higher solar feed-in tariffs. Aside from its solar offers, Engie’s market offer plans include average solar feed-in tariff rates, but competitive electricity usage and supply costs. Engie came in ninth place in the 2025 Most Satisfied Customers awards for solar.
10. EnergyAustralia

One of Australia’s biggest energy providers, EnergyAustralia offers eligible customers a boosted solar feed-in tariff on its Solar Max plans in NSW, VIC, QLD and SA, applicable for the first 10kWh of solar exported per day. Its standard plans also include competitive feed-in tariffs, and some market offers come with extras such as guaranteed discounts. It also offers a fixed rate electricity plan with a 12-month benefit period. EnergyAustralia rounds out our Most Satisfied Customers – Solar Providers top 10 for 2025.
Previous winners for solar electricity
Previous winners of Canstar's Most Satisfied Customers Award for solar providers include:
- 2024: Red Energy
- 2023: Red Energy
- 2022: Lumo Energy
- 2021: Red Energy
- 2020: Red Energy
- 2019: 1st Energy
- 2018: Red Energy
- 2017: Lumo Energy
- 2016: Click Energy
FAQs about Canstar's solar provider award
Canstar’s Most Satisfied Customers Awards recognise companies with the most satisfied customers overall based on consumer surveys.
Canstar surveyed 2,582 Australian residents with a solar electricity account who pay their bills about their experience with their energy retailer.
Market research company PureProfile manages the survey on Canstar’s behalf.
Respondents rate their satisfaction with their solar provider from zero to 10, where zero is extremely dissatisfied and 10 is extremely satisfied. Respondents rate how satisfied they are with their providers in the following areas:
- Overall satisfaction: measured consumer satisfaction with a solar electricity provider as an individual score NOT a combined total of all criteria.
- Value for money: cost was low for the quality and effectiveness of the solar electricity provider.
- Customer service: the solar electricity provider had multiple service points for customers, e.g. telephone, email, online chat.
- Bill and cost clarity: the solar electricity provider had an easy-to-understand bill.
- Solar tariff rate: the solar electricity provider has a decent solar tariff rate for energy exports.
- Online tools and advice: the solar electricity provider had an app or online account to monitor energy usage, pay bills and manage account information.
The winning brand receives the highest overall rating once all the scores from each category are combined and averaged.
Canstar also gives Star Ratings to top performing financial products, and Outstanding Value Awards to providers with a range of high-performing products. Canstar’s Innovation Excellence Awards also showcase products and services that break new ground when it comes to helping customers.
Canstar rates products and services over a range of consumer categories, in addition to financial services.
More than 25 energy providers offer solar feed-in tariffs or solar-specific plans across the country.
There is no one “best” solar plan, as different households will have different solar needs. There are some things to consider when looking for a solar plan:
- Feed-in tariff amount and type: A feed-in tariff (FiT) is a credit your provider will pay you for every kilowatt hour (kWh) of solar you export back into the grid. Most FiTs are flat rate amounts, meaning you get the same credit at all times. In some cases, providers may offer a higher FiT for the first specified amount of solar exported and a lower FiT thereafter. Some providers offer time varying FiTs, which pay higher FiTs during peak electricity hours and less during off-peak times.
- Usage rates: Some plans with generous FiTs may be hiding higher usage rates. This means you may end up paying more for your electricity than you save with the FiT.
There are many factors to consider when it comes to whether or not solar is a wise financial investment. For some high-level guidance, our latest survey found that:
- Households spent an average of $5161.60 on their initial solar system installation in our 2025 survey – down from $5,703 for panels in 2024.
- 62% of respondents believe installing solar has been a good financial decision. This is a slight increase from 60% in 2024.
Whether having a solar system is worth it or not will depend on your electricity usage, plan, FiT and system size.