Should you switch to Synergy's Midday Saver tariff after getting solar?

Synergy's Midday Saver tariff was designed for solar households. Its super off-peak rate (8.85c/kWh from 9am–3pm) makes every kilowatt-hour of solar self-consumed during that window effectively free — and its peak rate (55.33c/kWh from 3pm–9pm) makes avoiding grid import in the afternoon extremely valuable.

But Midday Saver isn't better for every Perth household. Here's how to assess whether you should switch.

How Midday Saver compares to A1

Synergy A1 (standard, flat rate):

• All consumption: 33.26c/kWh
• Supply charge: 119.24c/day
• DEBS export (off-peak): 2c/kWh
• DEBS export (no peak/off-peak distinction on A1)

Synergy Midday Saver:

• Super off-peak (9am–3pm): 8.85c/kWh
• Peak (3pm–9pm): 55.33c/kWh
• Off-peak (all other hours): 24.34c/kWh
• Supply charge: 119.24c/day
• DEBS export peak (3pm–9pm): 10c/kWh
• DEBS export off-peak: 2c/kWh

When Midday Saver wins for a solar household

If you shift appliances to daytime

Every kWh consumed between 9am–3pm on Midday Saver costs 8.85c instead of 33.26c — a saving of 24.41c/kWh.

For a household with a dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer running daily during this window:

• 4 kWh/day of appliance load
• Daily saving vs A1: 4 kWh × 24.41c = $0.98/day → $357/year from appliance shifting alone

If you have a battery discharging at peak

A battery discharging during 3pm–9pm replaces 55.33c/kWh grid electricity. On A1, it would replace 33.26c/kWh. The peak rate makes each kWh of battery discharge worth 22.07c more.

For a 10kWh battery cycling 8kWh/day:

• A1: 8 kWh × 33.26c = $2.66/day saved
• Midday Saver: 8 kWh × 55.33c = $4.43/day saved
• Extra value from Midday Saver: $644/year (assuming battery covers the full peak period)

If your solar exports mostly in the 3pm–9pm window

West-facing panels export during afternoon and early evening — within the Midday Saver peak DEBS window (10c/kWh). Compare to A1 DEBS (2c) and the difference is 8c/kWh.

For 3,000 kWh of west-facing afternoon exports: 3,000 × 8c = $240/year extra on Midday Saver.

When Midday Saver is worse (or marginal)

High evening electricity consumption with no battery

If your household's biggest consumption is in the evening (cooking, TV, air conditioning from 6pm–9pm), you're buying electricity at 55.33c/kWh under Midday Saver instead of 33.26c under A1.

Evening consumption penalty:

• 8 kWh of evening consumption
• Midday Saver cost: 8 × 55.33c = $4.43
• A1 cost: 8 × 33.26c = $2.66
• Penalty: $1.77/day → $646/year

If you can't shift evening consumption to off-peak hours and don't have a battery, Midday Saver may cost you money.

If you export mostly during 9am–3pm (super off-peak)

North-facing solar export during the middle of the day falls in the super off-peak DEBS window at 2c/kWh — same as A1's flat DEBS rate. No benefit from switching.

How to calculate whether to switch

Step 1: Pull your Synergy smart meter interval data from MyAccount (half-hourly consumption by time of day, over a full year).

Step 2: Calculate your current A1 cost by multiplying each half-hour's consumption by 33.26c.

Step 3: Apply Midday Saver rates to the same data:

• 9am–3pm consumption: × 8.85c
• 3pm–9pm consumption: × 55.33c
• All other hours: × 24.34c

Step 4: Apply Midday Saver DEBS rates to your export data:

• 3pm–9pm exports: × 10c (vs 2c on A1)
• Other exports: × 2c

If Midday Saver total is lower than A1 total, switch. The difference quantifies your annual saving.

How to switch to Midday Saver

Midday Saver requires a smart meter (if you don't have one, request a meter upgrade from Western Power). Once you have a smart meter, contact Synergy to request the tariff change:

• Online via MyAccount → "Manage my plan"
• By phone: 13 13 53

Tariff changes take effect from the next billing cycle. You can switch back to A1 if Midday Saver turns out not to suit your usage — Synergy allows tariff changes subject to a minimum period (typically one quarter).

Synergy Midday Saver rates effective 1 July 2026. Contact Synergy for current eligibility and minimum period rules.