Green energy plans in Australia: Solar, wind and carbon neutral options

Green energy options: How to choose renewable energy for your home

As Australians become more conscious of their environmental impact, many households are actively seeking energy plans that align with their sustainability goals. Green energy options not only help reduce carbon emissions, but they can also support the development of renewable energy sources nationwide.

In this guide, you’ll learn about:

• Solar power energy plans

• Wind energy options

• Carbon neutral electricity plans

• Government-backed GreenPower programs

If you're ready to reduce your environmental footprint and support clean energy, this article will show you where to start.

1. Solar power plans

Solar energy is the most popular form of renewable electricity in Australia. If you already have solar panels installed, you can take advantage of solar feed-in tariffs that pay you for the excess energy your system sends back to the grid.

What to consider when comparing solar plans:

• Feed-in tariff rate (c/kWh): Higher rates mean more money for your exported energy

• Usage and supply rates: Make sure the rest of the plan is competitive

• System compatibility: Some providers offer battery-ready plans or virtual power plant (VPP) access

If you don’t have solar panels, some retailers offer plans that source energy from large-scale solar farms, allowing you to still support the growth of solar energy in Australia.

2. Wind energy options

Wind power is another fast-growing renewable energy source in Australia. While you can’t install a wind turbine in your backyard, some energy providers offer plans that draw a portion or all of your electricity from wind farms.

Retailers may refer to this as a “green energy mix” or “wind-backed plan.” These plans typically cost slightly more per kilowatt hour, but the premium helps fund investment in clean infrastructure and offsets fossil fuel consumption.

Look for providers that disclose:

• The percentage of your electricity sourced from wind

• The location of wind farms being supported

• Accreditation through government or industry sustainability programs

3. Carbon neutral electricity plans

Carbon neutral plans work by offsetting the emissions created when your electricity is generated. These offsets are usually achieved by investing in environmental projects such as reforestation, renewable energy development, or carbon capture initiatives.

What makes a carbon neutral plan worthwhile:

• Certified under the Climate Active standard

• Transparent offset programs with detailed reporting

• No hidden mark-ups or excessive fees

Carbon neutral energy is a great option if you are renting or cannot install solar panels, but still want to reduce your household’s carbon footprint.

4. GreenPower accredited programs

GreenPower is a government-accredited program that enables Australians to voluntarily buy renewable electricity from certified providers. When you opt in to a GreenPower plan, your retailer purchases renewable energy on your behalf, above and beyond mandated levels.

Key benefits of GreenPower:

• Independent certification by government standards

• Flexibility to choose how much of your electricity is renewable (10 percent to 100 percent)

• Helps fund new renewable projects in Australia

While GreenPower plans often cost slightly more, they offer assurance that your money is going directly into building a cleaner energy future.

Final thoughts

Switching to green energy is a meaningful step toward sustainability. Whether it’s installing solar panels, choosing a wind-supported plan, or opting for carbon offsets or GreenPower accreditation, there are more options than ever for Australian households to reduce their impact on the planet.

Ready to go green?

Use our free energy comparison tool to find and compare renewable and carbon neutral plans from trusted Australian energy providers.

Visit EnergyPlans.com.au to explore your green energy options today.