The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has been charged with setting a benchmark rate for what owners of solar power systems get paid for every kilowatt hour of energy they return to the grid.

This rate is known as the solar feed-in tariff.

While electricity retailers in NSW can set their own feed-in tariffs, IPART sets a benchmark range each year as a guide for retailers and customers on the likely value of electricity exported to the grid from solar photovoltaic (PV) units.

At present the benchmark rate ranges from 4.9¢ to 9.3¢ a kWh but IPART has recommended that rate drop to 4.4¢ to 5.8¢ a kWh.

IPART chairman Peter Boxall said the range had dropped due to lower and less volatile wholesale spot electricity prices.

Spot prices are the current market price for electricity.

"High spot prices during the day generally increase the value of PV exports," Dr Boxall said.

"In recent years, spot prices have been fairly low and flat during the day, and this has contributed to the lower value of PV exports."

When looking for the best deal, Dr Boxall said people should pay attention to more than just the feed-in tariffs. "Feed-in tariffs are only one component of a retailer's market offer and deal overall," he said.

"Solar customers should consider feed-in tariffs as part of an overall electricity contract package and shop around for the best deal that takes both their electricity consumption and solar exports into account."

The new range, should the government accept it, will remain in place until June 2016. People can have their say on the draft tariff by lodging a submission before September 28.

This change in the tariff will not affect customers in the Solar Bonus Scheme who will continue to receive a subsidised feed-in tariff of either 20¢ or 60¢ per kWh until December 31, 2016.