The Federal Court has dismissed SA Power Networks’ efforts to charge a tariff on homes with solar panels.

The electricity distributor wanted it to impose the tariff of about $100 a year, because it claims solar-powered houses have different energy consumption patterns which mean they are effectively subsidised by houses without panels.

SA Power Networks went to court after the Australian Energy Regulator rejected the proposed charge.

The distributor issued a statement saying it was “disappointed by the appeal decision”, but maintains that its application was about “fair and equitable cost-sharing among customers”.

“This was not about additional revenue,” SA Power networks said.