The Federal Court has dismissed an appeal by SA Power Networks to charge a tariff on homes with solar panels.

The electricity distributor wanted it to approve a tariff of about $100 a year.

It argued that solar-powered houses have different energy consumption patterns and are effectively subsidised by houses without panels.

SA Power Networks took the matter to court when the Australian Energy Regulator rejected the proposed charge.

The distributor said that it was "disappointed by the appeal decision" and maintained that its application was about "fair and equitable cost-sharing among customers".

"This was not about additional revenue," SA Power networks said in a statement.