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Time of India
7 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Australia's $2.3 billion home Battery rebate kicks off; how to cut power bills and maximise returns by choosing the correct systems
Live Events How the subsidy works? What does a battery cost? Will you actually save money? Avoid going too small Make the most of your battery Choosing the right battery (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Australia's rooftop solar revolution is entering a new phase. With only 1 in 40 homes currently using solar batteries, the federal government has launched the $2.3 billion Cheaper Home Batteries Program , offering a 30 per cent discount on battery systems to make clean energy storage affordable for households, businesses, and community offer is only available for homes with solar panels. However, buyers can still qualify if they install panels and a battery at the same new scheme is already driving a huge rise in demand, drawing comparisons to the solar panel boom of the late national scheme will cut electricity bills, ease pressure on the grid, and expand the success of rooftop solar by helping more people store solar power for when they need electricity bills rising, prices of batteries still out of reach for many, this subsidy could be a game-changer, but it won't last forever. Understanding how to choose the right system and maximise savings has never been more 30 per cent rebate applies to batteries sized between 5 and 50 kilowatt-hours (kWh), and one battery system per home is allowed. There's no dollar cap; the discount is based on the battery size.A battery stores extra solar energy during the day, which can be used later, especially in the evening when power use increases. This can cut electricity bills, reduce grid dependence, and offer backup during the rebate, the cost of a home battery ranges from $9000 to $15,000 for a mid-sized unit (10–15 kWh), which suits most average systems, like a 5 kWh battery, may cost around $5000, but they often can't store enough energy to last through peak evening but it may take time. Experts say a well-sized battery can cut power bills by up to $1000 a year, in addition to savings already made from solar means it could take 10 or more years to fully recover the upfront cost. But those with larger batteries may get closer to 'zero bills' by relying less on the households are tempted to choose smaller batteries for quicker payback. But experts warn this may lead to disappointment.A small battery might drain before the evening ends, forcing users back onto the grid and higher bills.'If you want long-term savings, it's better to invest in a bigger battery that can power your home through the night,' said Finn Peacock (SolarQuotes) to the Sydney Morning boost savings, households can replace gas heating and cooking with electric appliances powered by solar and stored the battery smartly, like pre-cooling or heating the house before peak hours, can also stretch the stored energy also urge homeowners not to forget about insulation and sealing; a well-sealed home can reduce energy waste, improving overall are over 80 battery models approved for use in Australia, priced from $4000 for 5 kWh units to $15,000 and above for high-capacity installers can help you assess your power usage and recommend the right system. Independent tools like SunSPOT (developed by the Australian PV Institute ) also allow you to calculate savings based on your home's solar Clean Energy Council lists approved battery models, while Solar Citizens provides information on state-level support programs.
Sydney Morning Herald
05-07-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Battery boom: Australians charge into next phase of solar revolution
Demand for household batteries is surging under the Albanese government's national rebate, with retailers reporting a fourfold rise in sales and inquiries as the scheme kicked off. However, experts warn householders that while spending thousands of dollars on a battery can dramatically cut annual power bills, it may not deliver rapid returns on investment. The Cheaper Home Batteries Program was one of the government's key election pledges, offering a 30 per cent rebate on the purchase and installation cost of a battery from July 1. Quote-comparison service SolarQuotes, owned by Origin Energy, reported a jump in battery inquiries in the lead-up to the scheme. Loading 'The volume for May was 400 per cent higher than the previous month, and about two-thirds of all quote requests are now for home batteries,' said Chris Zondanos, Origin general manager electrification. The scheme is limited to homes with solar panels, but householders without are eligible for the discount if they install panels and a battery at the same time. Scope for uptake is huge. Solar panels already soak up the sun on 4 million of the nation's 11 million homes. But just 250,000 have batteries. Battery installation company 1komma5 provided the discount to customers before the scheme kicked in. It can now claim the money back from the government.
The Age
05-07-2025
- Business
- The Age
Battery boom: Australians charge into next phase of solar revolution
Demand for household batteries is surging under the Albanese government's national rebate, with retailers reporting a fourfold rise in sales and inquiries as the scheme kicked off. However, experts warn householders that while spending thousands of dollars on a battery can dramatically cut annual power bills, it may not deliver rapid returns on investment. The Cheaper Home Batteries Program was one of the government's key election pledges, offering a 30 per cent rebate on the purchase and installation cost of a battery from July 1. Quote-comparison service SolarQuotes, owned by Origin Energy, reported a jump in battery inquiries in the lead-up to the scheme. Loading 'The volume for May was 400 per cent higher than the previous month, and about two-thirds of all quote requests are now for home batteries,' said Chris Zondanos, Origin general manager electrification. The scheme is limited to homes with solar panels, but householders without are eligible for the discount if they install panels and a battery at the same time. Scope for uptake is huge. Solar panels already soak up the sun on 4 million of the nation's 11 million homes. But just 250,000 have batteries. Battery installation company 1komma5 provided the discount to customers before the scheme kicked in. It can now claim the money back from the government.
Sydney Morning Herald
18-05-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Australia is on the cusp of a home battery boom
Australia is approaching an unprecedented boom in household battery uptake as installers report a post-election surge of home owners eager to seize new federal government rebates that will slash thousands of dollars off the upfront cost. In the run-up to the May 3 election, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged to set aside $2.3 billion to cover around 30 per cent of the purchase and installation cost for anyone buying a household battery system that can stash power generated from their rooftop solar panels. Electricity giant Origin Energy, which owns Australian quote-comparison service SolarQuotes, said enquiries about purchasing home batteries had rocketed since Labor's re-election locked in the subsidy program, which kicks in from July 1 and will not be limited by the purchaser's income. 'In the month to date, Origin and SolarQuotes saw a remarkable 250 per cent increase in home battery enquiries,' Origin executive general manager of retail Jon Briskin said. Australia is a world leader in per-person solar uptake, with more than 4 million homes – or one in three – now fitted with rooftop solar panels. However, just one in 40 also has a battery, which has led to a significant problem: all those solar panels are making far too much electricity in the middle of the day when the sun is brightest, and hardly any when people return home, turn on their lights and fire up appliances. SolarGain, a major solar and battery storage provider with 23 stores nationally, confirmed that enquiries about home batteries had doubled across its network. Enquiry volumes at specific outlets were up to 400 per cent higher than previous levels, it said. Home-owners were eager to produce and use their own electricity as much as possible as a way to lessen their reliance on the grid, and cut their exposure to higher prices and network outages, SolarGain Victorian business development manager Will Haydon said. 'People want to separate from the grid,' he said. 'Now they have an opportunity to store their excess power with a much quicker return on their investment.'
The Age
18-05-2025
- Business
- The Age
Australia is on the cusp of a home battery boom
Australia is approaching an unprecedented boom in household battery uptake as installers report a post-election surge of home owners eager to seize new federal government rebates that will slash thousands of dollars off the upfront cost. In the run-up to the May 3 election, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged to set aside $2.3 billion to cover around 30 per cent of the purchase and installation cost for anyone buying a household battery system that can stash power generated from their rooftop solar panels. Electricity giant Origin Energy, which owns Australian quote-comparison service SolarQuotes, said enquiries about purchasing home batteries had rocketed since Labor's re-election locked in the subsidy program, which kicks in from July 1 and will not be limited by the purchaser's income. 'In the month to date, Origin and SolarQuotes saw a remarkable 250 per cent increase in home battery enquiries,' Origin executive general manager of retail Jon Briskin said. Australia is a world leader in per-person solar uptake, with more than 4 million homes – or one in three – now fitted with rooftop solar panels. However, just one in 40 also has a battery, which has led to a significant problem: all those solar panels are making far too much electricity in the middle of the day when the sun is brightest, and hardly any when people return home, turn on their lights and fire up appliances. SolarGain, a major solar and battery storage provider with 23 stores nationally, confirmed that enquiries about home batteries had doubled across its network. Enquiry volumes at specific outlets were up to 400 per cent higher than previous levels, it said. Home-owners were eager to produce and use their own electricity as much as possible as a way to lessen their reliance on the grid, and cut their exposure to higher prices and network outages, SolarGain Victorian business development manager Will Haydon said. 'People want to separate from the grid,' he said. 'Now they have an opportunity to store their excess power with a much quicker return on their investment.'
