Reduce your reliance on the grid and slash your electricity bills. A home battery allows you to store your own solar energy, saving you between $600 to over $2,500 per year in energy costs and incentive earnings.
How it works
A residential battery is like a rechargeable power bank for your home. It stores excess electricity from your rooftop solar panels during the day. You can then use this free, stored energy at night or during peak times when electricity from the grid is most expensive.
Who it’s best for
A home battery can be a smart upgrade for homeowners and businesses. Consider getting a residential battery if you:
- have solar or are looking to install solar
- use a lot of energy in the evening after the sun has gone down
- want to increase your energy independence, and have your own reliable energy source to prevent blackouts
- have an electric vehicle (EV) and want to charge it overnight with stored solar energy.
How much you can save
How much it will cost
Case study
"I haven't paid an electricity bill in over a year. I am producing more than enough solar power, not just to run my house, but to also charge my battery."
– Ken and Corrine, NSW homeowners on building their own power system by installing solar, home battery and joining a Virtual Power Plant (VPP).
Get started
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Choose your new battery
- Get multiple quotes from installers accredited by Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA). Different installers offer different battery models and different prices. It’s important to compare options so you get the best deal for you and your home.
- Check your installer has a current license on the Service NSW website.
- Ask installers:
- which battery models they offer from the Clean Energy Council’s approved batteries list. Batteries on this list meet Australian standards, are eligible for a discount from the Australian Government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program, and are compatible with selling excess electricity through Virtual Power Plants (VPPs).
- to help select the right size battery (in kWh) for your energy needs.
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Install your new battery
Once you have chosen your installer and the battery model, set a date for your installation. Your installer should then:
- install your new battery
- show you how to use the battery and help you set up the mobile app to monitor your battery and energy use
- explain maintenance requirements
- provide the battery owner’s manual and warranty details
- provide you a receipt including their business’ ABN, licence number, scope of work and contact information
- register the battery with the Australian Energy Market Operator
- assist with any issues for the duration of the product’s warranty. In some cases, the warranty on parts may be provided by the equipment manufacturer and not the installer.
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Get the most out of your new battery system
- Optimise your battery to charge from your solar panels during the day.
- Set your battery to discharge and power your home during the expensive evening peak (typically 4-8 pm) to save on your power bills.
- Join a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) to make money from selling your battery’s extra electricity and help keep your neighbour’s lights on.
For more information, read our guide to owning a battery.
Learn how batteries work and how they can be installed safely on your premises.
How to get financial help
Cut the upfront cost of a home battery with the Australian Government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program. Then connect your battery to a Virtual Power Plant to receive a NSW Government incentive, make money in the long-term and pay back your battery faster.
NSW Government's Virtual Power Plant Incentive
- Who it's for: NSW residents who already have a battery up to 28 kWh in size, want their battery to make money, and want to help keep their neighbours’ lights on.
- How it works: You receive an incentive for connecting your solar battery to a Virtual Power Plant. The incentive amount varies and can include both upfront and ongoing payments.
- How to access it:
- Compare Virtual Power Plant providers. Different providers offer different conditions, including the price you receive for your excess electricity, and the timing of when you can sell your battery’s electricity.
- Your chosen Virtual Power Plant provider will check your eligibility.
- Your provider will give you a contract and nomination form. You must sign both so you can receive your incentive.
Available incentives
Australian Government's Cheaper Home Batteries Program
- Who it's for: All homeowners and businesses installing a new, eligible battery system connected to solar panels.
- How it works: You get an upfront discount of around 30% on batteries between 5 kWh to 50 kWh in size. Note, that to receive the NSW Government’s VPP incentive you are only eligible for batteries 28 kWh and smaller. Your installer will provide the exact value of this discount on the quote they provide you.
- How to get it: Choose a Solar Accredited Australia-accredited installer and Clean Energy Council-approved battery. Your installer will provide the discount to you upfront in the quote they give you.
This program covers out-of-pocket costs with low-interest green loans from participating banks and lenders.