Australian Home Battery Schemes 2022: Is Your State Eligible?
Considering installing a home solar battery system to reduce your reliance on grid electricity and lower your power bills and carbon footprint? You’ll be pleased to know that there are many opportunities to do so here in Australia – depending on the state or territory in which you reside.
With our sunny climate and weather, there’s little doubt that Australia is one of the best places in the world to install a solar battery system, enabling you to move towards achieving energy independence while lowering your carbon footprint in the process. However, not all states and territories are equal when it comes to solar battery rebates, which means some households have more options than others concerning the financial incentives available when buying a solar power bank to store and manage the energy that your solar photovoltaic (PV) panels generate.
What is a solar battery rebate?
A solar battery rebate is a financial initiative the government provides to households for generating their own energy. Except for Western Australia and Tasmania, all Australian states have had a home battery scheme in place, however, the schemes in New South Wales and South Australia have both wrapped up recently. Here we look at these home battery schemes in greater detail.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
In the ACT, the ‘Next Generation Energy Storage Program’ ended in March 2023 and has been replaced with the ‘ACT Sustainable Household Scheme’, which will run until 2026 unless extended.
Open to all ACT homeowners (and ACT residents holding a current driving licence when applying for an electric vehicle loan), the new scheme provides zero-interest loans to help pay energy-efficient upgrade costs. Eligible recipients can get a $2,000 -$15,000 loan to buy a range of energy-efficient products, including rooftop solar panels and household battery storage systems.
Victoria Solar Battery Rebate
Eligible Victorian households are eligible to receive a rebate of up to $2,950 if they install a solar battery, with the rebate applied at point-of-sale by an authorised solar provider. With the Victoria Solar Battery Rebate scheme, the solar retailer claims the rebate on behalf of the homeowner and the rebate amount is deducted from the overall cost of the system and the installation. There are more eligibility criteria to meet in Victoria than other states with solar battery rebate schemes in place, including salary and property value caps.
Northern Territory Home and Business Battery Scheme
In the Northern Territory, the Home and Business Battery Scheme supports the NT Government's plan for 50% renewable energy by 2030 and enables home and business owners to apply for a grant to install a rooftop solar system and home battery, or add a home solar battery storage to an existing solar PV system. Eligible homeowners and businesses can access a grant of $450 per kilowatt hour of useable battery system capacity, up to a maximum grant of $6,000.
Tasmania Energy Saver Loan Scheme
In October 2022, Tasmanian Government announced their Energy Saver Loan Scheme which will provide interest-free loans of up to $10,000 for households and businesses to implement solar panels and battery storage systems and other energy efficient upgrades in efforts to reduce electricity costs. The Tasmania Home Battery Scheme is only available on energy efficient products purchased and installed through a network of approved and accredited vendors like sonnen.
Queensland, Western Australia
Unlike other states, unfortunately, there isn’t a solar battery rebate in Queensland or Western Australia at the moment. In Queensland, the most recent scheme ended in mid-2019 and the Government has since prioritised large-scale projects in an attempt to boost the state's energy independence - with similar projects are underway in Western Australia. However, households across the country can take advantage of the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), which is an upfront incentive for the installation of renewable energy systems.
While solar battery systems aren’t covered under the scheme, eligible small-scale renewable energy systems such as solar PV panels are, so households may be entitled to receive small-scale technology certificates by installing rooftop solar panels. These certificates can be sold to recoup some of the cost of buying and installing the system, however, most installers are able to factor in the rebate as a ‘discount’ on the overall price. This is a simpler, faster and far more convenient process than trading the certificates yourself through the STC clearing house or on the open market, as some opt to.
South Australia
All battery subsidies under the SA Home Battery Scheme have now been allocated and the scheme closed to applications. This means that like households in Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania, if you’re interested in a solar battery rebate in SA, you’ll now need to apply for Small-scale technology certificates (STCs) under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES).
New South Wales
As in South Australia, the New South Wales Home Battery Scheme, the ‘Empowering Homes’ solar battery loan, has now closed to new applications. This program offered homeowners in eligible postcodes with access to interest-free loans for the installation of solar battery systems. If you’re in NSW and considering installing a solar battery system, you can apply for an STC under the SRES.
If you’re interested and ready to claim your energy independence, these home battery schemes represent an excellent way to reduce the upfront costs of investing in a solar battery system that enables you to store and manage the energy your rooftop solar system generates.
