Home batteries: rebates & is one worth it?

Common questions

Is there a federal battery rebate in 2026?

Yes — the Cheaper Home Batteries Program gives roughly a 30% upfront discount on eligible batteries, delivered as a point-of-sale STC discount with no application and no means test. From 1 May 2026 that’s about $252 per usable kWh in Zone 3 states (more in sunnier zones), on the first 14 kWh. The amount steps down every six months until the scheme ends in 2030, so installing earlier locks in more.

Do states offer their own battery rebates too?

Some do, and they can stack with the federal scheme. State battery rebates open, close and change eligibility frequently, so we list each one on the battery rebates page only once confirmed against the official government source.

Is a home battery worth it?

It depends on your battery price, how much excess solar you have to store, and the gap between your usage rate and your feed-in tariff. A battery earns its keep by storing power you’d otherwise export cheaply and using it instead of buying from the grid. Our battery payback calculator works this through using your own numbers — it never assumes a market price.

Should I get a battery at the same time as solar?

Not necessarily. Many households install solar first, learn their real export and usage patterns, then add a battery once the economics are clear. Sizing a battery to your actual surplus matters more than buying the biggest one available.