Solar battery costs have actually dropped since rebates were reduced earlier this year, but it won’t last forever. More changes are coming in January 2027. Photo: manfredxy.
Solar panels save the average Canberra household around $1,500 per year. Adding a battery can almost double those savings, but without support, it’s a significant upfront investment.
With the price of power, petrol, and just about everything else going up, you may be surprised to learn that adding a battery to your home solar system is cheaper now than it was before the national rebate decreased in May 2025.
“It’s about $5000 cheaper to buy a 32kWh SigenStor battery today,” SunBuilt Solar director Warren Monsma says.
“High demand thanks to the previous rebate had most providers booked out months in advance. Install prices were high and nobody was discounting,” he says.
“Now the rush has settled, so manufacturers are pricing their battery stock to clear and installers can pass those savings on to the homeowner.”
The Cheaper Home Batteries Program provides eligible homes, businesses and community organisations with a discount of up to 30 per cent on upfront installation costs for small-scale battery systems (5 to 100 kWh).
Back in 2025, the Australian Government announced it would expand the program from the original estimate of $2.3 billion to a whopping $7.2 billion. It’s expected to help more than two million Australians install a solar battery by 2030.
Discounts are based on your battery’s usable capacity and how many small-scale technology certificates it’s eligible for under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme.
The discount will decrease over time until 2030.
Don’t forget to check your eligibility for a low-interest loan through the Sustainable Household Scheme as well. Solar panels are no longer included, but batteries are.
SunBuilt Solar is a platinum partner of Sigenergy, and specialises in the design and installation of SigenStor battery systems. Image: Sigenergy (artist’s rendition).
While core battery functions are broadly similar across brands, Warren says details make all the difference, so it’s worth being choosy about efficiency and ease of use.
“We really appreciate the quality of Sigenergy’s SigenStor batteries. They’re a total solution for single-phase or three-phase power with full backup capabilities, future-proof design and a high-quality user interface.
“SigenStor can be installed on existing solar systems. It even has an integrated DC charging module designed for bi-directional EV charging, which means your EV can eventually help power your home.
“They’re releasing a lighter, more price-competitive version of the current SigenStor soon, so keep an eye out.”
Whatever your brand of choice, look for a system with the right capacity and power, high depth of discharge and round-trip efficiency, and at least a 10-year warranty.
Capacity and power (kWh) determine how much energy your battery can store and deliver at once.
Depth of discharge and round-trip efficiency indicate how much of the battery’s total capacity can be used before recharging, and how much energy can be retrieved from the battery after storage.
Warren’s final advice is to avoid choosing a smaller battery system just to chase a rebate. Instead, think carefully about future-proofing your power needs.
“Are you planning to have kids, buy an EV, or go off-grid in the future? What about home automation? Size accordingly if it’s in your budget, because you can only claim the rebate once,” he says.
“If you’re just getting started with solar, consider installing a battery at the same time. It works out cheaper than retrofitting one later, and you’ll hit the ground running with full control over when and how you use your power.
“The next Cheaper Home Batteries Program review is set for January 2027, so get in before then if you want to lock down the current rate.”
To find out more, visit SunBuilt Solar
