New grants to help you cut energy costs

To encourage the adoption of solar energy, the South Australian Government, as well as the Federal Government, have implemented various incentives and rebate programs. South Australia’s electricity prices are some of the highest in Australia. As a result, South Australian homeowners have been leading the charge in adopting a cheaper solution – solar power. STCs are tradable certificates that represent the amount of renewable energy a system will generate over a set time. She set out to solve a problem encountered in many homes seeking net zero energy (NZE).
Another initiative, one that will see up to 50,000 solar power + Tesla Powerwall battery systems installed throughout the state, has proven popular. More than 33,000 South Australians have registered their interest since it was announced earlier this month. Many people wonder whether solar panels work when grants for home battery storage it’s cold, cloudy or rainy – and if it’s worth  installing rooftop solar in Victoria. The battery MUST be installed with a new solar system OR be added to an existing solar system. The Cheaper Home Batteries Program is an Australian Government initiative designed to speed up the uptake of small-scale batteries. It helps Australians store their solar energy, reduce power bills, and take pressure off the grid.

A key renewable energy policy of the former South Australian government that was designed to help more people access home energy storage systems will be axed in Thursday's state budget. Add to that the government incentives and subsidies through the Home Battery Scheme, and there has never been a better time to invest in solar power for your home or business. A solar battery is simply a giant battery that allows you to store the electricity you generated through your solar panels. To be subsidised a battery system must be bought from an approved provider that has an office in South Australia and employs South Australian residents.
Click here to learn if your home is eligible and how much payment you can expect to earn in return. To pay households for the electricity they export to the grid, Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme (DEBS) offers peak (3pm–9pm) and off-peak (9pm–3pm) rates. Eligible households can still access low-interest loans of up to $15,000 for buying a ZEV or installing charging equipment through the Sustainable Household Scheme. If you are eligible, you can also apply for a zero-interest loan of up to $10,000 through the Sustainable Household Scheme to cover remaining costs, giving you access to up to $15,000 in total support.
Which rebate suits someone best depends on what kind of solar solutions are adopted. Following the introduction of the Australian Government’s battery discount, we are increasing the incentive you can receive for connecting your battery to a Virtual Power Plant (VPP). This will enable you to pay off your battery faster, whilst supporting supply to the grid to help keep power costs down and the lights on for your community. As a new solar owner, you don’t need to worry about trading certificates or any paperwork.

Of course, the  exact feed-in tariff is decided by your electricity company. If you have a system that lets you function as an energy concession holder, the financial rebate is usually around $250 per kWh. The rebate differs from state to state, because the number of sunshine hours may vary significantly from location to location.
A typical 10 kWh home battery costs between $8,000 and $12,000 before rebates. With the Cheaper Home Batteries Program and STCs, eligible households can save around $4,000 – $5,000 in total. This streamlined approach means homeowners don’t need to manually apply for rebates—the discount is applied directly to reduce the upfront cost. South Australia is a solar energy powerhouse, with the uptake of small-scale solar energy systems supported by the following programs. More recently, battery subsidy schemes and government-run low-cost or interest-free battery loans have popped up. Support varies from state to state, and below you’ll find what’s available where you live.

Under the scheme, eligible systems can earn small-scale technology certificates (STCs) based on how much electricity they generate, store/dispatch or displace. Each megawatt hour of renewable energy generated by the system is awarded one STC  for systems that generate electricity. The usable capacity of solar batteries to store electricity is used to calculate the number of STCs the system may be registered for. “This mechanism will allow businesses and households to switch to ESCO service providers for more reliable and cleaner energy without the need for loans to finance the full upfront costs of rooftop solar equipment themselves.
South Australian Minister for Energy and Mining Dan van Holst Pellekaan has revealed some numbers on uptake of the state’s home solar battery grants scheme. To participate, individuals and small businesses must choose and install an eligible renewable energy system. Follow our step-by-step guide to find out everything you need to know about installing a solar battery.
The battery must be compatible with a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) and listed on the Clean Energy Council’s (CEC) approved product list. If you are unsure whether your preferred product meets these criteria, our team can help confirm that for you. You can begin planning and even install your system now, but the battery must not be turned on or commissioned until after July 1, 2025. If Labor wins the federal election on May 3, the rebate will begin on July 1, 2025. There were extras that we add on top of the install, such as 2x backup circuits in case of blackout and extra for an extra 18km of travel from their office. The sales person, Chris was great and he kept me in touch where things were at.

From 1 July 2025, the Cheaper Home Batteries Program is offering about a 30% discount on eligible small-scale batteries via the SRES framework. The SA Government will cover half of your total project cost, with eligible grants ranging from $2,500 to $75,000. Your battery can be physically installed before July 1, 2025, but it must not be commissioned or switched on until after that date. If you would like help navigating the timing, we encourage you to contact our team for assistance.