Federal Solar Battery Rebate 2025: Cheaper Home Batteries Program
Save 30% on Battery Storage from 1 July 2025
From 1 July 2025, eligible Australian households, small businesses, and community facilities can access a federal solar battery rebate of up to 30% off the upfront cost of installing a new home battery system through the Cheaper Home Batteries Program.
This rebate is part of a $2.3 billion expansion of the federal Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES)—aimed at making battery storage more affordable, reducing electricity bills, and cutting emissions by helping more Australians store and use their solar energy more efficiently.
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Key Details at a Glance
- Program Start Date: 1 July 2025
- Rebate Value: Up to $335 per usable kWh (based on a $36 STC price)
- Total Rebate Example: Around $4,000 off a typical 11.5 kWh battery
- Eligible Systems: Batteries between 5–100 kWh (rebate applies up to 50 kWh usable)
- Eligibility: Homeowners, landlords, small businesses, community buildings
- Stackable: Can be combined with eligible state rebates
- Means-Tested: No – open to all eligible property owners
- Solar Requirement: Must be paired with new or existing rooftop solar
- Install Requirement: System must be certified (CoC) on or after 1 July 2025
Battery Program Eligibility & Guidelines
Program Commencement
Eligibility for battery-related discounts begins 1 July 2025, pending regulatory approval.
Program Restrictions
- One battery system per premises
- Applies only for the first time a system is installed, upgraded, or replaced
- All inverter types are eligible (hybrid, standalone, integrated)
Eligible Scenarios
- New installations
- Additions to systems not previously supported
- Replacements that were not earlier supported
Battery Requirements
- 5 kWh to 100 kWh nominal capacity
- STCs apply to first 50 kWh usable
- Must be paired with new or existing solar PV (under 100 kW)
Grid Connection
- On-grid systems must be VPP-capable
- Off-grid systems must meet off-grid criteria and standards
Approved Equipment
- Battery must be on the CEC Approved Battery List
- Must use CEC-approved inverter
STCs and Rebates
- Rebates claimed via Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs)
- Issued at 9.3 per kWh usable capacity in 2025, reducing yearly
- Max 50 kWh supported
Compliance, Consumer Protection & Safety
The Australian Government enforces strict safety standards for battery installations under the Program.
- Installation must be by a Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) certified installer
- System must comply with state/territory electrical safety regulations
- Inspections will be conducted by the Clean Energy Regulator (CER)
- Retailers must provide proper documentation and advice
Consumer protections also extend from existing solar programs and apply to batteries, including fair trading laws and oversight by the ACCC.
Minimising Waste and Supporting Responsible Upgrades
The program encourages waste minimisation by:
- Avoiding unnecessary system replacements
- Supporting product stewardship and recycling practices
- Promoting smart upgrades based on age, performance, and energy needs