Home Batteries

The cost of a home battery is around $1,000 per kilowatt. According to Solar Choice, in August 2023, the average price for a medium sized home battery (8 kWh) is between $10,000 – $12,000. It is suggested that the current average payback period is around 10 years. You can read more about the details in their article here.

It is anticipated that the costs associated with installing home batteries will decline with time, as sales increase. The industry is also working hard to try and develop more capable and affordable home battery solutions. 

Storing surplus solar energy in your home battery and using it when the sun isn’t shining or at night when grid electricity is the most expensive, reduces your reliance on energy from the grid – and hence reduces your power bill. 

Exact savings will be dependent on the scale and performance of your solar panel system and your energy loads. 

https://onestepoffthegrid.com.au/calculating-the-return-on-investment-of-my-tesla-powerwall-battery-storage/

There are no specific government rebates available for home batteries that we’re aware of. Our friends down in Thirroul (Electrify 2515) have a great rebates page which is always worth checking.

Even if you don't use any electricity from the grid you still get charged a daily supply charge of usually $1 per day. So to totally disconnect from the grid, you’d need to ensure you have a large array of solar panels and a battery (most people who go off have a couple!) with a backup generator. Best to chat to a qualified installer, it can be done, but you need the battery storage!

By teaming a high-performing solar panel system up with a home battery, you’re decreasing your reliance on fossil fuel-generated electricity in favour of clean, renewable energy from the sun. The sun is there, it is free and the switch means you leave dirty power behind. For example, the 7.2Kw system featured in our video below saves around 36 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.

In the not too distant future (we hope), Australians will be able to use their electrical vehicle (EV) battery to store and supply electricity to their home. This is known as a V2G (Vehicle to Grid) system and would mean if you have an EV, you essentially also have a large home battery in your driveway - typically 5-6 times the capacity of a standard home battery. V2G relies on bi-directional charging technology, which is at a very early stage in Australia.

PROS

• Allows households to be more self-sufficient, even when the sun isn’t shining

• Reduces reliance on the grid – can even get people off the grid altogether

• Dramatically reduces power bills, in some instances you may even make money

CONS

• Currently has what some may consider a long payback period

• Technology is still evolving, so its unclear if it’s better to wait

• All electrical vehicles are likely to be able to act as large home batteries in the future, meaning that your home battery may become less vital

If you are looking to install, or have installed a solar panel system, the solar company you engage will be able to help advise on a home battery that is right for you. Different batteries have different inverters and capacity, so you should do your homework on this.