Provides households, community organisations and small businesses with a discount on the upfront cost of installing a small-scale solar battery.

The $2.3 billion Cheaper Home Batteries Program is now available to help more people install batteries.

Australia is a world leader in rooftop solar with more than 4 million rooftop solar PV systems; however, only one in 40 households has installed batteries. The high upfront cost of batteries means installing batteries is out of reach for many households and businesses.

Australian households, businesses and community organisations can now get a discount of around 30% on the upfront cost of installing small-scale battery systems (5 kWh to 100 kWh).

The discount is:

• Available for batteries connected to new or existing solar PV systems
• Funded by the government to ensure no extra costs are passed on to consumers
• Based on the battery’s usable capacity and the number of small-scale technology certificates, the battery is eligible for
• Going to be reviewed at least annually and will gradually decrease until 2030, in line with reducing battery prices

The program is:

• Helping participating households, businesses, and community organisations reduce electricity bills by making the most of cheap and clean solar power, by storing it for when it is needed
• Lowering costs for everyone - not just those who install a battery – by reducing peak demand and creating a more stable electricity grid
• Communicating responsibilities for retailers, installers and consumers to ensure batteries are bought and installed legally, safely and for permanent use.

Consumers do not need to apply for the discount

The discount is generally provided through accredited installers/retailers. The discount will be offered as an upfront reduction on the cost of the battery, unless you decide to register for STCs (small-scale technology certificates) yourself via the Clean Energy Regulator (CER).

An eligible battery system could include:

• A single battery unit
• A system of modular battery cells connected to serve as one battery unit

Additional capacity added to an existing battery system is eligible if:

• The battery system has not previously received a discount under the program
• The additional capacity is at least 5 kilowatt-hours (kWh), and the total upgraded capacity of the battery does not exceed 100 kWh in nominal capacity

An eligible battery system must be in the range of 5 kWh to 100 kWh in nominal capacity. Systems up to 100 kWh in total nominal capacity are only eligible for STCs for the first 50 kWh of the new or added usable capacity.

To be eligible under the Program, a battery cannot be a standalone battery and must be connected to a solar PV system installed at the same place.

Eligibility is open to property owners (homeowners, landlords, small businesses, community facilities) installing a new on-grid solar-battery system.

Click here to view full funding guidelines on the provider's website.

Smith Thornton subscribes to a grant search provider and can help you prepare your grant application. If you have any questions our Business Services Advisor Jenna van Nierop will be happy to assist. You can email her at jennav@smiththornton.com.au or call her on 9842 5155.