Thinking About a Battery? Here's What You Need to Know About the New Federal Rebate

There’s never been a better time to look into battery storage, especially if you're living in northwest NSW and want to make the most of your solar power. The federal government has just launched a new Cheaper Home Batteries Program offering a discount of around 30% to help households install home batteries. The goal? Cut power bills, boost energy security, and support a cleaner grid.

Batteries are modular, usually stacking in a cabinet - without the dog!

You can check your eligibility and learn more here:👉 Cheaper Home Batteries Program - Australian Government

We know rural homes often face higher install costs due to travel, supply chain issues, and grid constraints. That’s why getting the right battery, not just the biggest or cheapest, is so important.

What the Rebate Covers

The rebate is available for batteries that:

• Are between 2 kWh and 30 kWh in capacity (see previous blog explaining kWh)

• Appear on the Clean Energy Council’s approved battery list

• Are installed by a Solar Accreditation Australia accredited installer

• Are installed with solar or added to an existing rooftop solar system

Before you commit, double-check that your installer and chosen battery meet these requirements.

You can find the list here:🔗 CEC Battery List

You can find the accredited installer list here: 🔗 Installer List

Supporting a local installer will ensure you get follow up service.

Making Sense of the Market

There’s a bit of a battery boom happening right now, and with it, some confusion. That’s why Sam Bendat from Solving Zero analysed 40 real-life battery quotes shared online. His findings might surprise you.

“It seems like people are getting batteries larger than they actually need,” says Sam. “A large battery isn’t bad, as long as the homeowner understands they’re signing up for a hobby—balancing usage, joining VPPs, and doing energy market gymnastics. If they want a healthy return, they need to go full energy nerd.”

His analysis showed average battery sizes around 19.6 kWh, while most homes he’s assessed could comfortably get by with something under 16 kWh.

STAY TUNED SOON AS GENI.ENERGY WILL OFFER A DISCOUNT TO A SERVICE THAT HELPS IDENTIFY YOUR CORRECT SIZED BATTERY.......

What About the Right Size?

Sam offers more insight in a recent newsletter where he explains that finding the right size battery is a balancing act.

“Too small, and a battery won’t offset enough evening electricity consumption. Too large, and you’re paying extra for capacity that’s never used.”

To get it right, you need to understand your energy usage across the day, your tariff structure, and how your solar and grid usage interact.

Sam runs full simulations using household data to test how different batteries would perform hour-by-hour across the year. This level of detail helps find what he calls the "sweet spot" between value and performance.

STAY TUNED SOON AS GENI.ENERGY WILL OFFER A DISCOUNT TO A SERVICE THAT HELPS IDENTIFY YOUR CORRECT SIZED BATTERY.......

Helpful Tips from SolarQuotes

Whether you're just starting your research or already holding a quote, here are some clear, practical tips to help:

1. Make sure the battery is CEC-approved - The rebate only applies to models listed by the Clean Energy Council. Don’t assume, ask your installer for proof.

2. Size isn’t everything - Oversized batteries might not deliver better results. In fact, a smaller battery that suits your usage patterns may perform more efficiently and last longer.

3. Look at total value, not just price per kWh - While $550 per kWh is a national ballpark figure, rural installations often cost more due to distance and logistics. Focus on quality, warranty, and service, not just raw cost.

4. Ask for a battery performance simulation - Some installers (or independent services like Sam’s) can analyse your energy data to recommend a battery size tailored to your household. This takes the guesswork out and can prevent expensive overinvestment.

5. Consider backup options - Not all batteries provide blackout protection. If that’s important to you, make sure the system includes backup circuits.

Our Take

Here in northwest NSW, many of us are used to being at the edge of the grid, and the idea of having our own solar-charged battery backup is incredibly appealing. The federal rebate is a great nudge to help make that happen, but like any major investment, it’s worth doing your homework.

As Sam puts it:

“Even if you do want to upsize a battery, we’ll help you figure out where the point of diminishing returns kicks in.”

STAY TUNED SOON AS GENI.ENERGY WILL OFFER A DISCOUNT TO A SERVICE THAT HELPS IDENTIFY YOUR CORRECT SIZED BATTERY.......

At Geni.Energy, we’re all about helping locals make informed, confident decisions about their energy future.

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💡 Keen on a local workshop? Let us know and we’ll set one up, we just did one in Armidale....

Let’s build smarter, more resilient energy systems together.

—The Geni.Energy Team🌞