Solar Batteries for Home

With electricity prices continue to rise across Australia, many homeowners are turning to renewable energy options like solar power or batteries to lower their bills and reduce reliance on the grid. At SolarBright we’ve helped thousands of homes and businesses in NSW make the switch to renewable energy to reduce the pain of cost of living pressures.

In this guide, we’ll dive into why solar batteries are becoming more popular, how they can save you money and what to keep in mind when choosing a battery. We’ll also show you how our team at SolarBright simplifies the process making your switch to renewables easy and stress free.

Why Solar Batteries Are Becoming Popular

Solar batteries are changing the way Australians use solar energy. With more than 4 million households across the country already using rooftop solar, adding batteries is becoming the natural next step. Feed-in tariffs have dropped significantly (now as low as 3–7 cents per kWh in NSW) making it less profitable to send surplus solar power back to the grid.

At the same time, peak electricity rates have soared, sometimes exceeding 40-50 cents per kWh. A solar battery captures surplus energy during the day so you can use it at night reducing the need to purchase expensive grid power. Plus, thanks to the new NSW battery rebates launched in November 2024, installing a solar battery is more affordable than ever.

When Should You Consider Solar Batteries

If your household consumes a lot of electricity at night a solar battery can be a great investment. Without a battery, any extra solar power produced during the day is either sent to the grid for minimal compensation or wasted. A battery ensures you store this energy for evening use and maximise your solar investment. Also, if you live in an area that experiences a lot of outages, solar batteries can keep your property running.

Achieving Energy Independence

Adding a solar battery can be a real game-changer when it comes to slashing your electricity bills and taking control of your energy use. The battery works by storing excess solar energy during the day so you can power your home at night without having to draw from the grid.

For example, a 6.6kW solar system in NSW produces roughly 25kWh of energy per day based on Clean Energy Council estimates. If you use 15kWh during the day, a 10kWh battery will store the remaining energy for you to use in the evening.

This setup would drastically reduce your reliance on the grid saving you hundreds of dollars each year. These savings add up over time shortening your payback time and making solar battery installation a smart financial investment. We’ve seen some of our customers slash their bills by around 80-100%.

Solar Battery Payback Time

When weighing the cost of a solar battery, the payback period is an important factor. Lately, it has been shrinking due to rising electricity prices and new incentives.

Take one of our popular setups at SolarBright: a 6.6kW solar system paired with a 10.8kWh SolaX battery, priced at $10,588. Based on our calculations, this system could pay for itself in just under 4 years. On top of this, the NSW battery rebate shaves off another $1,600 to $2,400, making that breakeven point arrive even sooner. Curious for a deeper dive into the numbers? Check out our blog on Solar Battery Pricing and Payback Time for a full breakdown.

Things to Consider When Choosing Solar Batteries

It’s important to consider a few key factors when selecting a solar battery for you home or business. Here are some things to look out for:

1. Installer – The Most Important Factor: A reputable solar battery installer is essential for a safe and reliable solar battery setup. A poor installation can most likely void warranties or reduce battery performance. It’s best to go with an installer with a proven track record you can trust. Look to see if they have many positive reviews over a range of platforms, recognised service across the industry and operate out of their fully-owned facility.
2. Capacity: The capacity of the battery is measured in kWh and tells you how much it can store. For most homes a 10kWh battery is usually enough. However, if your energy needs are expected to grow say by adding an electric vehicle (EV) or expanding your household then modular systems like Sungrow and SolaX offer you flexibility to easily add more capacity later.
3. Warranty: Look for a battery with a solid warranty of at least 10 years or 6,000 cycles. Also, check the degradation rate as most brands guarantee 70% capacity after 10 years. A solid warranty gives you confidence that your investment will last.
4. Battery Chemistry: Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries are a top choice for a reason. They are safe, durable and have a long lifespan.
5. Efficiency: Round-trip efficiency measures how much energy is kept during charging and discharging. Look for 90% or higher to maximise savings.
6. Blackout Protection: If power outages are common in your area, choose batteries with backup features which seamlessly keep your appliances running grid failures.
7. Virtual Power Plants (VPPS): VPPs let you sell stored energy to the grid boosting your savings. Just keep in mind that frequent cycling may reduce battery lifespan so it’s important to weigh the pros and cons.

Check Your Eligibility for NSW Battery Rebates

The NSW government’s Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS), launched 1^st November 2024, offers rebates of $1,600–$2,400 for installing solar battery, plus $250–$400 for VPP connection. Eligible batteries must:

• Storage capacity of 2–28kWh.
• Operate in temperatures from -10°C to 50°C.
• Retain at least 70% usable capacity after 10 years.
• Include a battery management system with internet connectivity for VPP compatibility.

Only installers working with Accredited Certificate Providers (ACPs), like SolarBright, can offer the rebate which will be applied as an upfront discount. The SolarBright team is here to guide you through the information to make sure you are well informed before making a decision.

SolarBright’s Battery Recommendations

At SolarBright, we offer a range of solar batteries that are designed to suit your needs. Here are some of our recommendations:

For Budget-Friendly Options

• Solax: Affordable and reliable, Solax batteries are perfect for basic energy storage. With LFP chemistry and a 10-year warranty they deliver great value for money.

For Retrofit Solar Systems

• Tesla Powerwall 2 (13.5kWh): This AC-Coupled battery is perfect for integrating with existing solar systems.
• Sonnen Evo: Known for their reliability, Sonnen’s batteries are designed for easy integration into existing systems. They’re excellent for homeowners prioritising durability and backup power.

For Growth and Scalability

• Tesla Powerwall 3 (13.5kWh): The latest Powerwall model offers improved power output making it ideal for households planning to expand energy needs.
• Sungrow Batteries: These modular batteries are flexible allowing for capacity upgrades as your energy needs grow.

Thinking About Solar Battery Installation?

Choosing SolarBright for your solar battery installation means partnering with an award-winning, family-owned business that has gained the trust of over 17,000 customers since 2008. As an NETCC Approved Reseller, we’ve earned multiple awards across the industry. Our process is stress free and simple:

1. Tailored Design: We analyse your power bills and property to design a tailored proposal.
2. Professional Installation: Our fully licensed installation teams guarantee a safe and compliant installation.
3. Ongoing Support: We provide ongoing maintenance and support to maximise the lifespan of your battery and your savings.

Ready to take control? Contact us today on 1300 852 622 to speak with our friendly experts. Don’t miss out on NSW battery rebates—secure your solar battery installation now and start saving!