5.13 Home batteries

5.13 Home batteries

A home battery stores electricity, usually from your rooftop solar, so you can use it later, such as in the evening. This can reduce your energy bills dramatically, as energy is typically the most expensive during the evenings, compounded by low solar feed-in tariffs during the day. It is one of the upgrades you may be able to choose through Home Energy Saver.

Key features

  • Stores excess solar energy for use at night or during peak times.
  • Can reduce the electricity you buy from the grid when prices are highest.
  • May provide backup during some power outages, depending on the system.
  • Can connect to a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) so you can earn from your stored energy.

How it works

A home battery is like a rechargeable power bank for your home. It stores excess electricity from your rooftop solar during the day. You can then use that stored energy at night, or during peak times when electricity from the grid is most expensive.

A few key facts

  • Works best with solar. A battery is most useful if you already have, or are installing, rooftop solar.
  • Savings: a household may save or earn between around $600 and over $2,500 a year through stored energy and Virtual Power Plant payments, with the system paying for itself in about seven years. These figures are from the NSW Government and are still to be confirmed for publication. 
  • Sizes: home batteries generally range from about 6 kWh to 35 kWh or more.

Is it right for your home?

A home battery may suit your home if you:

  • have solar, or are installing solar at the same time
  • use a lot of energy in the evening
  • want more energy independence and some backup during outages.

Your electrical and safety assessment confirms the right battery and size for your home before anything is installed. See Your electrical and safety assessment and Quote.

Other government incentives

Some upgrades may also qualify for other Government incentives, such as the NSW Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS) and Federal Cheaper Home Battery Program (CHBP). Where they apply, these are applied automatically to eligible products at estimate and quote, so you do not need to make a separate application. If you connect your battery to a Virtual Power Plant (VPP), a separate NSW Government incentive may also apply. [TBC] See How much will I pay? for your Home Energy Saver discount and contribution, and Other incentives for how these schemes work.

Learn more about NSW Energy Saving Schemes

Available models for Home Energy Saver discounts

Full list of currently available batteries at: creditex.com.au/hes/products/home-battery

Batteries connect through a compatible hybrid inverter, and single-phase and three-phase options are available for some models. The list may change, and the models available to you are confirmed at your electrical and safety assessment.

Home Energy Saver discounts are funded by the NSW Government and delivered by Creditex.