CEC Proposes $6,400 Home Battery Subsidy for Rooftop Solar Integration

The Clean Energy Council (CEC) is advocating for a $6,500 subsidy to facilitate the integration of home batteries with the grid and the absorption of surplus rooftop solar energy. According to Con Hristodoulidis, the CEC director of distributed energy, the widespread adoption of rooftop solar in Australia has been fuelled by Federal rebate and incentive programmes. Similarly, recent initiatives in certain states and territories promoting home batteries have been well-received.

Hristodoulidis emphasises the necessity of a national scheme to optimise the advantages of coordinated home battery usage for consumers. This scheme should focus on ensuring the deployment of top-quality products that adhere to stringent safety standards.

State Initiatives and Potential Savings

Several states already offer battery subsidies, albeit with certain limitations. For instance, the Queensland government unveiled a $4,000 rebate for home batteries, subject to income thresholds. CEC research indicates that households with a standalone battery could potentially save around $900 annually on their energy bills. In contrast, orchestrated battery systems integrated into electricity markets could result in savings exceeding $1,150 per year.

The escalating demand for batteries is attributed to diminishing feed-in tariffs, prompting consumers to seek ways to optimise their existing rooftop solar setups. In January, a manager at Smart Energy, a solar panel and battery installation company, disclosed