Last updated November 2026
Why add a battery to your solar?
Feed-in tariffs for exporting solar to the grid are now low, and often lower still in the middle of the day. That means the solar you use yourself is worth much more than the solar you send back. A battery stores your excess solar so you can use it in the evening, when power is most expensive.
A battery can also:
- Reduce how much electricity you buy from the grid
- Give you more control over your energy and your bills
- Let you join a virtual power plant (VPP), where your battery helps support the grid in exchange for credits or payments
- Keep some or all of your home running during a blackout, if the system includes backup (check which circuits are covered)
Federal battery rebate
The Australian Government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program reduces the upfront cost of an eligible home battery, based on its usable capacity. The discount is tiered by battery size, gets smaller every six months, and runs until the end of 2030. Your installer applies it to your quote. See current battery rebates.
Battery brands worth comparing
There are now hundreds of battery models eligible for the federal rebate. These are some of the brands Australian installers commonly quote:
- Sigenergy: Chinese maker of the SigenStor all-in-one system (inverter and stackable battery modules). It was Australia’s top-selling home battery brand in 2025.
- Sungrow: One of the world’s largest inverter makers. Its batteries pair with Sungrow hybrid inverters.
- Tesla Powerwall 3: A well-known all-in-one battery with a built-in solar inverter. It can be added to an existing system or installed with new panels. Learn more
- Alpha ESS: All-in-one battery systems, widely installed in Australia.
- GoodWe: Batteries designed to pair with GoodWe hybrid inverters.
- BYD: Modular batteries that work with a range of hybrid inverters. Learn more
- Enphase IQ Battery: Pairs with Enphase microinverter systems.
- Sonnen: German battery maker. Learn more
The right battery depends on your existing solar and inverter, how much power you use in the evening, whether you want backup, and your budget. Compare quotes from up to three trusted local installers to see which options suit your home.
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