Reduce Your Electricity Bills
By using stored solar energy during peak times (when electricity prices are highest), you can reduce your dependence on grid power and lower your electricity bills. Over time, this can lead to significant savings.
Greater Energy Security
Home batteries can provide backup power during blackouts or power outages. This means you can keep your lights, fridge, Wi-Fi, and other essentials running, offering peace of mind, especially in areas prone to outages.
Positive Environmental Impact
Using more of your own solar energy helps reduce demand for electricity from fossil fuels. This lowers your household’s carbon emissions and supports a more sustainable energy system.
The payback period is the time it takes for the money you save on electricity bills to equal the cost of purchasing and installing a solar battery. While a basic method is to divide the battery system cost by your estimated yearly savings, a more accurate payback estimate should consider real-world variables that affect performance and savings over time.
Key factors that influence the payback period include:
System cost – upfront purchase and installation of the battery.
Electricity usage patterns – how much energy you consume and when you use it.
Feed-in tariff – the rate you’re paid for exporting excess solar to the grid.
Battery capacity & efficiency – how much usable energy your battery can store and how efficiently it operates.
Battery lifespan and warranty – typically 10–15 years; a shorter lifespan can impact cost recovery.
Location & climate – affects how much solar energy your system can generate.
Usable Capacity: This refers to the actual amount of energy a battery can deliver when solar panels aren’t generating power, usually measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). It determines how long your battery can supply your home.
Installation Expenses: The final cost of installing a battery can differ depending on several factors, such as whether you already have solar panels, the battery’s placement, and the condition of your home’s electrical switchboard.
Adding to Existing System vs. New Setup: Installing a battery on an existing solar system often comes at a higher cost, unless the system was originally set up as ‘battery-ready’ with a compatible hybrid inverter.
| Popular Batteries | Usable Capacity | Battery Preview |
|---|---|---|
|
BYD |
5.1 kWh to 22.1 kWh |
|
|
Sigenergy |
5.2 kWh to 48 kWh |
|
|
Tesla |
13.5 kWh to 40.5 kWh |
|
|
Sungrow |
9.6kWh to 25.6kWh |
|
|
SolaX |
5.1 kWh to 43.1 kWh |
|
|
SAJ |
5 kWh to 25 kWh |
|
|
Goodwe |
5.4 kWh to 32.4 kWh |
|
Storing Excess Energy
When your solar system produces more electricity than your home needs, the extra energy is usually sent to the grid. However, if your system has export limits, any surplus beyond that cap may be wasted. Installing a battery allows you to store this excess energy for later, rather than losing it. This improves your energy independence, increases your solar usage, cuts down on electricity bought from the grid, and reduces energy wastage. However, batteries are only beneficial if your solar system generates enough surplus power to store, making them less practical for very small systems.
Backup Power During Outages
Most grid-connected solar systems stop working during blackouts for safety reasons. With the right setup, a battery can provide backup power when the grid is down.
Some batteries power only essential appliances
“Islandable” systems can run your home independently during outages
Backup can cover the whole house or just key circuits (e.g. lights, fridge)
This is especially useful in areas with frequent power cuts.
Financial Benefits
A battery can help lower your energy bills by:
Reducing how much power you buy from your electricity provider
Letting you shift usage to off-peak times
Cutting peak demand charges
Joining a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) program for added savings
Battery Safety, Lifetime and Quality
When choosing a solar battery, it’s important to consider safety, performance, and product quality. Always check if the battery appears on the Clean Energy Council’s approved list, which ensures it has passed independent testing and meets Australian standards. Look into the expected lifespan, usually measured in years, charge/discharge cycles, or total energy throughput. Review the warranty terms and online feedback, and prefer manufacturers with solid reputations and local support in Australia. Ask your installer about the manufacturer’s history, safety compliance, recall procedures, and who is responsible for warranty claims, installer or manufacturer. Choosing a New Energy Tech approved seller can also provide added confidence in product and service standards.
Integrating Solar and Battery
Batteries can be connected to your solar system in two main ways:
The way a battery connects to your solar system affects how the system performs.
One common setup uses two inverters, one for the solar panels and another for the battery. This is often used when adding a battery to an existing solar system.
Another option uses a single hybrid inverter that manages both solar and battery functions. This is typically chosen for new solar and battery installations.
Your installer will assess your system and recommend the most suitable setup based on your energy use and equipment.
Clearance and Preparation
Battery installation must follow strict safety rules, including limits on where batteries can be mounted and their distance from living areas, doors, and windows. The battery must be installed on approved surfaces and positioned to meet spacing regulations. To ensure a safe and compliant installation, always use a licensed installer who is accredited to work with battery systems. Your installer should also assess your home’s layout and switchboard before finalising the setup.
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