Imagine opening your letterbox and, instead of the usual heart‑stopping electricity bill, you find a credit. For one Sydney family, that scenario has become their new reality.
And with a fresh federal incentive about to launch, many Australians could soon follow in their footsteps.
From bill shock to bill zero: One family’s solar journey
Anthony Barrett, a 58‑year‑old lighting designer from Stanmore, Sydney, once handed over between $2,000 and $2,800 a year in energy costs—a figure all too familiar to many households.
After a series of bold moves—installing solar panels, inverters, two hefty 10 kWh batteries, switching to a heat pump and electrifying the kitchen—Anthony’s family not only wiped out their power bills but now earns credits from their energy provider.
The upgrade was not cheap. Over the years, the Barretts have invested about $30,000 in home‑energy improvements, with the batteries alone costing $21,000.
‘It was a crazy expense,’ Anthony admits, yet he points to the long‑term payoff. ‘We’ve had both batteries for about two years now and we’re thousands ahead. We’re earning well over $1,000 a year.’
By his calculations, the batteries will cover their cost in roughly seven years. With a 10‑year warranty and an expected 12‑year lifespan, the numbers keep stacking up.
The family has even plotted a 24‑year plan, factoring in future battery replacements. ‘It’s a long‑term thing and it’s a big upfront cost too. It’s nothing to be sneezed at,’ Anthony says.
‘Everyone’s different. I can really only speak for myself and we looked at all the maths, we did a lot of research and so far on our little journey, it’s coming up exactly as was promised.’
The new battery rebate: What’s in it for you?
From 1 July, the federal government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program will offer a 30 per cent discount on the cost of installing a battery for households, businesses and community organisations.
The aim? To make it easier for everyday Australians to store the solar energy they generate and use it when it is most valuable—like during the evening peak or on cloudy days.
With about four million Australian homes already sporting solar panels, the missing piece for many has been affordable battery storage.
Upfront cost remains a major barrier: research by Brighte found half of Australians thought the price of home‑energy upgrades was simply too high, and a third found the process overwhelming.
Under the rebate, a 5 kWh battery (which starts at around $4,000) could become far more accessible.
The Smart Energy Council recommends a battery size between 5 and 15 kWh for most households, depending on energy needs.
How much could you save?
Government modelling suggests that, if you already have rooftop solar, adding a battery could save you up to $1,100 extra each year.
Installing both new solar panels and a battery could lift annual savings to as much as $2,300.
That is not just a dent in your power bill—it is a sledgehammer. With energy prices and the cost of living on the rise, every dollar counts.
As Anthony puts it, ‘Life in general is not cheap, it’s not getting any cheaper, but the thing we don’t worry about is our electricity bill and power bill.’
What about state incentives?
While the federal government is stepping up, some states are winding back their own battery incentives.
New South Wales (NSW) has replaced its home‑battery rebate with a smaller incentive for households that join virtual power plants.
Victoria has ended its interest‑free solar‑battery loan. Queensland’s $4,000 battery rebate closed at the end of last year.
If you have been sitting on the fence, now might be the moment to act.
Is it right for you?
Not everyone has $30,000 to spend on a full home‑energy makeover. Yet the new rebate makes the numbers a lot friendlier, and as battery prices fall and technology improves, payback periods should get even shorter.
If you are weighing up a switch, keep these points in mind:
- Do your homework: Research battery brands, sizes and warranties, and obtain quotes from several installers.
- Check your eligibility: Confirm that you qualify for the federal rebate and look for any remaining local incentives.
- Crunch the numbers: Examine your current energy use and bills, and project potential savings.
- Think long term: Batteries require a sizeable investment, but they can pay off over time—especially as energy prices rise.
What’s your experience?
Many Australians are already experimenting with solar panels and batteries, while others are waiting for prices to drop even further.
Your insights—positive or negative—could help fellow readers decide whether the leap is worthwhile.
Have you installed solar or a battery at home, or are you still crunching the numbers?
Share your story, tips or questions in the comments below and join the conversation about making our homes smarter, greener and more affordable.
Also read: Double $1,500 solar cash boost to power your home and business
Trust me, as soon as the telco realises it is paying money TO a customer it will be nipped in the bud quick-smart. When we had solar panels installed on our ACT home a couple of decades ago we didn’t pay a cent (it was only 7c rebate, we had missed the mega 20+c roll-our), and in fact received credits into our bank account each billing period. Turns out, according to ACTEWAGL, that their meter-reader had not been properly trained in reading the new equipment; at least, that was what we were told when someone saw a credit of $1700 coming to us and woke up to the ‘mistake’.
We lived in Tasmania and had 6kW installed. We only paid for power for 5months a year due to First Energy, our power supplier’s solar rebate of 15 cents per kilowatt hour, which was very helpful in the colder months in Tassie, with heaters going for many hours but we had plenty of sunshine to generate power. And we didn’t have batteries. If you can afford it, go for it. P.S, yes, I said 15 cents above. Not a mistype, though now it has come down to 14 cents.!!