Best Solar Batteries in Australia: How to Choose the Right Home Battery
Choosing the best solar battery in Australia comes down to matching the system to your household energy use, solar generation and backup needs. The right option should provide enough usable capacity, support your required loads and work with your existing home energy setup.
This guide explains how to size a battery, compare power output, understand solar battery prices and available rebates, and narrow down the best option for your home.
Key Takeaways
The best solar battery should match your storage needs, power demand, existing solar setup and budget.
Use evening electricity consumption and surplus solar to estimate the battery capacity your household can realistically use.
Compare capacity (kWh) and output (kW) separately to balance backup duration with the appliances you need to run.
A portable power station can support selected household loads, while larger battery systems can cover broader home backup needs.
Factor in the total installed cost and available rebates before making your final choice.
How to Choose the Right Solar Battery Size
Sizing a home battery is not about picking the biggest box on the wall. You want a unit that charges from your available daytime solar surplus and covers your electricity use without leaving expensive storage empty.
Check Your Daily and Overnight Electricity Use
Start with interval data from your electricity retailer and focus on how much electricity you use after solar generation falls. Review different periods of the year where possible, as heating and cooling can change demand.
While the average Australian household uses around 15.31kWh per day, your own evening and overnight use is more useful for sizing. If you use 16kWh a day but only 8–10kWh after sunset, the battery does not necessarily need to cover the full 16kWh.
Calculate the Usable Battery Capacity You Need
Once you know your overnight use, estimate how much of it you want the battery to cover.
For example:
Night-time electricity use: 11kWh
Target coverage: 80%
Required usable capacity: 11kWh × 0.8 = 8.8kWh
In this example, a 9–10 kWh solar battery could be a practical starting point, provided your rooftop solar regularly generates enough surplus electricity to recharge it.
When comparing batteries, check usable capacity in kWh, rather than relying only on the nominal or headline capacity.
Battery Capacity | Best For | Typical Home Profile |
5–8kWh | Small homes | Low evening use, 1-2 people |
10–15kWh | Standard families | Running evening appliances, 6.6kW solar |
20kWh+ | High energy users | Large homes, EV charging, heavy backup |
Use these ranges as a starting point rather than a fixed rule. Your own electricity use, solar exports and desired backup duration should determine the final battery size.
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Check Compatibility With Your Existing Solar Setup
Make sure the battery is compatible with your existing solar system, inverter and home electrical setup. Depending on the system, adding battery storage may require extra equipment or electrical work.
If you also want backup during a blackout, check what appliances or circuits the battery can support when the grid goes down.
Compare Warranty, Lifespan and Expandability
Battery size is only part of the long-term decision. Compare the warranty period, any limits on battery cycles or energy throughput, and the amount of capacity the manufacturer guarantees to retain over time.
Also check whether the system can be expanded later. If your electricity use increases after adding an EV, more solar panels, or other electric appliances, an expandable system lets you add storage without oversizing the battery from the start.
How Much Battery Output Do You Need for Home Backup?
Decide What You Need to Run During an Outage
Start with the appliances you want available during a blackout. Essential backup may only cover the fridge, Wi-Fi, lighting and electronics, while broader backup can include cooking appliances or air conditioning.
Typical appliance power requirements can vary by model, but the figures below provide a useful starting point:
Appliance | Indicative Running Power | Key Consideration |
Refrigerator / freezer | Around 180W | Startup demand may reach around 1,800W |
Television | Around 40–180W | Depends strongly on screen size |
Microwave | Around 625–2,000W | High load while operating |
Electric frypan | Around 1,300W | Adds quickly to simultaneous demand |
Coffee maker | Around 1,750–2,400W | Short-duration but relatively high load |
Air conditioner | Around 1,200W for a smaller unit; larger systems can be much higher | Startup demand can substantially exceed running power |
These are indicative figures only. Appliance ratings vary, so use the wattage shown on the appliance nameplate or in the manufacturer specifications when calculating your own backup load.
Calculate Your Simultaneous Power Demand
Add together the running power of the appliances you expect to use simultaneously.
Example:
Refrigerator: 180W
Television: 150W
Microwave: 1,200W
Other essential loads: 200W
Total simultaneous load: 1,730W, or about 1.73kW
Your battery should provide at least this level of continuous output, with some additional headroom for changing loads.
For refrigerators, pumps, air conditioners and other motor-driven appliances, also consider startup or surge demand, which can be considerably higher than normal running power.
When comparing batteries, keep these two ratings separate:
Capacity (kWh): how much energy the battery stores and how long it may run your appliances.
Output (kW): how much power the battery can deliver at one time.
How Much Does a Solar Battery Cost in Australia?
Solar battery costs in Australia vary by capacity, system configuration and installation requirements. When comparing solar battery prices, focus on the total installed cost rather than the battery unit alone, as inverter changes, backup wiring and switchboard work can all affect the final quote.
Typical Solar Battery Prices in Australia by Capacity
As a current guide, typical battery prices vary depending on whether the battery is installed with a new solar system or added to an existing one:
Battery Size | New System | Adding to Existing Solar* |
5kWh | A$6,140 | A$7,740 |
10kWh | A$8,880 | A$10,680 |
13.5kWh | A$10,498 | A$12,598 |
27kWh | A$19,046 | A$22,846 |
*The retrofit figures assume a new hybrid inverter is required. Actual quotes vary with battery model, existing solar equipment, backup requirements and installation complexity.
Battery costs increase with capacity, and retrofitting storage to an existing solar system is generally more expensive than installing it as part of a new system. Based on the estimates above, prices range from about A$6,140 for a 5kWh battery with a new system to around A$22,846 for a 27kWh retrofit.
Solar Battery Rebates and Incentives in Australia
Australian households may be able to reduce battery costs through the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program, with additional incentives available in some states and territories. The federal program provides an upfront discount of around 30% for eligible battery systems.
Indicative federal rebate amounts include:
Battery Capacity | Approx. Rebate |
8kWh | A$2,013 |
10kWh | A$2,516 |
13.5kWh | A$3,367 |
20kWh | A$4,403 |
27kWh | A$5,476 |
The rebate applies to eligible battery systems within the program's capacity limits, with support tapering for larger batteries from May 2026.
Some households can also access extra state support. In WA, eligible Synergy customers can receive up to A$1,300, while Horizon Power customers can receive up to A$3,800 on top of federal support. NSW also offers an additional incentive for eligible batteries connected to a Virtual Power Plant (VPP).
These incentives reduce the upfront cost of battery storage and can shorten the payback period. Actual payback will still depend on the final installed price, your electricity tariffs, solar exports and how much stored energy you use each day.
Which Solar Battery Is Best for Your Needs?
EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max Plus — Best for Flexible Home Backup
The EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max Plus Portable Power Station suits households that want flexible backup for essentials and selected appliances. It provides 2,048kWh of capacity, 3,000W AC output, and expandable storage for longer backup needs.
With up to 1,000W solar input, it is a practical option for households prioritizing flexibility, moderate storage and selected-load backup.
EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra — Best for Scalable Whole-Home Backup
For larger backup requirements, the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra Whole-home Backup Battery starts at around 6kWh and expands to 30kWh, with 6,900W AC output for higher household loads. Paired with an EcoFlow Transfer Switch, it can integrate with your home's electrical system for broader whole-home backup during an outage.
Conclusion
Choosing the best solar batteries in Australia means matching storage capacity, power output, backup needs and total cost to how your household actually uses electricity. Use your evening consumption, solar surplus and available rebates to narrow down the right size and setup, then choose the option that best fits your everyday use and blackout backup needs.
FAQs
Is 10kW solar enough to run a house?
A 10kW solar system can cover a large share of electricity use for many Australian homes, but actual output depends on location, season, shading and household demand. Solar generation also falls at night, so it cannot provide continuous home power on its own. For backup, size the battery separately based on your evening and overnight use, required runtime and the appliances you want to run.
Can I add a battery to my existing solar panels?
Yes, you can retrofit storage into an existing solar array. Most homeowners install an AC-coupled battery, which includes a built-in inverter and links straight to your switchboard. Have an SAA-accredited electrician check your circuit board, network rules, and backup wiring so your system qualifies for federal Clean Energy Council rebates.
Are solar batteries worth it in Australia?
Yes, especially if you export daytime solar for low feed-in credits while paying high evening rates. Storing surplus solar lets you avoid expensive evening power tariffs and keeps your refrigerator running during severe storm outages. Financial returns depend on your daily household consumption, local network tariffs, battery cycle life, and eligibility for government rebates.