Solar Battery Rebate NSW Explained: Save More with Clean Energy
Thinking about adding a battery to your solar setup but not sure if it’s worth the cost? You’re not alone. The good news is, if you live in New South Wales, you might be able to take advantage of the solar battery rebate NSW program—an incentive designed to make home battery storage more affordable.
Whether you’re looking to further reduce your electricity bills or want peace of mind during power outages, this rebate could help you get there sooner. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how the rebate works, who’s eligible, how much you could save, and what steps to take if you’re ready to apply.
What Is the Solar Battery Rebate in NSW?
When people talk about the NSW solar battery rebate, they’re actually referring to the battery installation incentive (BESS 1) under the NSW Government’s Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS) that went live across the state on 1 November 2024. This rebate offers a discount for homes and businesses of any size on new solar battery installations when they’re installed by an accredited provider.
Rather than a cashback or reimbursement, the rebate is applied directly through your installer—so you’ll see the savings in your quote and pay less from the get-go. The size of the rebate depends on the size of your battery, with most households saving between $1,600 and $2,400 on the installation.
There’s also a bonus incentive (BESS 2) if you connect your battery to an approved Virtual Power Plant (VPP)—a system that lets your home battery share stored energy with the grid when it’s needed most and earning you extra credits in return.
The goal of the rebate is simple: reduce pressure on the electricity grid during peak times, help more households make the switch to cleaner, smarter energy, and accelerate the state’s 70% emissions-reduction target for 2035 and net-zero goal for 2050.
Eligibility Requirements for the NSW Battery Rebate
To get the NSW government solar battery rebate, you’ll need to meet the following criteria:
You must already have rooftop solar, or be installing it alongside the battery. The rebate only applies to batteries that are connected to a solar PV system—either existing or newly installed.
Your property must be connected to the electricity grid. Off-grid homes aren’t eligible, as the program is designed to help ease demand on the shared energy network.
You can’t already have a battery installed. The rebate only applies to new battery installations, although some homes with an existing battery might still qualify for the VPP bonus under certain conditions.
Your installer must be working with an Accredited Certificate Provider (ACP). Only ACP-aligned installers can offer the rebate, so be sure to ask your provider if they’re part of the scheme before you sign anything.
The battery must meet technical and quality standards. To be eligible, the battery system needs to:
Have a usable storage capacity between 2 kWh and 28 kWh.
Be on the Clean Energy Council (CEC)’s approved product list.
Be connectable and controllable by third-party equipment—which is essential for Virtual Power Plant (VPP) participation
Come with a 10-year product warranty and guarantee at least 70% usable capacity retention after 10 years
Warrant a minimum energy throughput of 2.8 MWh per 1 kWh of usable capacity installed
Operate in a temperature range of -10°C to 50°C
How Much Money Can You Save with the Solar Battery Rebate
Adding a battery to your rooftop solar can feel expensive, but the NSW rebate for solar battery trims a few thousands off the up-front price and speeds up payback. For a typical 10–15 kWh household battery, the state discount sits around $1,600–$2,400.
Your installer claims Peak Reduction Certificates (PRCs) under the Peak Demand Reduction Scheme and shows the rebate as an instant reduction on your quote—no paperwork for you later.
PRCs (and therefore dollars) scale with usable battery capacity between 2 kWh and 28 kWh. A 13.5 kWh unit typically attracts just under 1,100 PRCs, worth a bit under $2,000 at today’s certificate price.
Connect your battery to an approved Virtual Power Plant (VPP) and you’ll receive another $250–$400. You can claim that a second time after three years if you stay in the program.
What does that mean for your annual bills?
With a battery installed, you can store excess solar power during the day and use it when the sun goes down—when electricity is usually more expensive. That means you rely less on the grid, especially during peak times.
For an average family home, that translates to bill savings of around $1,100 to $1,500 a year, and even more if you use a lot of energy in the evening or have an electric vehicle.
Example savings: what you could pay and save
To give you a clearer picture, here are some example scenarios based on current market prices and average NSW energy use. Keep in mind that actual prices and savings will vary depending on your energy usage, location, installer, and the specific battery brand.
Battery Size (Usable) | Typical Cost | NSW Rebate (Est.) | Estimated Price After Rebate | VPP Bonus | Approx. Annual Bill Savings |
5 kWh (small home) | $6,000 | ~$800 | $5,200 | +$250 | ~$700 |
10 kWh (average family) | $9,500 | ~$1,800 | $7,700 | +$300 | ~$1,200 |
13.5 kWh(popular unit) | $10,000 | ~$2,000 | $8,000 | +$400 | ~$1,500 |
20 kWh (large household) | $14,000 | ~$2,750 | $11,250 | +$400 | ~$2,000 |
28 kWh (maximum rebate) | $19,000 | ~$3,800 | $15,200 | +$400 | ~$2,700 |
If such a full and fixed solar battery system still feels out of reach—whether because of the upfront cost or installation limitations—portable solar generators offer a flexible, more affordable alternative that gets you some of the same benefits.
One option worth considering is the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus Solar Generator (PV 400W). Unlike a wall-mounted battery that stays in one place and requires a certified installer, this unit is plug-and-play and designed to go wherever you need power, whether that’s for home use during outages, weekend camping trips, or charging devices in remote locations.
The DELTA 3 Plus packs over 1 kWh of usable storage, with the ability to expand up to 5 kWh if your needs grow. It delivers enough output to run essentials like a fridge, modem, lights or even power tools, and it charges quickly—under an hour from a wall outlet, or through solar if you’re off-grid.
For anyone who wants peace of mind of energy storage without high upfront investment, this kind of portable solution can be a smart, low-barrier first step.
EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus Solar Generator (PV 400W)
How to Apply for the Solar Battery Rebate
As discussed, you don’t need to deal with any complicated government forms to get the solar battery rebates in NSW, your installer takes care of it for you. You just need to pick an installer who’s partnered with an Accredited Certificate Provider (ACP).
Here’s how to make sure everything goes smoothly:
1. Check if you’re eligible
First, make sure you meet the basic criteria:
You’re an NSW resident or business owner who already has or is installing a grid-connected solar panel system.
You’re installing a new battery with a usable capacity between 2 kWh and 28 kWh.
The battery is on the Clean Energy Council approved list and meets technical requirements.
2. Find an eligible installer
Not all installers can offer the rebate. Make sure you choose one who’s working with an Accredited Certificate Provider (ACP). Ask them directly or check comparison sites and Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) registers for verified providers.
3. Get a few itemised quotes
Request at least two or three quotes that clearly show the NSW battery rebate as a separate line item. This confirms the discount has been factored in and that your installer will handle the rebate process on your behalf.
4. Book your installation
Once you’ve chosen a quote, your installer will ask you to sign the contract and a nomination form, so they can schedule the job and lodge the rebate paperwork with their ACP. You may also need to provide documents to confirm your eligibility, so make sure everything’s sorted upfront to lock in the discount.
5. Complete the installation and compliance checks
Your installer will fit the battery, update your switchboard, and set up the battery management system for third-party (VPP) control. After the job’s done, they’ll give you an installation certificate, warranty paperwork, and a compliance checklist. Keep these documents safe—you may need them later for warranty claims or future rebate programs.
6. (Optional) Join a Virtual Power Plant
To unlock the extra $250–$400 VPP bonus, you’ll need to connect your battery to an approved Virtual Power Plant within 12 months. Your installer or VPP provider can guide you through this step.
What Is the Federal Solar Battery Rebate and Can You Stack It with the NSW Offer?
The Federal Solar Battery Rebate refers to the Australia government’s new Cheaper Home Batteries Program, which has been officially confirmed to kick in on 1 July 2025. It’s set to slice roughly 30% off the installed price of a VPP-ready home battery up to 50 kWh.
Because the discount is delivered through the existing Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), you’ll see it up-front on your invoice—exactly the way the NSW solar battery rebate already works.
How does the Federal Battery Rebate work?
The details are yet to be settled, but here’s a quick overview of what we know so far:
Starts: 1 July 2025
Discount size: Roughly 30% off the installed cost of a VPP-ready battery (based on around $350–$370 per usable kWh)
Who it’s for: Households, small businesses, and community organisations
Battery size: Covers between 5 kWh and 50 kWh of usable capacity
Eligibility: Battery must be on the Clean Energy Council (CEC) approved list, VPP-capable, and installed by a CEC-accredited retailer.
How it’s applied: You don’t need to apply directly—your installer applies the discount through certificates.
The federal scheme will also phase down gradually each year until 2030, so earlier adopters will get the biggest savings.
Can you combine the Federal and NSW Battery Rebates?
Yes, you can! Federal and state officials have stated that the national rebate doesn’t exclude households already receiving a state battery incentive, and vice-versa—as long as your setup meets the eligibility criteria for each scheme.
Installers simply create two sets of certificates:
Peak Reduction Certificates (PRCs) for the NSW rebate
Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) for the federal rebate
Both discounts are applied directly to your quote, so you pay a lower up-front price without needing to claim anything yourself.
How much can you save by stacking the rebates?
Here’s what the combined savings might look like for different system sizes, based on current average battery prices in NSW:
Battery Size (Usable kWh) | Typical Retail Price | NSW Rebate | Federal Rebate (~30%) | Total Discount | Estimated Final Cost |
5 kWh | $6,000 | $800 | $1,800 | $2,600 | $3,400 |
10 kWh | $9,500 | $1,800 | $2,850 | $4,650 | $4,850 |
13.5 kWh | $10,000 | $2,000 | $3,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 |
20 kWh | $14,000 | $2,750 | $4,200 | $6,950 | $7,050 |
By stacking the two rebates, you could save up to 50% off the full price, bringing battery storage within reach for more Aussie homes than ever before.
Conclusion
If you’ve been waiting for the right time to invest in solar battery storage, the solar battery rebate NSW, and the new Federal Solar Rebate could be the nudge you need. With the potential to help you save a decent chunk of money upfront and maximise the value of your solar panels, the rebate is a practical way to future-proof your home and take more control of your energy use. Now that you know what’s on offer, check if you’re eligible, crunch the numbers, and take the next step toward a more energy-efficient lifestyle!
FAQs
Is there a rebate for solar batteries in NSW?
Yes. From 1 November 2024 the NSW Government’s Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS) began offering an up-front discount of about $1,600 to $2,400 on an eligible home or business battery (and compatible solar panel system), with an extra $250–$400 if you let the battery join a virtual power plant (VPP). The saving is built into the installer’s quote rather than paid to you later. On top of that, a new federal Solar Battery Rebate starts 1 July 2025, cutting at least 30% off the installed price nationwide.
What is the $7,000 solar rebate NSW eligibility?
The $7,000 NSW solar energy rebate refers to an old state offer that paid up to $7,000 in Small Scale Technology Certificate (STC)-linked discounts on larger PV systems. That program has closed and no longer accepts new applications. When it was active, homeowners needed to have a taxable income below about $180K and a property value under $3million. Today, you can still reach similar out-of-pocket savings through the federal STC scheme plus NSW incentives such as PDRS discounts.
How much does a solar battery cost in NSW?
Installed prices vary with capacity and brand, but current market surveys show a small 3 kWh battery averages ≈ $4,950, an 8 kWh unit ≈ $10,240 and a popular 13 kWh unit ≈ $15,080 before incentives. Across Australia, most mainstream batteries cost $9,000–$17,000 installed (roughly $1,000–$2,000 per usable kilowatt-hour).