Uptick in region’s home battery uptake

THE number of Ballarat electorate households with a home battery installed is increasing alongside the Federal Government’s roll-out of the Cheaper Home Batteries program.

The initiative is aimed at driving down energy bills and provides about 30 per cent, or about $4000, off the cost of a typical home battery.

Since the program started in July this year, more than 145,000 homes across Australia have taken the next step and installed batteries to store their own solar-generated power, including more than 600 households in Ballarat and 25,000 across Victoria.

“So many people have solar panels on their roofs now. The next logical step is a battery, but for a long time they were simply too expensive,” Ballarat home battery owner Christine Jacksen said.

“With the combination of my solar panels and battery, my electricity costs are now much lower and it’s good to feel you’re doing the right thing by the environment.”

Ballarat Solar Company owner Miles Hingston said that since the Cheaper Home Batteries program began in July, he has seen a clear shift in battery installations.

“It really feels like the next evolution of solar is here, and that’s batteries,” Mr Hingston said.

“Batteries maximise savings, reduce reliance on the grid and help future-proof households against rising energy costs. That’s why we’re seeing such strong uptake locally.”

The latest data shows one in three Australian households now have rooftop solar, but before the federal Cheaper Home Batteries program began, only one in 40 had a battery.

The installation of a battery is estimated to save households with existing rooftop solar up to $1100 off their power bill every year, and those installing both a new solar and battery system could save up to $2300 a year, which is up to 90 per cent of a typical family’s electricity bill.

The Clean Energy Regulator is delivering the program through the existing Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme that has delivered solar subsidies since 2011.

“Australians are voting with their feet when it comes to both solar panels and battery installation,” Member for Ballarat Catherine King said.

“We have more rooftop solar than anywhere else in the world, so it makes sense that our government is supporting people to install batteries and save that sunshine.

“Batteries are good for bills and good for the grid because it means getting more cheap, fast, safe solar energy available in homes night or day, when and where it’s needed.”