If you are a homeowner in Adelaide with solar panels installed on your roof, you should take a moment to consider why you’re exporting cheap solar electricity in the daytime while paying premium prices for electricity at night.

This guide will provide you with clear and concise information on the solar battery home programs in South Australia that are addressing this issue. Created to give households an affordable, practical and productive way to buy batteries to store their solar energy. Identifying who qualifies for them, where to find them, and which Adelaide based businesses offer assistance with these programs.

What is the Cheaper Home Batteries Program?

The Cheaper Home Batteries Program is an initiative from the Government of South Australia created to reduce the cost of purchasing and installing a home solar battery.

The Cheaper Home Batteries Program is a point-of-sale subsidy, which means you receive the subsidy before paying for your system instead of trying to claim the subsidy after the fact. Making it one of the most efficient and cost-effective low-cost solar battery programs currently offered in Australia.

Cheaper Home Batteries Program Availability

For many homeowners in Adelaide, the Cheaper Home Batteries Program represents the ability to effectively obtain a battery device without the high cost. Enabling them to maximise their solar investment financially. The substantial savings on battery storage can be broken down into three cost saving stages:

• First layer: The Federal Government rebate reduces the cost of batteries.
• Second layer: If you register with your local energy provider’s Virtual Power Plant program, you receive incentives.
• Third layer: Approved suppliers and installers manage pricing and ensure compliance.

All three of these opportunities together allow for significant savings on the cost of installing a solar battery system as compared to retail installation. Hence, solar battery systems are often called “cheap” solar batteries versus the traditional term of “rebate”.

Eligibility Requirements Explained

The rules for eligibility are not complicated; however, they do need to be checked accurately. In order to qualify for this program, typically, you will need to satisfy the following rules:

• You must be an owner/occupier of a property in South Australia.
• You must have either installed solar panels, or you are going to be installing solar panels.
• The battery system must have been approved through this program.
• The installer must be an approved provider.
• You must register for the Virtual Power Plant program.

Income and Concessions

Some eligibility criteria relate to household income thresholds or concession status. These thresholds can shift often. Therefore, it is necessary to check your eligibility through an approved provider before proceeding with your application.

What Does a Virtual Power Plant Mean for Homeowners?

A Virtual Power Plant (VPP) is a collection of interconnected batteries in the homes of homeowners. Your battery will first provide power to your home. However, if (at peak periods) there is an increased demand for energy on the grid, a portion of your stored energy may be released into the grid in order to stabilise the supply and demand on the grid. 

Households receive a discount up-front when purchasing a battery system, potential for ongoing bill credits, and access to approved battery pricing through the program in exchange for being committed to a particular electricity retailer for a specified time.

How SunEnergy Guides You Through the Entire Application Process

Many homeowners can feel lost during the application process for the Cheaper Home Batteries Program. However, there are many layers of eligibility checks, end-user technical specifications, pre-approved product lists, and VPP requirements that need to be done correctly to ensure the homeowner is eligible for the subsidy. To alleviate confusion, SunEnergy guides customers through every step in the application process.

Eligibility Assessment

To begin, Sunenergy examines the owner’s property, current solar system, and residential details to determine eligibility. This includes analysis of income or concession factors when applicable. Customers will know before they commit if they are eligible.

Selection of System and Battery

Battery systems that are eligible under the program must be from an approved supplier. SunEnergy analyses your energy usage, required storage, and whether the battery selected can connect to a VPP and provides customers with suitable battery options.

Rather than focusing on pushing one product, SunEnergy ensures the size and capability of the battery are a good match for the homeowner’s actual electricity usage.

Completing the Subsidy and VPP Application

For many homeowners, the application for the subsidy and the VPP is a very complex and challenging part of the process. SunEnergy completes all the required paperwork for the program and applies for all subsidies and VPPs on behalf of its customers. Ensuring the discount is correctly applied at installation and all eligibility steps are completed.

You will not need to submit another claim if you apply for a rebate, as all claims for the rebate will be submitted by the approved installer.

Installation & Connecting

SunEnergy will have an accredited installer install your batteries. Throughout the process ensuring connection to both your VPP and solar power system. 

Support After Installation

After your installation has been completed, you will be able to contact SunEnergy with any enquiries related to your system, performance checks, and ongoing support. This is important to consider, as the investment in a battery is long-term rather than just a one-time purchase.

What Will a Battery Cost Under This Program?

Because of the variables involved (size of battery, level of eligibility and your household’s energy usage patterns) there is no single price for a battery under the Cheaper Home Batteries Program.

The main benefit of the Cheaper Home Batteries Program is that it can significantly reduce the upfront cost of installing a battery. For many homeowners in Adelaide, this will eliminate the need to separately finance a solar battery. If financing is required, SunEnergy offers structured financing options to match monthly repayments to expected savings from energy usage.

Payback in South Australia

The payback period will depend on your evening electricity usage, current grid pricing and the size of the battery you have installed, relative to your home.

In most instances, payback periods in South Australia are within the ten-year warranty period for batteries, which is one of the strongest indicators that under the right conditions, a battery will provide an economic benefit.

Check Your Eligibility with SunEnergy

Programs like the Cheaper Home Batteries Program are an incredible option for homeowners in Adelaide. However, access is contingent upon meeting eligibility criteria, appropriately selecting systems and executing the application process properly.

SunEnergy is a full-service provider. Helping you meet all the requirements from the initial eligibility verification through to the installation and connection, resulting in household’s obtaining the maximum incentive available accurately.
If you would like to learn more about eligibility requirements for the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, or how much the battery cost will be for your home, contact SunEnergy today.