What is the SA Home Battery Scheme?

Posted on 02 September 2019

What is the SA Home Battery Scheme?

The SA Home Battery Scheme is a State Government subsidy which helps homeowners to pay for the installation of home battery systems.

The Scheme is now available to 40,000 households in the state, with all South Australian’s who have households on the grid given the opportunity to access a share of $100 million in State Government subsidies. An additional $100 million has also been provided by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation.

The subsidy is calculated on the kilowatt hour capacity of the battery you choose to purchase. Finance is also available through peer-to-peer RateSetter to help households pay for the balance of the subsidised battery and new or additional solar panels, if required.

In addition, to assist low-income households who wish to access the Scheme, Energy Concession Holders are eligible for a higher subsidy.

To claim the subsidy, an approved battery system needs to be installed by a System Provider who is qualified under the Scheme.

What is a home battery system?

A home battery system stores excess energy collected from your solar panels during the day and uses it once the sun has disappeared. You can pair it with new or existing solar roof panels.

This means households can save money on their energy bills by drawing less energy from the grid. It also means less pressure and demand is being put the network at peak times, lowering energy prices for everyone in SA.

It is important to realise that not all battery systems provide backup power. If you want a home battery system that provides uninterrupted electricity, for example in the event of a blackout, Solar Power Direct can help you figure out which system is best for you.

What do I get in the SA Home Battery Scheme?

A subsidy is a sum of money given to an industry to reduce the cost of a product or service. Unlike a rebate, where you receive a partial refund on the purchase of a product.

When you come to Solar power Direct and accept a quote for an eligible home battery system, we will provide you with a link to the Australian peer-to-peer lender RateSetter website where the subsidy will be applied. Here you can apply for finance if required.

If you don’t have access to a computer, this can also be done over the phone.

What does the SA Home Battery Scheme mean for me?

There are a variety of factors that impact how much money you’ll end up saving by capitalising on the SA Home Battery Scheme. These include how much energy your household uses, what time of day you use this energy, the capacity of the battery you choose and the output of your new or current solar system.

You should consider whether the expected energy savings over the life of the battery will cover the cost of purchase for you and your home.

Home Battery Scheme subsidy levels:
Energy concession holder: $600.00 per kilowatt hour (kWh)
All other households: $500.00 per kilowatt hour (kWh)

For example, a battery with 5kWh of storage could receive a $2500 subsidy or $3000 for Energy Concession holders. The subsidy will vary depending on the size of the battery but is capped at a maximum of $6,000 per battery installed for everyone.

Is a home battery right for me?

At Solar Power Direct we’re excited by the prospect of battery storage, what it can mean for individuals, state power and the environment as a whole. However, there are some important things to consider before making an investment in a battery for your home.

Here are some important points to think about:

  • How much electricity do you typically use? How large is your house and what appliances do you want to run from your battery?
  • The total cost of the battery system (including installation and maintenance costs) you are interested in purchasing. How long will it take to recoup those costs from your expected energy savings?
  • Certain pre-existing solar systems work with certain battery systems. If you already have a solar system you can speak to Solar Power Direct about which system will work best for you.
  • Adding a battery may affect any feed-in tariff you currently receive, at Solar Power Direct we may be able to walk you through this part of the process.

As you can see, the cost of a home battery system varies depending on your circumstance. However, as a rough guide, the cost of a small battery can start from $4,400 and a large battery can start from $9,000, including installation.

Do I need to own my home to take advantage of the SA Home Battery Scheme?

No. But you will have to gain consent from the homeowner and be able to provide this upon request. However, the most important thing to consider in this instance is you cannot remove the battery system if you choose to move out of the property.

Approved retailers

The retailer you choose to for your home battery must be on the approved list to purchase under the scheme. Approved retailers make this whole process easy for you and will help walk you through the steps. Luckily for you, Solar Power Direct is a trusted and approved retailer and are happy to help.

Energy independence with Solar Power Direct

At Solar Power Direct we’re happy to be able to assist you with your home’s energy independence. When electricity is at peak demand, during mornings and evenings, having a home battery system can really help your household.

Solar Power Direct is a proud member of the Smart Energy Council, working towards a safe climate and a strong renewable economy.