The solar battery incentive came into effect this week, giving NSW households the opportunity to save thousands of dollars on their electricity bills. Residents in the area have seen tangible results, such as Darby Carr from Tempe who installed solar panels and a battery on his home, and his electricity bill has dropped significantly.

Darby Carr’s Experience

Carr proudly spoke of his experience, saying: “We’ve loved it ever since, it was the best thing we’ve ever done.” Before the panels were installed, his average winter bill was between $450 and $500. After installation, it was between $40 and $90.

The cost of batteries

A solar battery costs between $11,400 and $15,500, providing around 13 kilowatt hours of storage capacity. Thanks to the new program, more residents can experience the same reduction in their electricity bills, with the NSW Government offering rebates for battery installations.

Government rebate program

Starting Friday, residents can get rebates on battery installations if they already have solar panels installed. They can also get combined rebates on solar panels and battery installations. The program offers rebates to approved suppliers, which are then passed on to homeowners.

Rebates range from $770 to $1,150 for a 6.5-kilowatt-hour battery, and $1,600 to $2,400 for a 13.5-kilowatt-hour battery. But these rebates only apply to batteries with storage capacity of 2 to 28 kilowatts.

Future goals

The government hopes residents will install solar batteries at reduced prices to take the strain off the power grid. Energy Minister Penny Sharp said the program is open to anyone who wants to switch to solar.

Experts’ views

While solar batteries are still expensive to install even with rebates, experts say more batteries on the market could help residents see a quicker return on their investment. “There’s a whole range of high-quality batteries coming to market that are much cheaper,” said Gavin Gilchrist of the energy company.

The new incentive program aims to boost solar power use in NSW, providing economic and environmental benefits to residents in the region. The program encourages battery installations and is hoped to improve energy sustainability in the future.

Source.