The program has already proved hugely successful with more than 1,680 batteries installed in homes, businesses and community groups in Blair since 1 July 2025, one of the highest rates of take-up in Queensland.
In the neighbouring electorate of Wright, which takes in the Lockyer Valley and Scenic Rim, demand was even higher with more than 3,000 batteries installed, the highest uptake in Queensland and second highest in the country.
In just over six months, the Cheaper Home Batteries program has helped more than 200,000 households and small businesses across the country cut their power bills and energy use, with around three-quarters of installations in suburban and regional areas, like Ipswich, the Somerset Region and Karana Downs area.
Stored rooftop solar via batteries is good for the grid, playing an increasingly important role in smoothing out evening demand and reducing peak pricing, which benefits all bill payers.
Data from the Australian Energy Market Commission has found increased home battery uptake could deliver at least a three per cent reduction in bills annually across the energy system as it evens out expensive peaks.
Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said that the high rate of take-up in his electorate and surrounds showed that locals were embracing solar home batteries and renewable energy because it was good for their hip pocket.
“We want more local households to have access to batteries that are good for bills and good for the grid because it means more cheap, fast, safe solar energy is available in our homes night or day, when and where it’s needed,” Mr Neumann said.
“Our hugely popular Cheaper Homes Batteries program has doubled the battery capacity of our grid, which is good for household power bills and good for the entire energy system as well.
“That’s why the Albanese Labor Government has announced this funding boost to extend the program by four years out to 2030, so more people can access the battery discount.
“The discount is saving households with existing rooftop solar up to $1,100 off their power bill every year, and those installing a new solar and battery system could save up to $2,300 a year, which is up to 90 per cent of a typical family electricity bill.
“Local families are showing they want to get on with the job of reducing bills and emissions to help ease the cost of living, and we want to help as many as possible to do just that.”
The 3.5 GWh of battery storage delivered since 1 July 2025 has increased home battery capacity in Australia to almost twice the level before the program – with half of these households also installing solar panels for the first time or upgrading existing systems.
Alongside increased support for the program, from 1 May 2026, the Government will make adjustments to ensure the around 30 per cent discount is encouraging households to get the right sized battery for their needs and the program remains sustainable.
Under this tiered system, support will be staggered in line with the size of the battery, with support moderating per kWh for medium and larger batteries. The first 50kWh of a system will continue to be eligible for support for battery systems sized up to 100kWh.
For more information and to apply for the battery discount, visit the Cheaper Home Batteries program website: www.dcceew.gov.au/energy/programs/cheaper-home-batteries
The rate of the upfront discount under the program is dependent on the number of certificates each system creates under the Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme. For systems installed on or after 1 May 2026, the general number of certificates each kWh of a battery creates will lower from 8.4 to 6.8.
The general rate of certificates per kWh will decline again from 1 January 2027 and each six months after that, taking into account expected further declines in battery costs and value to consumers.
The Australian Energy Market Commission has found that a household that installs a 10kW rooftop solar system can typically save around $1,000 annually on their electricity costs. If they install a 15kWh battery as well, they can save an additional $600 annually. If a household has electrified their vehicle, installing solar saves them around $1,200 annually. If they install a battery as well, they can save an additional $900 annually.
