Thousands more WA households will soon be able to store their own solar energy and reduce power bills, thanks to an expanded battery rebate scheme jointly funded by the Cook and Albanese Governments.
The $337 million WA Household Battery Rebate, announced earlier this year as WA’s first-ever household battery scheme, will now be combined with the Federal Government’s new $2.3 billion Cheaper Home Batteries program, expanding the reach of the initiative to around 100,000 households, five times more than originally planned.
Under the new joint scheme:
- Synergy customers will be eligible for rebates of up to $5,000.
- Horizon Power customers in regional WA will be able to access rebates of up to $7,500.
- Households earning under $210,000 per year will also be eligible for no-interest loans of up to $10,000 to help with upfront costs, with $200 million in loans to be made available.
Applications for rebates and loans are set to open on July 1st.
Storing solar for when it’s needed
The aim? To help more WA homes store the renewable energy they generate during the day and use it when the sun isn’t shining, or sell it back to the grid through Virtual Power Plants (VPPs).
Households will be paid attractive feed-in tariffs for energy shared through VPPs, turning excess stored solar into both financial returns and greater energy security for the State.
Federal Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said WA’s high uptake of rooftop solar made this a smart move:
“West Australia’s household solar uptake is world-leading and getting more batteries soaking up our sunshine will be good for bills and good for the grid,” he said. “It means more West Aussies will have access to cheap, fast and safe solar energy in their homes and businesses night or day, when they need it.”
Premier Roger Cook described the scheme as key to WA’s clean energy future:
“My government is committed to securing Western Australia’s energy future and growing our renewables sector,” he said.
“Empowering households to play a role in decarbonising our State by selling their excess renewable energy back to the grid, while supporting the energy needs of the entire community, is a great example of how we can work together to secure our energy future.”
He also highlighted the economic opportunities, saying, “This will do more than lower emissions. It may also support local battery manufacturing, which is crucial to my vision for a future that’s Made in WA.”
Big savings for households
WA households stand to save up to $1,500 per year by combining solar panels with battery storage, according to Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson.
“Households are expected to save up to $1,500 per year through installing a battery and solar panels,” she said.
“Combined with help with the upfront costs through our no-interest loan, and even more potential savings through a VPP, our scheme means huge benefits for households.”
Beyond the financial perks, the batteries will help balance the State’s energy grid, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and increase the share of renewables.
“Importantly, it will support our renewable energy transition,” Minister Sanderson said. “At the forefront of new solutions, these batteries will bolster our energy grids and increase the share of renewables.”
Applications open July 1st
Applications for the WA Household Battery Rebate and no-interest loans will open on July 1st.
More information is available at the official WA Residential Battery Scheme.
