- Date:
- 15 Dec 2021
Victorians have embraced renewable energy at home, installing solar PV systems in record numbers. Some of these households are ready to take the next step and invest in an energy storage system to make the most of the solar electricity generated throughout the day.
Battery technology has developed rapidly in the last few years, giving more options to solar households connected to the grid to store their own renewable energy in a battery. Households can use solar-generated electricity at a later time to reduce their bills, charge their battery at times of the day when grid electricity is cheaper, or install a system designed to provide backup during a power outage.
Household battery systems are expected to become more affordable in the next few years as tech advances help bring prices down. Until then installing a battery system might not make financial sense to all households, with a system often unlikely to pay for itself before the end of its warranty period.
For more detailed information and specific eligibility criteria visit our solar battery loan page.
If you meet the criteria we encourage you to consider adding a battery to your solar PV system. Use the information in Section 5: Working out the costs and benefits of a solar battery system, to work out the financial equation on solar and batteries at your house. Solar PV with batteries doesn’t suit all households just yet, but it might be a perfect combination for you, and could set you up for significant savings on energy bills for many years to come.
Once a battery system is installed, households may want to consider joining an Aggregation program or a Virtual Power Plant trial (VPP) , where a large number of rooftop solar panels and battery storage systems are linked, using smart technology to meet local demand for grid electricity.
The Solar Battery Buyers Guide has been produced in conjunction with non- profit organisation Renew to help you plan the right system for your home. Read the guide, do your homework and inform yourself before contacting installers for quotes or signing a contract.
Section 1: Why install a solar battery system at home?
With the rising cost of electricity, many Victorian households are adding a battery to supplement their solar PV system. Consider whether a battery system is right for you now, or down the track.
Section 2: What incentives are available to Victorians for solar battery systems?
Adding a battery to an existing solar PV system is a significant investment, and for some households the outlay might be more than what you save on energy bills over the life of the battery.
Section 3: Solar battery systems explained
Find out how a solar battery works with your solar PV system to store energy for household use.
Section 4: Solar battery systems and components
The installation of solar battery systems has become simpler with the development of lithium-ion battery chemistry and streamlined, modular storage systems.
Section 5: Working out the costs and benefits of a solar battery system
A battery system can help some solar households cut their energy bills even further, if the estimated savings on electricity bills are higher than the upfront cost of the system.
Section 6: Planning your solar battery system
It is important to understand the impact that system size and price can have on payback time.
Section 7: Finding the right retailer and steps to installation
A good retailer can help you plan a battery, or solar and battery system to slash your energy bills.
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