The short answer [headline] is yes. However, the long answer is three solar battery rebate levels apply to homeowners & businesses in Western Australia—Federal, state and manufacturer rebates. Use this guide to determine what solar battery rebates are available and the likelihood of additional solar battery rebates in the future.
Contents
Key points
- Three rebate levels exist: Federal, State and Manufacturer
- Manufacturer rebates improve battery uptake in 2023
- Price ÷ Capacity: Normalise battery price as cost per/kWh value
- Solar battery rebates are available in WA for selected batteries
Battery rebates exist in various Australian regions because of who is offering the subsidy to stimulate the uptake in certain areas. Where Australia’s national interest is required, such as a global obligation goal to meet net-zero carbon emissions from energy generation, customers can expect a Federal rebate structure such as that involving Small Technology Certificates for sustainable embedded generation devices (solar).
However, different states and territories have unique demands that often further encourage solar and battery adoption on top of that which may be made available by the Federal government. State-based solar battery rebate schemes in South Australia and Victoria provide an example of additional State requirements to boost a rapid adoption of these technologies to arrest alternative issues that could be present now or inevitable in the future.
But when neither the Federal nor State levels recognise an urge for adoption, sometimes manufacturers can provide the stimulation required to enhance the appeal. Regardless of the solar battery rebates available, the best calculation every consumer should know when shopping for solar batteries is obtaining the cost per/kWh with or without a subsidy and determining value from there.
Federal
No federal government solar battery rebates exist. The only federal government rebates are for clean energy power generation devices like solar panels. Solar batteries are considered energy storage devices and work to complement the utilisation of solar-generated energy. Integrating an oversized solar array and battery system from the start is a great way to validate an increased STC rebate greater than the 1.33 inverter oversizing threshold.
For example, A 6.6 kW solar energy system limited by a 5 kW inverter can be improved to 10 kW array capacity under the STC solar rebate scheme when utilising a DC-coupled solar battery. Even though the cost is more likely to offset the additional array capacity, incorporating a DC-coupled battery with a hybrid solar and battery inverter substantially increases generation capacity (kWh) from the solar component and unlocks further STCs (solar rebate). Effectively, the system (depending on design) can become 10 kW of solar array capacity with storage function limited by 5kW AC output power. Where certain grid limitations exist (restricted by inverter size), incorporating a battery in this circumstance improves system generation to approximately 50 kWh per/day annual average vs. 30 kWh (6.6 kW and no battery).
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State
State-based solar battery rebates are the least likely to occur in Western Australia. Other states/territories support solar battery rebate-type schemes. However, this is primarily due to significant deficiencies in their local region where supporting the cost of battery uptake is a more cost-effective solution and an option to meet specific renewable energy targets.
Western Australia doesn’t share the same issues as other Australian states, and therefore, the most unlikely solar battery rebate is a state-initiated scheme. A slightly different story exists for electrical vehicle charging and the infrastructure required to support local demand.
Manufacturer
In Western Australia, manufacture-initiated solar battery rebates are proving to be a successful driver in the uptake of solar battery options. The drawback is there is only manufacturer-aligned consistency limiting choice.
Table of battery rebates: WA
It seems empty on all levels of initiatives when compared to alternative Australian states. Even though varied manufacturer-level rebates/offers have come and gone throughout 2023 (Eg, Sonnen $1000 Exp 31/08/23), although minimal, manufacturer-initiated rebates stimulate uptake from a consumer perspective if neither level of government is supporting Western Australia’s solar battery adoption.
| Rebate Level | Amount | Limit | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|
Federal | n/a | n/a | n/a |
State | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Manufacturer: Tesla | $750 | unlimited: per each unit | 31/12/2023 |
Manufacturer: | TBA | TBA | TBA |
The question arises: will a solar battery rebate on a government level exist in the future? As time lingers, it appears less likely than likely, with adoption rates improving from existing solar customers looking to bolster additional energy security from over a decade of consistent energy price increases.
Unless there is an increased urgency to meet international policy (federal) or an unmanageable deficiency on the Western Power network (state) that only batteries can solve, manufacturer-initiated solar battery rebates are the next best incentive to spur uptake.
In the case of Tesla’s $750 Powerwall rebate (available in Western Australia), adoption rates have never been more bullish, meaning that sometimes all it takes is just a fraction more incentive for enhanced appeal.
How to determine real battery value
Understanding the installed cost per/kWh normalises most battery costs for the primary purpose of peak-shaving (continued energy saving where solar-generated power is insufficient, cloudy days, nights, etc.). However, additional features such as off-grid and blackout protection require more in-depth comparisons.
95% of battery purchasers in Perth, Western Australia, will consider a solar battery for the primary purpose of peak-shaving. With such a sparse difference in battery investment outlay ranging from $5,000 to $20,000+, it’s necessary to normalise the cost on an energy density unit level before buying. Mainly because what often appears to be the cheapest battery calculates to be the most expensive with a relative cost per/kWh value (your energy saving potential).
Price ÷ Capacity (useable)
Battery A
Cost: $5,990- 5 kWh storage/ 4.79 kWh (useable)
- 5 kW output
- AC coupled
- $5,990 ÷ 4.79 kWh
- $1250 per kWh
Battery B
Cost $13,990- 13.5 kWh storage (useable)
- 5 kWh output
- AC coupled
- $13,990 ÷ 13.5 kWh
- $1036 per kWh
The significantly lower cost battery option, exhausted in less than one hour at full utilisation, presents a cost 25% greater than a relative battery of increased energy density while offering potentially fewer features. Features are subjective in value, and this exercise aims to determine the relative cost per/watt for peak shaving.
Are you looking to take advantage of the current solar battery rebates available in Western Australia? We can assist as a manufacturer-approved reseller for secure warranty and rebate eligibility. Contact sales support ›
