2025 Solar Energy Guide: Best Solar Rebates & Battery Systems in Australia - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: agileenergy
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 17, 2025, 08:44:43 am
content: Hi everyone,I wanted to open a discussion around something a lot of Aussies are thinking about right now:Is 2025 the best time to go solar in Australia?With energy prices continuing to rise and government rebates still available in most states, it feels like a golden opportunity to make the switch — but I'd love to hear what others think or have experienced recently.Some points I’m curious about:What are the current solar rebates in NSW, QLD, VIC, or WA?Has anyone installed a battery storage system like Sungrow, Tesla Powerwall, or BYD? Are they worth the extra cost?What's the average return on investment (ROI) you’ve seen for a 6.6kW or 10kW system?Any tips on choosing the right installer or avoiding cheap, low-quality setups?If you've installed solar recently (residential or commercial), share your experience! If you're still deciding, ask away — happy to help answer questions or share what I’ve learned.Looking forward to your thoughtsCheers!

author: brucehoult
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2025, 10:52:01 am
content: Our host (in Sydney) recently switched to an electricity plan which gives three hours of $0.00/kWh electricity a day, from 11 AM to 2 PM, prime solar generation time.So whatever your daily needs are ... 10, 20, 30 kWh a day, you can get that much battery and charge them for free using OTHER PEOPLE's paid-for solar panels, without spending any money on that stuff yourself.I think normal house supply is 15kW per phase, so sucking 20 or 30 kWh in three hours is no problem even using a single phase, and taking three hours to charge it is C/3 which is just fine for battery life.Current LFP battery prices are $500/kWh or less even for packaged retail brands like Pecron and less in a more DIY form.https://portablebatteries.com.au/collections/extra-batteries/products/ep3000-48vAssuming it's totally dead after the rated 3500 cycles (which is actually to 80%) that's 15c/kWh lifetime cost to pump electricity in and out of the battery, which is less than half the normal price of electricity.And that's being very pessimistic on price and on lifetime. It's actually better than that and will only get better as batteries get cheaper and electricity gets more expensive.Yeah, you can invest in solar panels to do that charging, but when you can use other people's panels for free?I've got the main unit for the above expansion battery, which also has a 3kWh battery. You can add up to 4 batteries for a total of 15kWh, for a nice little small system for a cottage or something. I think I'll add one expansion battery to mine later this year.https://portablebatteries.com.au/products/pecron-e3600lfpUnfortunately here in NZ I only get one free hour of power a day. I can charge the 3kWh unit by around 50%-55% of capacity in an hour, depending on what the output load is at the time. That's from a standard 10A socket. If you have a 30A wall socket and cable the unit can tell the difference and charge at 3200W.This is just playing around level. If you want a bigger system with professional install then you can charge a lot more battery a lot faster, with lower per kWh initial cost.I'm just saying there is no reason to do worse than this -- and if I had 3 hours of free power a day I'd be getting a battery only system, no solar panels of my own. Just a petrol generator (which are cheap as) for multi-day power outages.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2025, 11:58:25 am
content: But you also need to factor in that the free electricity is likely not to last forever. Somebody needs to pay for the grid in the end. It is a gamble.Regarding a generator: get one that runs on 'cooking gas' like butane / propane. Liquid fuels like diesel and gasoline tend to go stale (and algea may grow) when stored for a long time. Especially when ethanol has been added. Additives exist the mitigate fuel going stale, but gas doesn't have that problem. I noticed the existence of gas generators a few days ago and I think it is an excellent idea.

author: brucehoult
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2025, 02:47:42 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on July 17, 2025, 11:58:25 amWhat's the worst that can happen? You add your own solar panels in a few years time, when they're cheaper than today.But the trend in all sunny countries is that the wholesale price of electricity in peak solar generation times is heading to zero or negative. I really don't see that changing.Whether a particular country or region has retailers with plans that reflect the wholesale price with some kind of time of day price variations is a different question.Today in NZ, even the big commercial solar generator projects are co-locating huge batteries so that they can time-shift their own generation. Here's one that just opened near me, purely a battery time-shift operation right now, they're going to add solar panels.200MWh of batteries, 100MW generation (C/2). The attached 130MW solar farm is planned to start construction later this year.https://www.meridianenergy.co.nz/new-projects/ruakaka-energy-parkQuoteGas has definite advantages in being able to attach a huge bottle and just leave it on, possibly with the generator starting automatically if your battery gets low (as the Ecoflow one below can do). And it does't gum up the carb or fuel lines if not used for a long time.But it's rare for small and cheap generators to have a gas option. Many or most can be converted but that can cost a lot, especially if you're only talking about a US$500 2kW generator in the first place.The cheapest dual fuel I know of is the Ecoflow smart generator at AU$2400 / US$1600. Three times the price of a similar (though not so smart, and not electric start) petrol generator.https://www.ryda.com.au/ecoflow-smart-generator-dual-fuelAvoiding ethanol is thankfully very easy still here in NZ. Only a couple of companies do it, and often only to get a 98 octane fuel.Fuel going stale shouldn't be an issue when you use the same fuel as your lawnmower. Just make sure to run the generator to empty if it's only used infrequently. And maybe give it a run every three months whether you need it or not.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2025, 08:54:39 am
content: Quote from: brucehoult on July 18, 2025, 02:47:42 amIt HAS to change. Otherwise it makes no sense to invest in more solar power. But solar power is needed to transition away from fossil fuels. So there will be a movement to also make use of the electricity at peak generation times (probably in the form of mass storage and hydrogen production).

author: brucehoult
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2025, 09:37:47 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on July 19, 2025, 08:54:39 amThere is no law of nature that we have to transition away from fossil fuels. There is certainly no law of nature that solar power is the way, or the only way, to do it, or that there is some logical necessity to invest in it.It's entirely possible that some places have already invested in solar power past the point of economic rationality, driven by government interventions such as subsidies or rebates.The Far North district of NZ -- which I live right on the boundary of  -- gets 103% of its annual electricity usage from geothermal power. It imports some electricity at peak times, but is exporting to other regions most of the day. Unlike solar and wind, it is an excellent baseload generation type.Nuclear is also an excellent option, as is finally being recognised again after decades of illogical alarmism (quite possibly sponsored, as many things have been, by our geopolitical enemies). my road entrance is in Whangarei district, if I go 200m to the right or 1000m to the left then I'm in Far North district

author: Someone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 19, 2025, 10:56:08 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on July 19, 2025, 08:54:39 amIt done not HAVE to change, while the levelised cost of solar (or other close to zero marginal cost plants such as wind) production is much cheaper than storage (or dispatchable plants that store their input energy) then it is entirely expected that there will continue to be significant peaks and troughs in the wholesale price, right down to zero or negative cost periods. Without compromising reliability. Spilling production is not a failure or economic problem that has to be eliminated.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 25, 2025, 03:23:30 am
content: Quote from: brucehoult on July 18, 2025, 02:47:42 amAs I'm the one in question here, there was no gamble involved, I'm just taking advantage of what is available.Like if my government is going to piss away my children's financial future with a battery scheme, then I'm going to at least take advantage of it.I'm looking at upgrading from 25kW (which isn't enough) to 75kWh battery.As for how long the free power window will last, everyones solar panels won't magically disappear overnight, and nor will other sources magically appear.Nuclear will not happen here, and even if it got the go-head tomorrow it would be more than a decade away.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 25, 2025, 03:29:42 am
content: Quote from: agileenergy on July 17, 2025, 08:44:43 amYou are a commercial company posting fake questions for engagement, you can drop the act.

author: agileenergy
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 13, 2025, 09:53:42 am
content: In 2025, Australia continues to offer attractive solar rebates and battery incentives that make switching to solar more affordable.1. Federal Solar Rebates (STCs) – Small-scale Technology Certificates reduce the upfront cost of eligible solar systems. The value depends on your location and system size.2. Large-scale Renewable Energy Target (LGCs) – For bigger commercial installations, LGCs help lower investment costs over time.3. State-Based Rebates & Schemes –Victoria: Solar Homes Program offers rebates for panels and interest-free loans for batteries.New South Wales: Various regional battery trial incentives.South Australia: Virtual Power Plant and battery subsidy programs.Queensland: Solar battery grants for eligible households and businesses.Best Battery Systems in 2025Tesla Powerwall 3 – Higher storage capacity and efficiency.Sungrow SBR Series – Modular design, good for expanding.BYD Battery-Box Premium – Reliable for both home and commercial use.Pro tip: Combining a high-efficiency solar system with a quality battery can reduce your grid reliance by up to 80%, depending on your usage and location.If you’re considering a system, companies likeREMOVEDcan help you navigate rebates, design the right setup, and calculate your payback period.

author: brucehoult
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2025, 10:21:12 am
content: Quote from: agileenergy on August 13, 2025, 09:53:42 amStupidity, as with much that Australian governments do.If solar is worth doing then it's worth doing without a subsidy and will happen by itself as real costs drop.If solar is not worth doing then the subsidy is just pissing taxpayer money away.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 14, 2025, 12:16:24 am
content: Quote from: agileenergy on August 13, 2025, 09:53:42 amThis forum is not a commercial promotion platform.

author: mmpb
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 02, 2025, 02:33:20 am
content: Hey, really timely question! I think 2025 is definitely a strong year to consider solar in Australia, especially with energy prices still rising and most states offering some form of rebate. Battery storage like Tesla Powerwall or BYD can be worth it if you want more energy independence, but the ROI really depends on your household usage and system size.For anyone looking for guidance on choosing reliable installers and getting the right setup, solar installation in Australiais a great resource—they offer advice on system sizing, quality brands, and helping you make the most of rebates.It’s definitely worth doing some research and talking to experienced installers before making the jump!EDIT by moderator: Commercial spam link removed. This user is a commercial/SEO spamming company.

author: brucehoult
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2025, 06:33:39 am
content: Quote from: mmpb on September 02, 2025, 02:33:20 amThe rebate / subsidy is very bad economically. If the economics make sense (and they are getting better and better every year) then people will do it organically. It can make perfect sense to hold off a couple of years for cheaper panels and/or batteries, and subsidies distort that.I got a 3kWh battery unit (1800W charger, 3600W inverter, 2x 1200W MPPTs of solar input I haven't used yet). In July and August I saved 20% of my electricity bill simply by time-shifting.Today I've taken delivery of a 3kWh expansion battery (https://portablebatteries.com.au/products/ep3000-48vbut I bought in NZ) and tomorrow I'm picking up 6x JA Solar bifacial half-cell 440W panels (JAM54D40) for NZ$129 (AU$116) plus tax each.There are no subsidies in NZ but I figure $200 LONGi 440W panels will generate more than $200 of electricity in a year, so at $129 these ones might be closer to 8 months payback for the panels themselves, 1.5 years including mounting and cables. The vendor claims the LONGi are slightly better in NZ overcast winter conditions, but based on the spec sheet it surely can't be by as much as the price difference! Also I'm ground mounting at an adjustable angle (I'm 35.52º S pretty similar to Canberra and plan to use 70º in winter, 20º summer, 45º for a month either side of the equinoxes if I can be bothered) which means the bifacials are going to pick up a LOT of diffuse light from the rear in overcast/rainy winter conditions, probably outweighing any slight advantage of the LONGi in a flat-against-a-roof installation)I'll report back how it goes later, but I'm expecting to be essentially off-grid in summer and possibly all the time I don't need heat pump heating (late October to late April). There should be power to burn for cooling in December-February. In 2024 I averaged 14kWh/day usage. I have one free hour of electricity a day, during which time I can (and do) put 1.5kWh into the battery, 3kWh into hot water heating (it's actually enough), wash clothes and/or dishes (both heat their own water) so I almost always grab 4.5kWh in that hour, and up to I think 8kWh maximum so far. It's worth paying the $1.00 plus GST per day for the grid for that :-) As well as for top up in winter.

author: rteodor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2025, 06:44:31 am
content: Quote from: brucehoult on September 02, 2025, 06:33:39 amI'm not speaking in government favor but there might be other reasons: high energy prices affect economy and can create social problems. And after what happened in the last few years they might consider such subsidies as strategic investment (in this case they can be considered as lazy and ignorant as the grid becomes unstable).And there are also people that are too lazy or don't care or consider it green hype. Others are economically blind to a ROI long enough into the future as so many forget about inflation. And there are others that wait for prices to come down even more, which in my opinion is a fallacy: they won't get much lower than now (except maybe for batteries) and they could increase in the future or quality will drop.Quote from: brucehoult on September 02, 2025, 06:33:39 amSo you will have 6KWh of storage. Without that 'happy hour energy' I can tell you right away it would be not enough with 14KWh/day consumption. And its not quite free after all if you pay 1 dollar for the grid.I started with 5KWh of storage and upgraded to 28KWh and I still need the grid about 3..4 months per year with about 50% less consumption. But I think winters over here with snow and endless clouds are not like in NZ. I'm curious how your new arrangement will work.

author: brucehoult
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2025, 08:47:41 am
content: Quote from: rteodor on September 09, 2025, 06:44:31 amWon't be enough for *what*?To go 100% off grid all year? Of course not. That's the not the aim. The aim is to make good savings from a minimal investment.QuoteThat NZ$1 (US$0.60) + GST means I don't have to over-invest in panels and batteries in order to get through winter days, or a bad week. It's not even all that expensive considering it gives me that "happy hour" in which I always grab at least 4.5kWh and often a good bit more if there are clothes or dishes to wash.QuoteI hate to think what that cost, even extremely DIY! I see "standard EV vehicle" 96V 300Ah advertised for US$4000. I see other places offering 28.8kWh batteries for US$12k. That's 3 years or 10 years of my traditional electricity bills right there, before even getting started on MPPT controllers, inverters, panels ...My experiments how that 6kWh is enough to power my important always-on base load -- computers, internet, LED lighting, and fridge -- for 36 hours. Running my heat pump at maximum in addition to those reduces it to about 4 hours., but in the real world 6-8 hours. In the summer I need aircon from about 1 PM until 9 PM (a bit after sunset, due to thermal inertia of the house). I'm quite confident that 6kWh will power the aircon for a couple of hours after the end of usable sunlight and then everything else until morning. The big question, in summer, will be whether 2640W of panels will be enough to run on average 800W-1000W of load during the afternoon (200W in the morning) AND charge 6kWh of battery at the same time. In summer.I've had half the panels out lying on the lawn, just propped up to 12º to 15º on a chair and a couple of recycling bins, for the last five days. Based on it being half the panels, still short days before the spring equinox, and cloudy/rainy spring weather it looks as if the full complement, angled more optimally (actually this angle would be optimal in summer), with days 3 hours longer than now it should be pretty close. Close enough for the "happy hour" to make up the difference.Actually the biggest take-away so far is how much time "1320W" of panels are producing less than half of the 1200W the MPPT controller can take. There is a LOT of time at 300W-400W when cumulous clouds are in the way, or 100W when it's raining. It does get up to 1000W-1180W a lot of the time too. With both 3-panel strings operating that will be 600W-800W when it's cloudy and 200W when raining.Panels are SO CHEAP now, relative to everything else, that it might be a good upgrade to double up each string with a set of 3 more panels in parallel. Potential power will go unused when it's really sunny, but that doesn't matter. "5280W" (rated) of panels costs a little bit less than the 3kWh expansion battery! More, including mounting, of course.

author: rteodor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2025, 11:16:39 am
content: Quote from: brucehoult on September 09, 2025, 08:47:41 amThen you are wiser than me.Quote from: brucehoult on September 09, 2025, 08:47:41 amIt was (sort of) extreme DIY but with high quality components so I also hate to even start to compute how much it cost. Most of the construction was after pandemic (a.k.a public communication catastrophy) when components were hard to get and therefore even more expensive. But my goal was different: to be able to pass the longest winter night without worry. That storage was useful last winter when we had an unusually long blackout of about 15 hours and panels were covered with snow.

author: brucehoult
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 09, 2025, 07:50:39 pm
content: Quote from: rteodor on September 09, 2025, 11:16:39 am6kWh runs my essentials: computers, internet, fridge, LED lighting for 36 hours. No heating/cooling, which is usually by far my biggest user of electricity.I also have a $400 2kW petrol generator which as it uses the same fuel as my lawnmower (or motorcycle for that matter) always has a few litres of fresh fuel available. That's expensive electricity (I estimate US$1.20/kWh) but it's there in extreme situations once or twice a year. I wouldn't want to have to use it every week.I have cooking by gas stovetop. Astoundingly, a 9 kg bottle (~US$20 to refill) lasts me about two years of cooking! In case you think I'm weird (rather than simply living alone) my uncle and aunt who do a lot of heavy traditional cooking than me (e.g. boiling big pots of potatoes) and frequently have their children and grandchildren staying, tell me a 9 KG bottle lasts them 8 months.I also have heating by wood fire, with a winter's worth of wood in storage. I don't normally use that every day, but it's always available. If the temperature is over 10C (as it always is in the winter day time, and even a lot of winter nights) then it's simply too powerful. So I'm mostly using my underpowered 4kW (heat) portable air conditioner which uses 900W of electricity and can comfortably maintain a ±10C difference to outside. maybe 14C if it's not windy.It's certainly possible that the electricity could go off soon after I go to sleep on a winter night and I don't notice before that small battery is empty. In which case I'd have to light the wood fire for warmth and crank up the generator for other things. If it's actually cold (3 or 4 is the coldest it gets here) then I'm getting up to put more wood on the fire every 3 hours anyway.So it's not a perfect solution. But it's better than all the people who don't have a battery at all! And that includes all the people with grid-tied solar systems (some very big and expensive) who 95%+ also don't have a battery, and don't even have solar power in the daytime when the grid is off.