Home battery rebate gets major boost as demand for solar storage surges

Queensland Labor will tip a further $6 million into the state’s home battery rebate, boosting the scheme’s budget from $10 million to $16 million to meet surging demand for discounted rooftop solar storage.

The Miles government said on Monday that the up to $4,000 Battery Booster rebate has been a “huge success,” with more than 1,400 households so far granted conditional approval through the scheme – more than half of which (52%) are low income households.

The rebates, which are means tested, offer thousands of dollars off the price of an approved battery system of 6 kilowatt hours (kWh), or more, for households with a new or existing solar system of at least 5kW.

Households on an annual taxable income of less than $66,667 can get $4,000 cash back, while households with a combined annual household taxable income of $180,000 can apply for a $3,000 rebate.

The battery rebate adds to the state’s Climate Smart Energy Savers program, which offers between $300-$1,000 cash back on a range of appliances with energy-efficiency ratings of 4-stars or better.

That program was doubled from $22 million to $44 million due to its popularity in 2023, again with 54% of the total rebate fund issued to low-income households.

The push to push to drive home battery uptake, and to reduce household energy bills, comes as Queensland heads to the polls in October with cost of living high on the public agenda.

“We’re determined to assist Queenslanders with living costs in both the short and long term, and these programs aim to do both,” said state energy minister Mick de Brenni in a statement on Monday.

“These programs allow low-to-middle income families to have more control over their energy usage, and allow for savings all year round.

“These programs are not only assisting to put ongoing downward pressure on electricity prices for households, but they’re also helping Queensland reach its emissions reduction target of 75% below 2005 levels by 2035,” de Brenni said.

Queensland Conservation Council senior campaigner, Stephanie Gray, says government initiatives that promote the uptake solar, batteries and energy efficient appliances can tackle high cost of living and climate change at the same time.

“Increasing the energy efficiency of Queensland homes is a simple way to slash power bills, bring down emissions and reduce stress on the grid at peak times.

“We know from Climate Council research that Queenslanders could save more than $800 per year just from swapping out gas hot water for a solar hot water system.”