Solar battery rebate - Updated December 13th 2025
The WA battery rebate (and loan)
We withdraw our support for the WA rebate a few months ago.
A $5,000 election promise became a $1,300 subsidy with a LOT of strings attached.
It is no surprise that the latest figures show that less than 40% of people are taking up the WA rebate.
All of them are taking up the Federal battery subsidy...in fact too many are, so more on that further down.
Why the WA battery rebate is a bad deal for you.
It's not so much that there is a 2 year obligation to join a VPP.
It's that hidden away in the fine print is an enduring right for Synergy to control your system forever.
I have read a response from a Synergy representative to this clause saying that it is highly unlikely they would ever exercise their right.
If it's so unlikely then why don't they just remove the clause? They won't, so read into that what you may.
Remove your enduring grip on people's assets and maybe more people will take up the rebate.
We certainly would consider embracing the WA subsidy again if they did, as we would be off their hook as well.
The Federal battery subsidy.
The $2.3 billion allocated for the Cheaper Home Batteries Scheme will run out by May/June 2026.
It was meant to expire in 2030 but people have been installing much larger batteries than expected.
The Government has announced (13th December 2025) that they are putting another $5 billion into the scheme.
But they are radically changing how the subsidy will operate.
It's quite a complicated formula, so to make things easier, I've created the calculator below.
You can select from a range of popular batteries, or just enter your own value.
Just remember if entering your own that you need to enter the 'usable' storage amount not the rated amount.
e.g. The most popular battery in Australia is by Sigenergy.
Their batteries are rated at 8.1kWh each module, but the "usable" is 7.8kWh.
What the Federal Government subsidy changes will mean to buyers.
Smaller batteries are heavily favoured by the changes that come into effect from May 1st 2026.
For example, a huge and cheap 41.94kWh FOXESS battery installed 30th April 2026 earned 352 STCs, worth $13,024 in subsidy.
That same battery installed the next day will earn 166 STCs, worth $6,142. A drop of $6,882 or 53%
On the other hand, a 'more normal sized', top quality, 15.6kWh Sigenergy battery in April earns 131 STCs worth $4,847
On May 1st 2026 it will earn 101 STCs worth $3,737. A drop of $1,110 or 23%.
Who really needs anything larger than that? A McMansion might but most normal people don't.
The primary driver behind why people were installing larger batteries than they need, even with quality brands
was that the subsidy is only available once. It still is, which is a shame. Under these new rules, adding a battery
later should be available for subsidy just like extra solar panels are.
I believe the change will drive more people towards smaller, but higher quality batteries, rather than big and cheap.
Value will still be important but when the price difference is small enough, most people move to better quality.
Have you missed the boat already?
For 2025 yes.
For 2026 to get the full rate available that ends April 30th, you will need to order very soon.
Most installers are booked three to four months in advance.
At time of writing (13th December 2025) we have just 8 install 'slots' remaining in March but April is reasonably clear.
Get in touch if you want a quote, but our install teams aren't doing any double storey houses.
They take too long to run cables, or install panels, often meaning we lose a day compared to a single storey house.
For those who have stumbled on this page, perhaps for the calculator, just to say we only install in Perth, WA.
Solar4Ever have been selling and installing solar in Perth, WA since 2011.
or email
This review was written by Andrew MacKeith, Solar4Ever service manager since 2011.
We withdraw our support for the WA rebate a few months ago.
A $5,000 election promise became a $1,300 subsidy with a LOT of strings attached.
It is no surprise that the latest figures show that less than 40% of people are taking up the WA rebate.
All of them are taking up the Federal battery subsidy...in fact too many are, so more on that further down.
Why the WA battery rebate is a bad deal for you.
It's not so much that there is a 2 year obligation to join a VPP.
It's that hidden away in the fine print is an enduring right for Synergy to control your system forever.
I have read a response from a Synergy representative to this clause saying that it is highly unlikely they would ever exercise their right.
If it's so unlikely then why don't they just remove the clause? They won't, so read into that what you may.
Remove your enduring grip on people's assets and maybe more people will take up the rebate.
We certainly would consider embracing the WA subsidy again if they did, as we would be off their hook as well.
The Federal battery subsidy.
The $2.3 billion allocated for the Cheaper Home Batteries Scheme will run out by May/June 2026.
It was meant to expire in 2030 but people have been installing much larger batteries than expected.
The Government has announced (13th December 2025) that they are putting another $5 billion into the scheme.
But they are radically changing how the subsidy will operate.
It's quite a complicated formula, so to make things easier, I've created the calculator below.
You can select from a range of popular batteries, or just enter your own value.
Just remember if entering your own that you need to enter the 'usable' storage amount not the rated amount.
e.g. The most popular battery in Australia is by Sigenergy.
Their batteries are rated at 8.1kWh each module, but the "usable" is 7.8kWh.
Battery STC Calculator
What the Federal Government subsidy changes will mean to buyers.
Smaller batteries are heavily favoured by the changes that come into effect from May 1st 2026.
For example, a huge and cheap 41.94kWh FOXESS battery installed 30th April 2026 earned 352 STCs, worth $13,024 in subsidy.
That same battery installed the next day will earn 166 STCs, worth $6,142. A drop of $6,882 or 53%
On the other hand, a 'more normal sized', top quality, 15.6kWh Sigenergy battery in April earns 131 STCs worth $4,847
On May 1st 2026 it will earn 101 STCs worth $3,737. A drop of $1,110 or 23%.
Who really needs anything larger than that? A McMansion might but most normal people don't.
The primary driver behind why people were installing larger batteries than they need, even with quality brands
was that the subsidy is only available once. It still is, which is a shame. Under these new rules, adding a battery
later should be available for subsidy just like extra solar panels are.
I believe the change will drive more people towards smaller, but higher quality batteries, rather than big and cheap.
Value will still be important but when the price difference is small enough, most people move to better quality.
Have you missed the boat already?
For 2025 yes.
For 2026 to get the full rate available that ends April 30th, you will need to order very soon.
Most installers are booked three to four months in advance.
At time of writing (13th December 2025) we have just 8 install 'slots' remaining in March but April is reasonably clear.
Get in touch if you want a quote, but our install teams aren't doing any double storey houses.
They take too long to run cables, or install panels, often meaning we lose a day compared to a single storey house.
For those who have stumbled on this page, perhaps for the calculator, just to say we only install in Perth, WA.
Solar4Ever have been selling and installing solar in Perth, WA since 2011.
or email
This review was written by Andrew MacKeith, Solar4Ever service manager since 2011.