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Australia's Home Battery Boom Moves From Early Trials to the Mainstream

Rebate-fueled adoption is moving batteries from early trials to everyday use, putting new pressure on virtual power plant offerings.

Overview

  • A national rebate programme is reporting 8,000 home battery applications each week, leveraging an existing network of 9,000 solar installers with 4,500 qualified for batteries.
  • Average system sizes have grown to just over 20kWh, with most households choosing 15–20kWh units as retailers note the market shifting from early adopters to mainstream buyers.
  • Retailers report that more midday solar is being stored, altering price patterns, and some are offering subscription models so customers can save from day one without large upfront costs.
  • Participation in virtual power plants remains commercially challenging due to limited value and integration costs, prompting a shift toward simple, fixed monthly benefits for customers.
  • Policy and industry signals are reinforcing the trend: New South Wales offers extra incentives for VPP participation, Tesla says Australia hosts 10% of its global Powerwall fleet, and officials highlight network and cost-of-living benefits from peak load reduction.