Canberra’s Battery Rebate Bids Goodbye

After reaching its installation target, the ACT Government’s Next Generation Energy Storage (Next Gen) program has ended.

Established in 2016, the program had a goal of supporting the installation of 5,000 batteries in homes and businesses throughout the ACT.  Just prior to the program’s closure, the rebate for home batteries was $3,500 or 50% of the  price (excluding GST) – whichever was lowest. For businesses, the incentive was calculated on a case-by-case basis.

“The program has been an overwhelming success, with our local industry growing from four to over 24 battery installers operating in the ACT, and with the ACT now having one of the highest domestic battery densities not only in Australia but in the world,” said ACT Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Shane Rattenbury. “I am proud that Canberra is the climate action capital and home to a thriving and competitive renewable energy sector.”

How much capacity has been installed since the program kicked off isn’t clear. Those with rebate applications already approved need to have their systems installed by 31 March 2023 in order to access it.

Minister Rattenbury is encouraging ACT households to continue to shop around for energy storage solutions.

“With the number of installers now operating in the ACT, Canberrans will be able to continue to access the most competitive prices,” he said.

But “competitive” will still be out of reach for many – and now even more – Canberra households¹.

Could ACT’s Battery Rebate Return?

We heard on the grapevine in mid-December the program had exceeded the 75% annual funding limit. This triggered a requirement for retailers not to enter into any contracted sales without prior written agreement from the Next Gen team.

I contacted the team regarding the annual funding to gain clarification whether the limit was based on calendar or financial year, and if new funding would be made available. I was informed it was financial year and at that stage, no decisions had been made on further funding and to watch this space.

But based on yesterday’s announcement, it seems it won’t return.

A Barer Australian Home Battery Subsidy Cupboard

With the ACT’s battery rebate no longer available and the SA subsidy going the way of the dinosaurs as one of the first renewables-related actions of the then still-freshly-minted Malinauskas Government in July last year, all that’s left is in Australia is:

• VIC: up to $2,950 rebate
• NT: up to a maximum of $6,000 subsidy

New South Wales has the Empowering Homes Program, but that’s just an interest-free loan.

Further summary details on these programs with links to more information can be found on SQ’s rebates and subsidies page; along with info on incentives for solar power systems and electric vehicles across Australia.

While there’s no federal support available for home batteries, there is certainly plenty of call for it. Results from a poll of more than 2,000 Australians late last year revealed the vast majority of respondents believed the feds should expand the national rooftop solar subsidy to make it more affordable for Australians to install a solar battery.

The Albanese Government hasn’t indicated any sort of appetite for such an arrangement as yet; maintaining its focus on supporting community and large-scale energy storage.