Phase Shift: Buying a Battery? Don’t Be a Tightarse

An illustration of a man thinking about money and another man thinking of happinessWith the federal battery rebate kicking in from July 1, demand for home battery quotes has gone ballistic.

It’s not hard to see why. Thousands of dollars in subsidies. Rising grid prices. More households with solar. And batteries finally starting to feel like part of the modern home, not a science experiment bolted to the garage wall.

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Home Battery Rebate Regrets: Quotes And Deposits

A sad home battery buyer looking at a quote

With state home battery incentives suddenly vanishing or slashed and federal rebate ‘stackability’ issues remaining, what now in terms of quotes already accepted and deposits taken? [Read more…]

Phase Shift: Boycott The Products, Not The Progress

It’s okay to boycott Tesla products.

If Elon Musk’s tweets make your teeth itch, if his politics repulse you, or if his general vibe just gives you the ick, fair enough. Buying something is emotional and if seeing a Tesla logo in your garage would make you miserable, you shouldn’t buy one. [Read more…]

It’s (Home Battery) Payback Time

Home battery payback

Home battery payback times: they are a’changin’ thanks to the upcoming government rebate. Discover how long simple payback can be achieved in your state/territory as part of determining if installing a solar battery is worth it for you. [Read more…]

Installing A Battery Before The Rebate Starts? Follow These Rules.


I’m sitting at the back of what we call the solarcoaster, the front carriage has disappeared over the edge, and it’s weighed down by a tonne of batteries.

As the whole train accelerates, the sales department whoops, the customers giggle and the installers scream. If you are one of these thrill-seekers wanting to take a ride on the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program before its official start date of July 1, here’s how to do it without losing your lunch.

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Official Home Battery Rebate Rules Revealed

Australian government battery rebate

The first official set of written intended eligibility criteria for Australia’s Cheaper Home Batteries program was published yesterday. Here’s what we learned. [Read more…]

Bound in Red Tape: NSW Tries to Fix Its Battery Rebate

The NSW Government has been seeking advice on improving the Peak Demand Reduction Scheme, as it works to harmonise the state battery incentive in anticipation of a federal rebate. Here’s how the bureaucrats are working to fix a myriad of problems, and what installers want to see changed.

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Phase Shift: The Real Winner of The Election? Batteries.

SolarQuotes founder finn Peacock clutches his head and points at a home battery systemLabor’s back in power — and now the battery rebate is locked in.

From July 1, Australians will be able to knock about $4,000 off a home battery. The goal? A million new batteries by 2030. Based on the number of quote requests we’ve seen at SolarQuotes — up 5x since election night — this is going to move the needle fast.

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Rushing Into The Battery Rebate: Careful, We Haven’t Seen The Fine Print

A home battery with warning labelsLabor’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program only begins in July, but a promise that Australians can get a battery now and claim the rebate later has triggered a rush on installers. There’s just one problem: the rebate technically doesn’t exist yet, and neither does the fine print. Here’s why you should tread carefully.
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The Best Batteries To Buy With Labor’s Rebate (And What You’ll Save)

A battery with the Labor party logoLabor’s election win means its $2.3bn Cheaper Home Batteries Program campaign promise is set to become reality. But which are the best brands to get under this new battery rebate, and how big are the savings?

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