{"id":91875,"date":"2025-05-09T08:23:42","date_gmt":"2025-05-08T22:53:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/?p=91875"},"modified":"2025-05-12T17:46:46","modified_gmt":"2025-05-12T08:16:46","slug":"battery-rebate-fine-print","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/battery-rebate-fine-print\/","title":{"rendered":"Rushing Into The Battery Rebate: Careful, We Haven’t Seen The Fine Print"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"ALabor’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.
\n<\/p>\n

Retrospective Rebate Risks<\/h2>\n

The scheme is only set to kick off July 1<\/a>, but Labor has promised that it will retrospectively apply to batteries installed since the plan was first announced during the election … provided you don’t turn the battery on<\/a>.<\/p>\n

One of the many questions yet to be precisely defined is what “turning it on” exactly means: is it the first time the battery is being properly used, or does it even include a standard test by the installer to see if the battery is actually working?<\/p>\n

We don’t know the fine detail you’ll need to get a firm quote, but that’s not stopping brave retailers from making exceptional<\/em> offers.<\/p>\n

The operative word means either they’re overconfident, desperate for cashflow or relying on fine print exclusions to sign up unsuspecting or excited customers.<\/p>\n

The devil is always in the detail, so if you go early, you or your solar retailer need to accept some risk.<\/p>\n

Labor’s plan is to present an exposure draft of the new regulations and offer two weeks consultation during May or June. Once the details are locked in, Bowen or potentially a new energy minister can sign off and we’re all good to go for July 1.<\/p>\n

The program is based on the use of Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs), using the administrative infrastructure, digital platforms and mental furniture of the existing solar panel rebate we all know and love.<\/p>\n

With no legislative change, there’s no risk of diabolical delays because nobody in the Senate gets to apply any ideology. A simple change in regulation, signed by a newly minted minister, is all that’s needed.<\/p>\n

\"Politician

Labor ran hard during the election on the promise of cheaper batteries. Contrary to what this ad featuring Labor politician Mark Dreyfus claims, the amount saved could be higher or lower depending on the battery.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Industry Is Getting Ready<\/h2>\n

If you are keen to try and get a battery installed before July 1 and still claim the rebate, the industry is working out solutions.<\/p>\n

Sigenergy has already organised a software fix so their “all-in-one” hybrid system can be physically assembled with the battery in place, but the battery itself can be locked out.<\/p>\n

Other hybrids can have the battery physically disconnected or isolated, however it will vary by model or brand as to whether the software activation can be managed remotely, or if an electrician needs to attend the site after July 1st to reconfigure whatever is needed.<\/p>\n

Formbay \u2013 one of the key platforms for managing STC claims \u2013 has opened the door to start \u201ccreating\u201d battery jobs and collecting site data alongside the existing processes needed to claim STCs for solar. They’re getting ahead of the game by offering both claims in parallel.<\/p>\n

Your installer can do all the work, but shouldn’t commission the battery<\/em> system or submit a claim yet.<\/p>\n

There will be double the usual administration but it should work like this:<\/p>\n