AWestern Sydney family’s experience with a home battery has been highlighted by Energy Minister Chris Bowen as the Australian Government promotes its Cheaper Home Batteries Program.
Mr Bowen shared the story of Deepak and his family, saying they previously paid more than $700 a year on their energy bill and now receive a $500 rebate after installing a battery through the program.
The Australian Government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program began in July 2025 and provides eligible households and small businesses with a discount of around 30 per cent on the upfront cost of installing small-scale batteries connected to new or existing rooftop solar. The discount is delivered through the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme.
The program is designed to help households store solar energy generated during the day and use it when electricity is needed, including during periods of higher demand. The government says greater use of household batteries can also reduce pressure on the electricity system during peak periods.
Mr Bowen said suburban electorates including Chifley, Mitchell and Greenway now have more than 10 per cent of households with a battery installed through the program. The figures were cited in his social media post highlighting the Western Sydney family’s experience.
The government has continued to expand the program since its launch. By December 2025, it said more than 160,000 battery installations had been supported nationally, with the program’s estimated funding increased to $7.2 billion over four years.
The government says the program is intended to reduce the upfront cost of battery installation while helping households make greater use of rooftop solar. However, the financial benefit of installing a battery varies between households depending on factors including electricity use, solar generation, battery size and energy tariffs. The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water advises consumers to consider the costs and potential savings before choosing a system.
Deepak’s experience is being presented by Mr Bowen as an example of how the battery program can affect household energy costs, as more Australian households consider battery storage alongside rooftop solar.
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