Solar Battery Cost Australia 2026

Written by Jacob, Last reviewed 2026. This guide is for informational purposes only — see methodology.

A home battery in Australia costs roughly $1,000 to $1,500 per kilowatt-hour of usable capacity, installed. That puts a typical 10kWh battery at $10,000 to $15,000 before any incentives. After the federal Cheaper Home Batteries discount, expect to pay $7,500 to $12,500 out-of-pocket.

Battery pricing has been falling steadily. Five years ago, the same 10kWh system might have cost $15,000 to $20,000. Better lithium-ion chemistry, larger production volumes, and more competition have all pushed prices down. But they're still the biggest line item in any solar-plus-storage decision.

Battery Pricing by Capacity

Here are typical installed price ranges for common battery sizes, before and after the federal Cheaper Home Batteries discount (based on mid-2026 STC factors)^[1]:

• 5kWh battery: $6,000 - $10,000 (after discount: $4,500 - $8,000)
• 10kWh battery: $10,000 - $15,000 (after discount: $7,500 - $12,500)
• 13.5kWh battery: $12,000 - $17,000 (after discount: $9,000 - $14,000)
• 20kWh battery: $16,000 - $24,000 (after discount: $12,000 - $20,000 — the Cheaper Home Batteries discount is tapered for capacities above 14kWh, reducing the per-kWh discount)

Breakdown: Where the Cost Goes

About 50-60% of the cost is the battery unit itself. The rest covers the inverter (or hybrid inverter if replacing an existing one), installation labour, cabling, mounting, and electrical work. If you're retrofitting a battery to an existing solar system, you may need an inverter upgrade, which adds $1,000 to $2,500.

The Cheaper Home Batteries Discount

The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program provides roughly a 30% discount through STCs^[2]. The discount depends on when you install. In mid-2026, the STC factor varies by capacity: 6.8 per kWh for the first 14kWh, then a lower factor for capacity between 14kWh and 28kWh, and so on^[1]. So a 10kWh battery earns around 68 STCs (at ~$37 each, about $2,500 off). A 20kWh battery earns fewer STCs per kWh overall, reducing the average discount.

Most customers receive the discount through their installer or retailer, either as an upfront reduction or a rebate after installation. You can also claim STCs directly through the REC Registry if you do not assign the STC right to your installer.

5kWh vs 10kWh vs 13.5kWh — Which Makes Sense?

A 5kWh battery is relatively affordable but limited. It covers basic evening usage for a small household but won't get you through a full evening peak. A 10kWh battery is the sweet spot for most families. A 13.5kWh battery (like the Tesla Powerwall) provides more buffer and pairs well with time-of-use tariffs.

Bigger isn't always better. If you don't generate enough excess solar to charge the battery, you'll end up drawing from the grid at peak rates anyway. Size the battery to your typical daily excess, not your total usage.

Battery + Solar Package Pricing

Buying solar and a battery together usually costs less than two separate installations, because the inverter and labour are shared. A 6.6kW solar system plus a 10kWh battery typically runs $15,000 to $22,000 before incentives. After all federal and state discounts, the out-of-pocket often lands between $10,000 and $15,000^[3].

Our solar and battery package guide covers combined pricing in detail.

This guide is for informational purposes only. Battery prices vary by brand, installer, and location. The Cheaper Home Batteries discount changes over time. Always get itemised quotes from multiple installers before purchasing.