Energy minister Chris Bowen spruiks Labor’s battery election promise.

The federal government has scrambled to the finish line just in time for its $2.3bn Cheaper Home Batteries Program, amending regulations to make official a plan to reshape Australia’s energy grid with the install of one million batteries by 2030.

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Hundreds of homeowners and installers expecting to stack the federal battery rebate with cancelled state schemes have been left in the lurch, launching petitions and scrambling to get their deposits back as they ask the question: is it still worth getting a battery with the federal incentive alone?

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Got a solar battery? Here’s how to ensure it keeps doing its job (and safely) every single day to maximse your electricity bill savings. [Read more…]

With 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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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…]

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…]

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…]

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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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…]