Australia's Cheaper Home Batteries Program Passes 600,000 Systems

Luca Schuuring Published 12 Nov 2026 · 2 min read

Aerial view of suburban streets with rows of houses and rooftops

Australia's federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program has passed 600,000 home battery systems sold, according to energy minister Chris Bowen. The minister did not give a capacity figure, so the headline gigawatt-hour number is an estimate.

What was reported

Energy-Storage.News reported the milestone on 12 November. Bowen gave the number of systems but no installed capacity. Using the programme's average system size of about 28 kWh, the publication estimates the 600,000 systems add up to roughly 16.8 GWh. That is its own calculation, not an official figure.

The estimate compares with about 14 GWh at 507,000 installations, the total announced in August. The programme gives a 30% discount on the upfront cost of a battery connected to rooftop solar and is run by the Clean Energy Regulator.

How quickly it grew

In March 2026, with more than 250,000 installations and 6.3 GWh delivered, the scheme was reportedly under review as the government looked for budget savings. Options discussed included an early wind-up, a smaller discount or limits on system size. The programme went ahead. By 6 May, Bowen put the total at 380,712 systems and 10.7 GWh.

Our earlier report on Australian installations in October shows the monthly pace behind these totals. We could not confirm from the sources we opened how many of the 600,000 systems are already commissioned and how many are still pending registration.

What it means for UK households

Britain has no scheme like this, so the Australian numbers say little about what a British household will pay or save. They do show how fast a market can grow when the upfront price falls and a large share of homes already have solar panels.

If you are weighing up a battery at home, the UK country guide covers the rules and support that apply here, and the Australia guide explains how the Australian scheme works for households there.

Sources

Written by

Luca Schuuring

Energy Editor at HomeBattery.com

Covers home battery systems, solar integration and energy storage trends for HomeBattery.com. Helping readers choose the right setup for their home with clear, practical guidance.

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