Australia has long led the world in rooftop solar adoption. More than 3.6 million Australian households have installed solar panels, taking control of their energy use and cutting their bills along the way. But while solar panels are an excellent first step, the next big opportunity for solar homes is clear: adding a battery.
A home battery allows solar households to store the energy they generate during the day and use it when the sun goes down, rather than drawing power from the grid at night. But that’s only part of the story. As the energy market shifts, and as new technology like real-time pricing and smart automation becomes more accessible, batteries are increasingly unlocking far more value than simple self-consumption.
Here’s why solar households should seriously consider taking the next step and investing in a battery.
1. Use more of your own solar power
Without a battery, most solar households end up exporting much of their solar power back to the grid during the day, often for a relatively low feed-in tariff. Then, at night, they buy electricity from the grid at much higher retail rates. This mismatch between export prices and usage prices means many solar households still have sizable power bills, even though they’re generating plenty of power during the day.
This challenge is becoming even more pronounced in Victoria, where the minimum feed-in tariff (FiT) will be removed from July 2025. That means retailers will no longer be required to pay a set minimum rate for excess solar exports - so what your solar is worth will be entirely up to the retailer. A few years ago, the minimum rate was 10.2c per kWh. Now, without that safety net, many households could end up earning even less for the power they export.
While this change may seem like a step backwards, it can actually open up better opportunities for households using Amber. Rather than being locked into a fixed FiT, Amber gives you access to real-time wholesale prices, meaning you can sell your solar or stored battery energy when it’s most valuable, not just when the sun’s shining. Amber customers with automated batteries are already earning significantly more by exporting during price spikes, instead of settling for flat or retailer-controlled rates.
A battery makes this possible. It allows you to store your excess solar and use it when you need it - typically in the evening and early morning when solar isn’t generating - or export it when prices are high. This increases your solar self-consumption, reduces your reliance on expensive grid power, and helps you make the most of every kilowatt your home produces.
2. Get more protection from rising energy prices
Energy prices in Australia have become increasingly volatile in recent years, driven by a combination of international fuel prices, domestic supply issues, and extreme weather events. A battery gives households a valuable layer of protection against price spikes, because you’re drawing on your stored solar energy rather than buying from the grid at high rates.
And if you’re with a retailer that offers access to wholesale energy prices (rather than fixed or flat rates), the benefits can be even greater. Smart battery automation can charge your battery when wholesale prices are low or even negative - for example, when there’s an oversupply of renewable energy on the grid - and discharge when prices are high, helping you optimise your energy costs day-to-day.
3. Earn money from your battery
Beyond simply saving money, a battery can also allow households to earn money. In some cases, customers are earning thousands of dollars a year from their batteries.
With the right technology in place, batteries can participate in programs like Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) or wholesale energy markets, selling power back to the grid at times of peak demand when prices spike. Instead of only earning a flat feed-in tariff, you can tap into high-value market events that would otherwise be out of reach for individual households.
This ability to buy low, sell high - often fully automated through smart software - is a big reason why batteries are becoming increasingly financially attractive.
4. Access growing government incentives
Governments are also recognising the role that home batteries can play in supporting the grid and accelerating the shift to renewables. As a result, more incentive programs are emerging to help reduce the upfront cost of installing a battery.
The federal government’s new battery rebate, combined with various state-level schemes, is making batteries more accessible to a wider range of households. With payback periods getting shorter, batteries are shifting from a long-term investment to a much more immediate opportunity to reduce bills.
5. Help stabilise the grid and support the energy transition
When lots of households install batteries, they’re not just helping themselves - they’re helping the entire energy system.
Australia’s grid is rapidly changing. On many sunny days, there’s now so much solar generation that grid operators are struggling to balance supply and demand. Batteries help by absorbing excess solar during the day and releasing it when demand rises in the evening, smoothing out the peaks and troughs.
This flexibility becomes even more important as more coal-fired power stations retire and the grid leans more heavily on renewables. Household batteries, operating collectively, can play a critical role in keeping the lights on and supporting a more resilient, reliable, and renewable grid.
6. Gain greater energy independence and peace of mind
For many households, it’s not just about the dollars. A battery provides greater energy independence and resilience. Some systems allow you to continue running key appliances during blackouts, giving you backup power when you need it most.
In an era of rising extreme weather events, power outages, and energy uncertainty, having a battery at home can offer valuable peace of mind.
7. Batteries are getting smarter and simpler
One of the biggest shifts in recent years is how much smarter battery technology has become. Advanced software now allows batteries to automatically respond to real-time market prices, forecasted demand, and weather conditions, optimising performance without the need for manual intervention.
Instead of being a passive storage box on the wall, today’s batteries can actively participate in the energy market on your behalf, helping you maximise savings and earnings while you go about your day.
This combination of automation and transparency is key. You stay in control, but you don’t need to constantly monitor prices or tinker with settings to get the most value from your system.
Next steps
If you already have solar, adding a battery is one of the most effective ways to take full control of your energy use, reduce your bills, and play a more active role in Australia’s renewable energy future.
Thanks to falling battery prices, new government incentives, smarter automation, and more flexible market participation, batteries are no longer just a nice-to-have for tech enthusiasts. They’re fast becoming a practical, financially compelling option for a growing number of Australian households.
As the grid evolves and energy markets continue to shift, batteries will play an even more important role. For solar homes looking to stay ahead of the curve, now is the time to seriously consider whether a battery is the next smart step.
Ready to make your solar work harder?
Reach out to our team about how a battery paired with Amber’s real-time pricing and automation can help you save more, earn more, and take greater control of your energy.
