With electricity prices rising across Australia especially in Queensland and New South Wales, more families are asking the same question:

“Is a solar battery actually worth it?”

The short answer?
For many homes in QLD and NSW, yes! But your savings depend on your usage, feed-in tariff, and how much solar you produce.

In this guide, we break down the real numbers:

• How much a battery saves

• Payback periods

• Rebates

• Blackout protection

• Differences between QLD and NSW

• Who gets the best return on investment

Whether you’re adding a battery to your existing solar system or installing a full hybrid setup, this guide will help you make the right call.

Why More Australian Homes Are Choosing Batteries

Solar panels alone save you money during the day, but at night you’re still buying electricity from the grid.

A battery changes that. It lets you:

• use your own solar energy after sunset,

• reduce your power bills even further, and

• keep your home powered during outages.

And in states like QLD and NSW where feed-in tariffs have dropped, electricity costs are rising, and storms frequently knock out power, batteries offer both financial benefits and peace of mind.

How a Solar Battery Saves You Money

There are three main ways a battery boosts savings:

1. Using solar power at night instead of buying from the grid

Grid electricity in QLD/NSW averages:

• 30–40c per kWh (higher during peak evening hours)

But feed-in tariffs (what you earn for selling excess solar) are often only:

• 5–10c per kWh

So instead of selling your solar for 8c and buying electricity back for 35c, a battery lets you store that energy and avoid the higher cost.

That’s the core saving.

2. Protecting you from rising power prices

Power prices in QLD and NSW have risen significantly in recent years.

A battery acts like long-term insurance.
The more power prices rise, the more valuable your stored energy becomes.

3. Keeping your home running during blackouts

QLD and NSW both experience regular outages due to:

• storms

• flood seasons

• heatwaves

• aging grid infrastructure

A battery provides:

• fridge and freezer protection

• lighting

• WiFi

• medical equipment support

• power for essential appliances

For many families, this alone makes a battery “worth it”.

How Much Does a Solar Battery Cost in Australia?

On average:

$9,000 – $18,000

Depending on size, brand, installation, and hybrid inverter requirements.

Popular sizes:

• 10kWh (most common for homes)

• 13.5kWh Tesla Powerwall

• 15–20kWh for large families or EV homes

Premium brands (like Tesla) cost more but offer longer warranties and deeper backup capability.

How Much Can You Save With a Battery?

Your annual savings depend on:

✔ how much solar you generate

✔ how much energy you use at night

✔ your feed-in tariff

✔ electricity rates in your area

✔ whether you charge from the grid during off-peak

Let’s break down typical numbers for QLD and NSW.

Real Savings for Queensland Homes

QLD has strong sunlight and high solar output. Ideal battery territory.

• Average QLD home uses 18–26 kWh/day

• Evening consumption is usually 8–14 kWh

With a 10–13kWh battery, most QLD homes can power the entire evening + part of the night using stored solar.

Estimated savings in QLD:

$1,200 – $2,400 per year
(depending on usage and system size)

Payback period in QLD:

6–10 years

Homes with high air-conditioning usage typically benefit the most.

Real Savings for NSW Homes

NSW power prices are higher and more volatile — which actually increases the value of battery storage.

However, solar output is slightly lower than QLD, especially in winter.

• Average NSW home uses 17–24 kWh/day

• Evening consumption: 7–12 kWh

Estimated savings in NSW:

$1,300 – $2,600 per year
(NSW has higher electricity rates = higher savings per kWh stored)

Payback period in NSW:

7–10 years

Homes on peak/shoulder/off-peak tariffs benefit significantly.

How Solar Feed-In Tariffs Impact Battery Value

This is the most important factor.

Feed-in tariffs used to be above 20c.
Now many QLD + NSW homeowners get:

5–10c per kWh

So if you export 10kWh/day of excess solar, you only earn:
$0.50 – $1.00 per day

Store that same 10kWh in a battery and use it at night, and you avoid:
$3 – $4 per day

This is why batteries are becoming increasingly worthwhile.

Is a Battery Worth It for You? (Quick Test)

A battery is likely worth it if you say YES to any of these:

✔ You live in QLD or NSW

✔ You use power in the evenings

✔ Your feed-in tariff is under 10c

✔ You have regular blackouts

✔ You have an electric vehicle

✔ You plan to stay in your home for > 5 years

✔ You want energy independence

If you say YES to 3 or more, a battery is almost certainly a smart investment.

Battery Rebates in QLD & NSW

While national STCs help reduce solar system costs, batteries themselves have limited rebates, but state programs often update annually.

Queensland:

Occasional battery incentives via local councils and energy retailers.
QLD also benefits from high solar output, improving payback.

New South Wales:

Some NSW households qualify for:

• Interest-free loans

• Virtual Power Plant (VPP) programs

• Battery incentives through energy retailers

These programs can reduce battery costs significantly.

Battery Payback Time: The Real Numbers

Here’s a simplified example for both states:

10kWh Battery

Cost installed: $11,000
Savings per year (average QLD/NSW home): $1,500 – $2,000

Payback:

6–9 years

Battery warranty is typically 10 years, so most homeowners break even before warranty ends — meaning free energy for the remaining years.

If electricity prices continue rising (likely), payback becomes even faster.

Who Gets the Fastest Payback?

🔥 Homes with high evening usage

🔥 Homes with premium evening tariffs

🔥 Families with EVs

🔥 Homes with 6.6kW+ solar systems

🔥 Areas with frequent outages

🔥 Homes earning low feed-in tariffs

These homeowners often see payback in 5–7 years.

Who Might Not Need a Battery Yet?

A battery may not be urgent if:

• your feed-in tariff is still high

• your night usage is very low

• you’re planning to move soon

• your solar system is too small to charge a battery

In these cases, upgrading panels first might be smarter.

So… Is a Solar Battery Worth It in QLD and NSW?

YES! For most homes, especially with today's electricity prices.

Batteries offer:
✔ lower bills
✔ blackout protection
✔ long-term savings
✔ energy independence
✔ increased home value
✔ future EV readiness

QLD + NSW homeowners see some of the best battery returns in Australia, thanks to high grid prices, strong solar output, and low export rates.

Thinking About Adding a Battery?

At Powered By Solar, we design, install, and support hybrid systems across Queensland and New South Wales using trusted brands like:

• Tesla Powerwall

• Sigenery

• Sungrow

• and more

We help you calculate the exact payback for your home, based on your bill, usage, and solar system.

Take the Next Step with Powered By Solar

At Powered By Solar, we’re here to make switching to solar simple, smart, and stress-free.

From solar panels to full battery-ready packages, we design a system that fits your home and future energy needs.

Ready to take control of your energy?

Contact Powered By Solar today for a personalised battery assessment and fast quote.