The Cheaper Home Batteries Program can take around 30% off the cost of a home battery. But the rules changed on 1 May 2026, and the rebate now drops every six months. This guide explains how the program works, what changed, and how to get the most from it.
What is the Cheaper Home Batteries Program?
The Cheaper Home Batteries Program is a federal government scheme that began on 1 July 2025. It makes solar batteries cheaper for households, small businesses and community groups.
You get the discount upfront. Your installer claims it for you, so it comes off your invoice. You don’t have to wait for a refund.
The discount comes from small-scale technology certificates, known as STCs. Your rebate is worked out like this:
Feed-in tariffs, the credit you get for sending solar power to the grid, keep falling. Many households now save more by storing their solar power and using it at night than by exporting it.
The program has driven a surge in installations:
What changed on 1 May 2026?
In December 2025, the government raised the program’s funding from $2.3 billion to an estimated $7.2 billion over four years. It aims to help more than 2 million households install a battery by 2030.
01. The STC Factor drops more often
The STC Factor decides how many certificates your battery earns. It now falls twice a year, not once. The government says this keeps the discount near 30% as battery prices fall.
The factor is 6.8 for May to December 2026. By 2030 it falls to 2.1. Your discount depends on the factor on the day your battery is installed.
02. Bigger batteries get a smaller rebate per kWh
The rebate now tapers as battery size goes up:
| Battery size | Share of the STC Factor you receive |
|---|---|
| Up to 14 kWh | 100% |
| Over 14 up to 28 kWh | 60% |
| Over 28 up to 50 kWh | 15% |
The program still supports batteries up to 100 kWh. Only the way the discount is calculated has changed.
Solar Choice puts the current rebate at about $252 per usable kWh. That assumes an STC price of $37. STC prices move, so treat these as estimates.
| Battery size | Estimated rebate (May to Dec 2026) |
|---|---|
| 10 kWh | About $2,520 |
| 14 kWh | About $3,530 |
| 20 kWh | About $4,430 |
A 20 kWh battery has about 43% more capacity than a 14 kWh battery. Its rebate is only about 25% higher. That gap is the taper at work.
The new rules reward right-sized batteries. Here’s what we suggest:
No. The program runs until 2030. The rebate falls over time, though.
No. It’s taken off your battery price at the time of purchase.
Yes. The battery can be added to an existing solar system.
Probably. The STC Factor drops every six months, so the rebate for the same battery usually shrinks over time. STC prices can also move.
No. Above 14 kWh, each extra kWh earns a smaller rebate. Pick a size that matches how you use power.
The Cheaper Home Batteries Program has made home batteries affordable for many more households. It now favours batteries sized to your needs, and the rebate shrinks every six months. Get a quote based on your actual power use before you decide.
Want help sizing a battery for your home? Talk to the Polygon Energy team for advice based on your usage.