Australia Surpasses 19,000 Home Battery Installations in First Month of Federal Subsidy

Australia's federal government's $2.3 billion Cheaper Home Batteries subsidy program, launched in July 2025, has triggered an unprecedented surge in home battery installations, with more than 19,000 systems registered in the first month alone. This uptake is set to more than triple 2024's total installations, potentially reaching 220,000 systems within 12 months, with households in New South Wales and South Australia leading the trend. The average battery size installed has increased significantly to around 17-18 kWh, up from the previous 10-12 kWh, contributing to a single month adding 300 MWh of new energy storage capacity—equivalent to 10% of all existing Australian home batteries. The program's popularity is driving a shift in energy storage dynamics, with battery installations even outpacing new solar panel systems during parts of July. Experts and regulators, including the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the Clean Energy Regulator, emphasize the need for consumer protections and safety inspections to ensure compliance and prevent exploitation amid soaring demand. The widespread adoption of batteries is expected to lower energy bills nationwide and accelerate Australia's renewable energy transition.