South Australia Solar Battery Rebates

Last updated 31st October 2024

If you live in South Australia, you could qualify for not one, but two battery storage rebates! Keep reading to see if you’re eligible.

City of Adelaide’s Sustainability Incentives Scheme

If you’re in Adelaide, you could get back up to 50% of the cost of installing a home battery system – up to $2,000 max – thanks to the City of Adelaide’s Sustainability Incentives Scheme.

The rebate applies to an approved battery system that meets specific criteria and is installed by an approved installer — i.e. an installer who hold accreditation with Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA).

Who Can Apply for the Rebate:

Homeowners living in their own house within the City of Adelaide (postcodes 5000 or 5006).
Renters with the landlord’s go-ahead
Holders of a Commonwealth Concession Card
Apartments or community buildings (either for shared areas or individual units)

Important Conditions:

You can only apply for one rebate per property, based on the electricity meter.
The system must be installed by a licensed electrician, following Australian safety standards and Clean Energy Council (CEC) guidelines — i.e. an installer who holds accreditation with Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA).
The setup needs to focus on storing your energy for home use, not as a backup-only system.
The rebate applies to the battery equipment and installation only, so extras like switchboard upgrades won’t be covered.
Batteries leased or purchased through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) are eligible as long as ownership goes to the property owner or tenant after the contract ends.

How to Apply

Get quotes from accredited installers, if you haven’t already installed your system yet.
With your chosen quote or final invoice (if your system is already installed), head to the City of Adelaide Smarty Grants page and complete the application form, choosing the rebate option ‘Energy Storage.’
Once your application is submitted, it’s just a case of waiting to hear back.

If this all sounds like a lot of information, don’t stress! The installers we connect you with are all SAA approved suppliers and can help determine if you’re eligible for the rebate and assist you along the way.

Don’t live in Adelaide? No worries! There are still incentives available to you through the SA Virtual Power Plant (VPP)

South Australia Virtual Power Plant

If you’re in South Australia, you might be able to join the South Australian Virtual Power Plant (VPP) program, which could land you a lower-cost battery setup or some serious savings on electricity bills.

The program also supports the integration of a rooftop solar system with battery systems.

The South Australian Government and Tesla are creating Australia’s largest VPP by connecting Tesla Powerwall batteries across homes to help manage energy for the entire state. Here’s what it offers:

How It Works:

The idea is to connect as many Powerwalls as possible to build a smart network that stores and distributes power to balance the grid.

For Public Housing Residents:

If you’re in Housing SA property and chosen for the program, you’ll get a free solar and Powerwall system installed and maintained at your place. Here’s what you’ll enjoy:

SA’s lowest residential electricity rate
Power backup during outages
A low daily supply charge for electricity

For Private Homeowners:

Already own a Powerwall or thinking of getting one? You can join the SA VPP through the Tesla Energy Plan, letting Tesla manage your Powerwall to help power the grid. In return, you’ll get: