Home battery systems are getting a lot of attention in Western Australia right now, and for good reason. Unlike other states, WA doesn’t offer subsidies to help people install them, which is a big deal when you consider the price—anywhere from $8,000 to $13,000. That’s a steep cost for most households.
But here’s where things get interesting: both the Greens and the Liberals—two parties that rarely see eye to eye—actually agree that WA should start offering incentives. Even Energy Minister Reece Whitby has hinted that the government is looking into it.
The big question? Will WA finally step up and make home batteries more affordable? Right now, a lot of people are waiting to see if the government will introduce subsidies like other states have.
Until then, many households are stuck deciding whether to take on the cost themselves or hold out for some much-needed support.
Unlikely Political Agreement on Home Batteries
WA politics is usually full of disagreements, especially when it comes to energy. Greens MP Brad Pettitt and Liberal MP Steve Thomas rarely see eye to eye—one wants to push gas, the other wants it gone as soon as possible. But home batteries? That’s one thing they actually agree on.
Steve Thomas thinks WA should move quickly on smaller battery schemes that people can actually afford. Instead of waiting for huge projects, he believes helping homeowners install batteries now would make a big difference.
Brad Pettitt sees it the same way. Other states are already supporting home batteries, and he thinks WA needs to catch up before it falls too far behind.
In simple terms, both of them want the same thing: make home batteries easier to get and more affordable. They might have different reasons, but at the end of the day, they’re pushing for the same result.
The Current Government’s Approach
WA Labor has been focusing on large-scale battery projects instead of helping households install their own.
While that might sound good for overall energy stability, it doesn’t do much for homeowners who want to cut their power bills and have more control over their electricity use.
The only real support for home batteries so far was a small trial in 2021 in one of Perth’s southern suburbs.
Outside of that, people are left to cover the full cost themselves, which can be anywhere between $8,000 and $13,000—a price that’s out of reach for a lot of families.
Household batteries store extra solar power from rooftop panels. Instead of sending excess electricity back to the grid for a low return, that energy can be used later, like at night or during blackouts.
This reduces pressure on the grid and helps lower electricity costs. Right now, WA is behind other states in making this a real option for most households.
The Cost and Benefit Debate
A lot of people pushing for home battery subsidies say it’s a smarter long-term investment than quick-fix electricity credits. Fraser Maywood from Sustainable Energy Now argues that while credits might help with one bill, batteries keep costs down for years by letting homeowners store their own solar power instead of relying on the grid.
Energy security is another big reason advocates want subsidies. Perth’s recent blackouts showed how unreliable the grid can be, especially during storms.
If you have a home battery, you stay powered even when the grid goes down. That’s a huge advantage, especially for families or businesses that can’t afford unexpected outages.
Some states have already started offering help. Queensland introduced means-tested subsidies, giving $4,000 rebates to 2,000 households to make batteries more affordable. In WA, both the Greens and Liberals agree that any subsidy should be means-tested, making sure support goes to those who need it most.
Steve Thomas thinks WA should aim for a subsidy that covers around half the cost of a battery. He suggests options like grants or zero-interest loans, making it easier for middle-income families to get one without paying everything upfront.
Challenges in Home Battery Adoption
Australia has made huge progress in household solar energy, but figuring out how to connect home batteries to the grid is still a challenge. The technology is there, but the system isn’t fully set up to handle widespread battery use yet.
In WA, 40% of households have solar panels, but most of them don’t have batteries. That means a lot of excess energy is going back to the grid, often for a low financial return.
Without a way to store that power, homeowners still rely on the grid at night or during cloudy days, which limits their savings.
Battery adoption in WA is far behind other states. By July 2023, only 10,000 small-scale batteries had been installed. In NSW, South Australia, and Victoria, that number was double.
To fix this, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is funding research to figure out how to integrate batteries into WA’s power grid in a way that keeps everything stable and reliable.
The Future of Home Batteries in WA
WA is falling behind other states when it comes to home battery adoption, but there’s growing political support to change that.
Both the Greens and Liberals agree that household battery subsidies are worth considering, which is rare for two parties that usually don’t align on energy policies. This kind of bipartisan backing means the idea has a real chance of moving forward.
The biggest hurdles are cost, government action, and grid integration. Right now, batteries cost between $8,000 and $13,000, which makes them too expensive for many households. Subsidies or zero-interest loan programs could help bridge that gap.
Grid integration is another piece of the puzzle. WA’s energy network isn’t fully equipped for widespread battery use yet, but projects funded by ARENA are working on solutions. If the government steps in with the right support, home batteries could become as common as rooftop solar in WA.
Key Takeaway
WA has everything in place for home battery storage to take off. The technology works, political support is building, and other states have shown that subsidies can make a real difference.
Without action, though, home batteries will stay out of reach for most households. The real shift happens when more people can store their own solar power, cut down energy bills, and reduce reliance on the grid.
The question now is whether WA will step up—or if homeowners will have to find their own way forward. If you’re thinking about installing a battery or going off-grid, this is the time to start looking at your options. Offgrid WA can help you figure out the best setup for your home and make the switch.
