Solar Citizens is proud to announce the much awaited wedding of Ms Solar Panel with Mr Battery. The ceremony was held to celebrate the 1 July launch of the game-changing federal home battery rebate through the Albanese Government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program.
Solar Citizens CEO Heidi Lee Douglas congratulated the pair:
“Ms Solar Power, you’ve powered our energy grid with your clean sun power so valiantly, resulting in more solar energy than ever being generated during the day.
“Mr Battery you’ve come along to soak up that clean solar energy so that it can be released at night to power your love and firm our grid, bringing down power prices for all of us.”
“This is a happy day for all Australians, with the marriage of home solar and home batteries. Their union will bring us all cheaper home power bills and a safer environment!”
Osher Guinsberg as the Celebrant at the Wedding of Ms Solar Power & Mr Battery
Celebrant Osher Guinsberg reflected in the ceremony:
“What a power couple. Solar Power, married with Battery storage to ensure reliable electricity and bringing down energy prices for all.
“Together Solar Power and Battery storage will bring cheaper power, less pollution, fewer emissions and a more reliable energy grid that brings down energy costs for all. A coupling rejoiced by homes and businesses across the nation who reap the rewards of this union.”
Further congratulations from Clean Energy Council General Manager Distributed Energy, Con Hristodoulidis:
“May your marriage always stay fully charged with zero discharge disputes. As you unite on the rooftop of love, may your days be sunny and your nights backed up with seamless storage. Here's to a lifetime of balanced loads, peak performance and never hitting gridlock in your relationship.”
Tim Lamacraft, Interim Chief Advocacy Officer, Smart Energy Council:
“These two powerhouses have long been destined for each other. One stands proud in the sun, the other charges into the night. Hand in hand, they'll shower us with 24-7 solar power.
“This, friends, is complementary chemistry, each pouring photons into the other's heart so they may be released when the Earth darkens, lighting the way for us all. A toast to the marriage of Ms. Solar Power and Mr. Battery from us here at the Smart Energy Council. In unity, you two are stronger, smarter, and more sustainable.”
photos by Tim Baines
Solar Citizens CEO Heidi Lee Douglas explains:
“This national battery rebate of a 30% discount from the upfront cost of a home battery is a game changer that Solar Citizens has advocated for three years.
“This is the first ever federal rebate for battery storage, while rebates for solar panels have been available since 2007 (through the Small Renewable Energy Scheme) and successfully drove Australia to be the world leader in rooftop solar uptake.”
“We support the goal of driving one million home batteries into the energy grid by 2030, and for solar households to become integral energy producers that firm the grid during times of peak demand as well as during the middle of the day, which will ultimately help to bring down energy prices for all Australians.
“In keeping with modelling by the Australian Energy Market Operator in their 2024 Integrated Systems Plan, that 8 GW of consumer-driven storage, equivalent to one million home batteries, will be needed by 2030 to stabilise the grid and keep energy prices low.”
“Over four million Australian solar households will be empowered to turn their homes into mini power stations - huge win for consumer energy, and energy democratisation, everyday Australians are powering the clean energy transition with their rooftops, and now with batteries behind the meter too! Not only will Australia be leading the world on rooftop solar uptake, but on home battery uptake too!
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, The Environment and Water webpage states:
The $2.3 billion Cheaper Home Batteries Program will encourage the rapid uptake of batteries. From 1 July 2025 Australian households, businesses and community organisations can get an upfront discount of around 30% on the cost of installing a battery, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.
The program is designed to be coupled with any state or territory initiatives and is geared towards home battery installations that are able to connect to a Virtual Power Plant (VPP). Most of the state/territory support are loans schemes, while the WA government has reduced their rebate to include the value of the federal rebate and the NSW battery rebate finishes on 30 June, while doubling the incentive to sign up to a VPP .