10kWh Solar Battery Price in Australia (2026)

A 10kWh battery is the sweet spot for most Australian homes. It stores enough solar energy to cover your evening and overnight usage without the premium price tag of larger systems. But pricing varies significantly between brands, and the "installed cost" includes more than just the battery itself.

Here is what you can expect to pay in 2026, what is included in that price, and which rebates can bring the cost down.

People commonly search for a "10kW battery" when they actually mean 10kWh. The distinction matters. kWh (kilowatt-hours) is the total amount of energy the battery can store. Think of it as the size of the tank. kW (kilowatts) is the rate at which the battery can charge or discharge. Think of it as the size of the tap.

A 10kWh battery with a 5kW output can power a 5kW load for roughly two hours, or a 1kW load for about ten hours. Most batteries in this size range have a continuous output of 3.5–5kW, which comfortably handles typical household loads like fridges, lights, TVs, and charging devices.

Throughout this article, when we say "10kWh battery" we mean the usable storage capacity, not the power output.

When an installer quotes you a "fully installed" price for a battery, it should cover the battery unit itself, a hybrid inverter (if your existing inverter is not compatible), all wiring and switchboard modifications, installation labour, and the electrical inspection and certificate of compliance.

The hybrid inverter component is worth paying attention to. Batteries like the Tesla Powerwall 3 have an integrated inverter, so you do not need a separate one. That simplifies installation and can make the all-up cost competitive despite a higher sticker price. Batteries like the BYD and Sungrow require a compatible hybrid inverter. If you already have one from your solar installation, great. If not, add $1,500–$3,000 for the inverter.

Switchboard upgrades are the most common hidden cost. Older homes with outdated switchboards may need a partial or full upgrade to meet current electrical standards, which can add $500–$1,500 to the job. A good installer will flag this during the site assessment, not on installation day.

Several rebate programs can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket cost for a 10kWh battery.

With the federal rebate alone, a $9,000 installed battery drops to around $6,000. Stack the VIC rebate on top and you could be looking at $3,000–$4,000 out of pocket for a quality 10kWh system. That changes the payback calculation considerably.

The right battery size depends on how much energy you use between sunset and sunrise. For most Australian households, that figure sits between 8–15kWh.

A 5kWh battery suits smaller households or apartments with low overnight consumption. It will cover the fridge, some lighting, and device charging, but not much more. It is the most affordable option, typically $4,000–$7,000 installed, and works well for people who mainly want to reduce their reliance on grid power during the evening peak.

A 10kWh battery is the most popular choice for a reason. It covers the evening and overnight usage of a typical three to four person household, including running the fridge, lights, TV, Wi-Fi router, and charging phones overnight. You will still draw from the grid if you run heavy loads like ducted air conditioning or an electric oven during peak hours, but for normal evening routines, 10kWh gets the job done.

A 13.5kWh battery (the Tesla Powerwall 3 is the most common at this size) gives you more headroom. It suits larger families, homes with a pool pump on a timer, or households planning to add an EV charger. The extra capacity also provides longer backup during power outages.

The annual savings from a 10kWh battery depend heavily on your electricity tariff structure. On a flat-rate tariff of 30–35c/kWh, a battery that cycles once per day saves you roughly $800–$1,100 per year by shifting solar energy from daytime export (worth 5–7c/kWh as a feed-in tariff) to evening self-consumption (worth 30–35c/kWh in avoided grid purchases).

On a time-of-use tariff with a peak rate of 45–55c/kWh during the evening, the savings jump to $1,200–$1,500 per year, because each kWh of stored solar you use during peak hours offsets a more expensive grid purchase.

If you participate in a virtual power plant (VPP) program, you can earn an additional $200–$500 per year by allowing the VPP operator to discharge your battery during grid stress events. Combined with self-consumption savings, some households see total battery value exceeding $1,500 annually.

At those rates, a 10kWh battery purchased for $6,000–$7,000 after rebates pays for itself in 4–7 years, well within the 10-year warranty period of most units.