Emerging Tech
Sodium-Ion Batteries Explained
Sodium-ion batteries are emerging as a cheaper, safer alternative to lithium for home energy storage. But you can't buy one in Australia yet. Here's how they work, how they compare, and what has to happen before they reach Australian homes.
8 min read
The federal rebate takes about $3,610 off a 14 kWh battery installed before 1 January 2027, when it steps down.
Current battery rates end 1 January 2027 · 80 days remaining
Not available in Australia yet
As of August 2026, no sodium-ion home battery is sold in Australia. None of the 3,400+ battery products on the Clean Energy Council approved list is sodium-ion, which means no accredited installer can fit one under the incentive schemes and none qualifies for the federal battery rebate. Overseas launches and pre-order pages don't change this: a product has to be certified to Australian standards and listed before it can be installed here.
This guide covers the technology so you know what's coming. If you need a battery today, see our battery comparison for what you can actually buy and claim rebates on.
What are sodium-ion batteries?
Sodium-ion (Na-ion) batteries use sodium ions instead of lithium ions to store energy. Sodium is the sixth most abundant element on Earth, found in table salt, seawater, and mineral deposits everywhere. This makes it fundamentally cheaper and more sustainable than lithium.
The technology works almost identically to lithium-ion: sodium ions move between a cathode and anode through an electrolyte during charge and discharge. The key difference is the raw materials: no lithium, no cobalt, and no nickel required.
For Australian homeowners, sodium-ion batteries promise the same core benefit as lithium, storing solar energy for evening use, but at a lower cost and with inherently safer chemistry.
Cheaper materials
Sodium is 1,000x more abundant than lithium. No cobalt or nickel needed.
Safer chemistry
Non-flammable electrolyte. Lower thermal runaway risk than lithium.
Wider temperature range
Operates from -30°C to 60°C. Ideal for Australian climate extremes.
Your battery rebate, checked before you sign
The federal rebate takes about $3,610 off a 14 kWh battery installed before 1 January 2027, when it steps down. One Why Solar Approved installer near you, and fifteen minutes with a solar expert before you sign.
Current battery rates end 1 January 2027 · 80 days remaining
Sodium-ion vs lithium-ion
Here is how the two chemistries compare for home energy storage.
| Feature | Sodium-ion | Lithium-ion |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | Sodium-ion (Na-ion) | Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) or NMC |
| Energy Density | 100 to 160 Wh/kg | 150 to 250 Wh/kg |
| Cycle Life | 3,000 to 6,000 cycles | 4,000 to 8,000 cycles (LFP) |
| Temperature Range | -30°C to 60°C | -20°C to 45°C |
| Safety | Very high: non-flammable electrolyte | High (LFP) to moderate (NMC) |
| Raw Materials | Abundant: sodium, iron, manganese | Lithium, cobalt (NMC) or iron (LFP) |
| Weight (10kWh) | ~80 to 100 kg | ~60 to 80 kg |
| Self-Discharge | Higher than lithium | Very low |
| Maturity | Early commercial stage | Mature, mass production |
| Cost Trend | Falling fast, projected cheaper by 2027 | Stabilising after steep declines |
Who's making sodium batteries?
Several major manufacturers are ramping up sodium-ion production. This is where each one stands:
PowerCap
Commercial/off-grid only in AU
Australian sodium battery maker with TÜV certification. Selling into commercial, industrial, and off-grid markets, and has entered the US. Residential sales are blocked until sodium-ion reaches the CEC approved list.
CATL
Available in China, limited exports
World's largest battery maker. Shipping first-gen Na-ion cells since 2023. Targeting home storage and EVs.
HiNa Battery
Commercial production underway
Chinese startup focused purely on sodium-ion. Partnering with several home storage manufacturers.
BYD
R&D / pilot stage
Developing Na-ion cells for budget EVs and storage. Expected to enter home storage market.
Natron Energy
Commercial, US market
US-based, using Prussian blue chemistry. Focused on commercial/industrial applications first.
Faradion (Reliance)
Pilot production
UK-developed, now owned by India's Reliance Industries. Targeting grid and home storage markets.
Australian availability
None of these products can be installed in an Australian home today. Two gates sit in the way: certification to Australian standards, then listing on the Clean Energy Council approved battery register, which the federal rebate and installer accreditation rules both depend on. The CEC is working with Standards Australia on accrediting non-lithium chemistries, but no timeline has been published. We'll update this page when that changes.
Should you wait for sodium batteries?
Buy lithium now if…
- You need a battery now to maximise solar savings
- Your feed-in tariff is low (<5c/kWh) and you're exporting lots
- You want proven technology with established warranties
- You're eligible for a state battery rebate that may expire
- You want blackout backup this summer
Consider waiting if…
- You're not in a rush and don't mind an open-ended wait
- You want the lowest possible cost per kWh of storage
- You're interested in sustainability and ethical sourcing
- You're still deciding on solar and can plan ahead
- Your current electricity costs aren't urgent enough to justify $8,000+
Our take: Don't wait if you have a clear need and budget for a battery today. Lithium LFP batteries (like the Tesla Powerwall 3 or BYD Atto) are proven, well-supported in Australia, rebate-eligible, and will save you money from day one. There is no committed date for sodium-ion reaching Australian homes, the federal rebate steps down each year while you wait, and the savings you miss by waiting may outweigh any future price drop.
See the battery rebate your quote should show
The federal rebate takes about $3,610 off a 14 kWh battery installed before 1 January 2027, when it steps down. Then a solar expert goes through it with you, and your quote, before you sign.
Current battery rates end 1 January 2027 · 80 days remaining
Sodium battery timeline
- 2023
First generation
CATL ships first commercial Na-ion cells. Limited to Chinese market.
- 2024
Scale-up begins
Multiple Chinese manufacturers announce GWh-scale production. Costs start falling.
- 2025
EV integration
Na-ion cells appear in budget EVs in China. Energy density improves to 160 Wh/kg. Australia's PowerCap gains TÜV certification and enters the US market.
- 2026
Still not in Australian homes
Sodium-ion products launch overseas, but none reaches the CEC approved battery list, so none can be installed or claim rebates in Australia. The CEC and Standards Australia work on accrediting non-lithium chemistries.
- 2027+
The regulatory gate
From January 2027, batteries must be certified to the new SA TS 5398 standard for CEC listing. Australian residential availability depends on products clearing certification and listing. No manufacturer has committed to a date.
Frequently asked questions
Are sodium-ion batteries available in Australia?
No. As of August 2026, no sodium-ion home battery is sold in Australia, and none of the 3,400+ battery products on the Clean Energy Council approved list is sodium-ion. Without that listing, an accredited installer cannot install one under the incentive schemes and it cannot claim the federal battery rebate. Overseas launches and pre-order pages do not change this: a product has to be certified to Australian standards and listed before it can be installed here.
Do sodium-ion batteries qualify for the federal battery rebate?
No. The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program and state battery schemes only apply to approved, CEC-listed systems installed by accredited installers. No sodium-ion product is on that list, so there is no rebate pathway for one, even if you imported a unit privately. The CEC is working with Standards Australia on accrediting other battery chemistries, but no timeline has been published.
Are sodium batteries cheaper than lithium?
Not yet at the retail level, but they're projected to be 20 to 40% cheaper than lithium-ion batteries by 2027 to 2028. The raw materials (sodium, iron, manganese) are far more abundant and cheaper than lithium. Manufacturing costs are dropping as production scales up.
How long do sodium-ion batteries last?
Current sodium-ion cells offer 3,000 to 6,000 charge cycles, compared to 4,000 to 8,000 for lithium LFP. At one cycle per day, that's 8 to 16 years of service. Cycle life is expected to improve as the technology matures.
Are sodium batteries safe?
Yes. Sodium-ion batteries are considered safer than lithium-ion. They use non-flammable electrolytes, have lower thermal runaway risk, and can be discharged to 0V for safe transport and storage. This makes them attractive for residential use.
Should I wait for sodium batteries or buy lithium now?
If you need a battery now, buy lithium LFP (like Tesla Powerwall or BYD). Current lithium batteries are proven, widely available, rebate-eligible, and offer strong warranties. There is no committed date for sodium-ion reaching Australian homes, and the federal rebate steps down each year, so waiting has a real cost with an unknown payoff. If sodium-ion does arrive at a lower price, the rebate you gave up waiting may cancel out the saving.
Can sodium batteries be used with existing solar systems?
Yes. Sodium-ion batteries work with standard hybrid inverters, just like lithium batteries. The voltage and charge profiles are similar enough that most existing solar setups will be compatible with a sodium battery when they become available.
What are the downsides of sodium-ion batteries?
The main drawbacks are lower energy density (heavier and larger for the same kWh), higher self-discharge rate, slightly lower cycle life compared to LFP lithium, and zero availability in Australia right now: no product is sold here, none is CEC-listed, and none qualifies for rebates. The technical gaps are expected to narrow with next-generation cells, but the regulatory gap has no published timeline.
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The next step
If you're considering a home battery system, Andy and the team can match you with one Why Solar Approved installer near you for a free written quote, and fifteen minutes with a solar expert before you sign.
Written by
Solar Installer Partner Relations
Connects homeowners with trusted, vetted solar installers across Australia. Andy works directly with installation companies to ensure quality standards and helps homeowners through the quoting process.
If you have any questions about the information in this guide, email andy@whysolar.com.au or call +61 2 5657 6527.