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Solar Battery ACT 2026

For concession card holders, the ACT has the best combined battery incentives in Australia. The HESP rebate (up to $5,000) stacks with the federal Cheaper Home Batteries rebate (about $2,584 on a 10kWh battery) for $7,584 in total, bringing a 10kWh battery installed for $11,000 down to $3,416 out of pocket. Every ACT homeowner can also get a $15,000 interest-free loan through the Sustainable Household Scheme.

Rebate figures checked 2 September 2026. Installed prices are indicative.

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Battery storage in ACT

HESP rebates for concession holders, interest-free finance for every homeowner and the federal battery rebate together make the ACT the cheapest place in Australia for an eligible household to buy a battery.

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  1. Best concession value

    Concession card holders can save $7,584 on a 10kWh battery, the best deal for eligible residents anywhere in Australia. A 10kWh battery installed for $11,000 comes down to $3,416 out of pocket.

  2. Interest-free financing

    The Sustainable Household Scheme lends $15,000 at 0% interest, repaid through your rates over 10 years. Any ACT homeowner can put a battery in without paying upfront.

  3. Blackout protection

    Canberra's cold winters and summer heatwaves put pressure on the grid. A battery keeps your home comfortable during outages and cuts how much peak-priced grid power you buy.

ACT battery programs and incentives

What ACT battery buyers can claim now. HESP is the big one for concession holders, and the Sustainable Household Scheme loan is open to every homeowner.
  • Open

    HESP battery rebate

    Up to $5,000

    The Home Energy Support Program pays up to $5,000 to concession card holders installing a battery. It stacks with the federal rebate for $7,584 in total on a 10kWh battery, one of the most generous state battery incentives in Australia.

    Eligibility

    • Eligible concession card holder
    • ACT residential property owner
    • Approved installer required
    • New battery installation
  • Open

    Federal Cheaper Home Batteries

    About $2,584 on 10 kWh

    The federal rebate works out at about $258/kWh. It is available to every ACT resident and stacks with HESP for concession holders. Tiered rates have applied since 1 May 2026.

    Eligibility

    • Australian homeowner
    • SAA-approved battery
    • Licensed electrician
    • New battery installation
  • Open

    Sustainable Household Scheme

    $15,000 interest-free loan

    A 10-year interest-free loan repaid through your rates. It covers solar, batteries, EV chargers and other energy upgrades, and is open to every ACT homeowner regardless of income.

    Eligibility

    • ACT residential property owner
    • Property with rates account
    • Eligible energy upgrade
    • Approved provider required
  • Good to know

    ACT Energy Efficiency Program

    Various rebates

    The ACT Government offers further rebates for insulation, draught-proofing and hot water upgrades that can sit alongside your battery installation.

    Eligibility

    • ACT residential property
    • Check eligibility for each program
    • May have income thresholds

ACT battery cost breakdown 2026

What a typical 10kWh battery costs in the ACT once the incentives come off.
10kWh battery, ACT concession pricing
Battery and installation
$11,000
HESP rebate (concession)
−$5,000
Federal rebate (about $258/kWh)
−$2,584
Out of pocket
$3,416

Ongoing savings: time-of-use savings of $60 to $100 a month. At $3,416 out of pocket, payback is about 3 to 5 years.

Non-concession holders: $8,416 out of pocket after the federal rebate, or use the $15,000 interest-free Sustainable Household Scheme loan and pay nothing upfront.

ACT battery prices by size

  • 5 kWh

    Installed
    $5,500 to $7,500
    Concession
    $0 to $1,208
    Standard
    $4,208 to $6,208

  • 10 kWh

    Installed
    $10,000 to $12,000
    Concession
    $2,416 to $4,416
    Standard
    $7,416 to $9,416

  • 13.5 kWh

    Installed
    $13,000 to $16,000
    Concession
    $4,542 to $7,542
    Standard
    $9,542 to $12,542

  • 20 kWh

    Installed
    $16,000 to $22,000
    Concession
    $6,478 to $12,478
    Standard
    $11,478 to $17,478

Concession is HESP ($5,000) plus the federal rebate. Standard is the federal rebate only. Actual savings vary.

Monthly savings

ACT time-of-use tariffs have a wide gap between peak and off-peak prices. A 10kWh battery cycling daily can save:

Each month
$60 to $100
Each year
$720 to $1,200

Top batteries for ACT

Six common home batteries, with indicative ACT installed prices and roughly what each costs after HESP and the federal rebate, or after the federal rebate alone. All six are eligible for the current incentives.

  • Tesla Powerwall 3

    Capacity
    13.5 kWh
    Power
    11.5 kW continuous
    Warranty
    10 years
    Chemistry
    LFP
    • Built-in inverter
    • Whole-home backup capable
    • Tesla VPP compatible
    • Storm Watch
    Installed in the ACT
    $13,000 to $16,000
    Concession: HESP and federal
    $4,542 to $7,542
    Standard: federal only
    $9,542 to $12,542

  • BYD Battery-Box Premium

    Capacity
    10.2 to 20.5 kWh
    Power
    10.2 kW
    Warranty
    10 years
    Chemistry
    LFP
    • Modular design
    • Multiple VPP compatible
    • Stackable up to 4 units
    • Cobalt-free
    Installed in the ACT
    $9,000 to $14,000
    Concession: HESP and federal
    $1,378 to $4,402
    Standard: federal only
    $6,378 to $9,402

  • Sungrow SBR

    Capacity
    9.6 to 25.6 kWh
    Power
    6.4 to 12.8 kW
    Warranty
    10 years
    Chemistry
    LFP
    • Modular 3.2kWh modules
    • Excellent value
    • VPP ready
    • High efficiency
    Installed in the ACT
    $8,000 to $15,000
    Concession: HESP and federal
    $530 to $4,604
    Standard: federal only
    $5,530 to $9,604

  • Enphase IQ Battery

    Capacity
    3.36 to 10.08 kWh
    Power
    1.28 kW per unit
    Warranty
    15 years
    Chemistry
    LFP
    • Microinverter integration
    • No single point of failure
    • 15-year warranty
    • Indoor/outdoor rated
    Installed in the ACT
    $9,000 to $18,000
    Concession: HESP and federal
    $3,164 to $10,416
    Standard: federal only
    $8,164 to $15,416

  • Alpha ESS SMILE5

    Capacity
    5.7 to 34.2 kWh
    Power
    5 kW
    Warranty
    10 years
    Chemistry
    LFP
    • All-in-one design
    • Built-in inverter
    • Smart EMS
    • VPP compatible
    Installed in the ACT
    $10,000 to $20,000
    Concession: HESP and federal
    $3,556 to $8,996
    Standard: federal only
    $8,556 to $13,996

  • Redback Smart Hybrid

    Capacity
    7.2 to 28.8 kWh
    Power
    5 kW / 10 kW
    Warranty
    10 years
    Chemistry
    LFP
    • Australian company
    • Grid services ready
    • Excellent monitoring
    • Smart scheduling
    Installed in the ACT
    $11,000 to $22,000
    Concession: HESP and federal
    $4,176 to $11,186
    Standard: federal only
    $9,176 to $16,186

ACT battery FAQs

What is the ACT HESP battery rebate?
The Home Energy Support Program (HESP) provides up to $5,000 for concession card holders installing solar panels, batteries or EV chargers. Combined with the federal rebate, concession holders can save up to $7,584 on a 10kWh battery.
What is the Sustainable Household Scheme?
The ACT provides a $15,000 interest-free loan repaid over 10 years through your rates. It covers solar panels, batteries, EV chargers and other energy upgrades, and is open to all ACT homeowners regardless of income.
How much does a home battery cost in Canberra?
A 10kWh battery costs approximately $11,000 fully installed. For concession holders, after HESP ($5,000) and the federal rebate (about $2,584), the out-of-pocket cost is around $3,416. Without HESP, it is about $8,416 after the federal rebate alone.
Can I use the Sustainable Household Scheme for a battery?
Yes. The $15,000 interest-free loan can be used for a battery installation. Repayments are added to your rates over 10 years, so there is no interest and no upfront cost.
Who qualifies for the ACT HESP rebate?
You must hold an eligible concession card (Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card), own an ACT residential property, and install an eligible battery system through an approved installer.
Can I stack HESP with the federal battery rebate?
Yes. Concession card holders can combine the HESP rebate (up to $5,000) with the federal Cheaper Home Batteries rebate (about $2,584 for 10kWh) for total savings of about $7,584. For eligible concession holders, that makes the ACT the best value in Australia.
What is the payback period for batteries in Canberra?
For concession holders (out of pocket about $3,416): payback in 3 to 5 years. For non-concession holders (about $8,416 after the federal rebate, or using the interest-free loan): payback in 7 to 12 years. Both assume time-of-use savings of $60 to $100 a month.

Related resources

New

ACT battery buyer’s guide 2026

The local rebate stack, the top batteries, and what installation looks like in Canberra and the surrounding region.

Read the guide

Get your ACT battery quote

Find out exactly what HESP and the federal battery rebate take off your price, in Canberra and the surrounding region. One Why Solar Approved installer, one free written quote, and fifteen minutes with a solar expert before you sign.

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