Solar Battery Price Guide 2026: What to Expect for 5kW, 10kW & More

Big changes are coming to the Cheaper Home Batteries Program from 1 May 2026. New STC factors and rebate tapering will impact how much you save on solar batteries through to 2030. Home batteries have had a huge surge, and so the Federal Government has confirmed that changes are underway with the program. 

The adjustments are meant to help preserve meaningful discounts for households while preventing oversized systems from draining the budget. Let’s take a look at what to expect in terms of solar battery prices in 2026 and how much 5kW, 10kW, and higher systems will cost.

The Solar Battery Program So Far

The original Cheaper Home Batteries Program was initially estimated at $2.3 billion but has since skyrocketed to an estimated $7.2 billion over the next four years, according to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water. 

This initiative aims to help more than 2 million Australians install a battery by 2030, delivering approximately 40 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of additional storage capacity. So far, the program has helped provide over 160,000 battery installations nationwide in just six months, adding more than 3.6 GWh of capacity to the energy grid. 

The program has helped reduce the cost of installing solar batteries, making it a great time to invest; however, it’s essential to be aware of the changes in 2026.

What’s Not Changing

Before we get into the big shifts, you should know that some things are staying the same:

• Your discount will still come from Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES).
• Battery systems with capacities of up to 100 kWh are still supported under the program.
• Batteries can be connected to existing or new solar systems.
• You won’t need to directly apply for the discount as it’s typically applied at the point of sale.
• The discount remains based on usable battery capacity and the number of STCs the battery is eligible for.

Significant Changes to Solar Battery Prices

From May 1, 2026, two main changes will occur, shifting incentives more towards typical household systems.

1. Faster STC Factor Reductions

The STC factor will decline faster and updates twice yearly. This will happen in January and July each year from May 2026. 

Year	Period	Existing STC Factor	Proposed STC Factor
2026	01-04	8.4	8.4
2026	05-12	8.4	6.8
2027	01-06	7.4	5.7
2027	07-12	7.4	5.2
2028	01-06	6.5	4.6
2028	07-12	6.5	4.1
2029	01-06	5.6	3.6
2029	07-12	5.6	3.1
2030	01-06	4.7	2.6
2030	07-12	4.7	2.1

Remember that the rebate is applied based on the installation date. 

2. Rebate Tapering

Battery size will play a bigger part in savings from 01/05/2026, as it will be tapered across three capacity bands.

Usable Battery Capacity (kWh)	STC Factor Applied
0-14	100%
14-28	60%
28-50	15%

This change is intended to help keep standard household batteries at a more affordable rate and preserve savings for solar and battery package prices. At the same time, larger systems typically used in commercial or industrial properties will receive sharply reduced per-kilowatt-hour support.

Solar Battery Price Changes in 2026

To give you an idea of how prices will change, let’s break down your potential solar battery rebate at different times of the year, from 10kW solar battery prices to 20kW solar battery prices.

Battery Size	Jan-April 2026 Rebate	May-December 2026 Rebate	Reduction
5kWh	$1,596	$1,292	-$304
10kWh	$3,192	$2,584	-$608
15kWh	$4,788	$3,876	-$912
20kWh	$6,384	$5,168	-$1,216

These changes are designed to maintain an average discount of 30% while reflecting the declining battery costs over time. It will also help to extend the funding through to 2030, supporting grid stability and rooftop solar storage. 

Estimate your savings with our solar battery rebate calculator.

Factors Affecting Solar Battery Prices

Alongside changes to rebates, several factors can influence the final price of your solar battery.

• Battery Type and Build: Lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry batteries, which are currently the most popular for their efficiency, safety, and long lifespan, tend to be more expensive than older lead-acid batteries.
• Storage Value: The more storage, the better the value in terms of kilowatt-hours. 
• Installation Complexity: Installation costs can increase if your property isn’t battery-ready and your switchboard requires an upgrade from major rewiring or meter box work.
• Location and Labour: Urban areas tend to have more competitive pricing with the availability of installers, while remote locations can incur higher travel and labour costs.
• Market Demand: Battery prices fluctuate in response to shifts in supply and demand. The announcement of changes to rebates, such as the alterations in 2026, can cause a temporary price spike, but this tends to level out after a rush of orders.

What to Consider Next

As you can imagine, timing is more critical than ever. Since the STC factor is locked in to the installation date, acting now means you can take advantage of the full rebate before a reduced discount from May 1, 2026.

Still, you should focus on what will work best for your needs rather than size. Pick a battery capacity that matches your usage profile or leaves room for an additional 20-30% cushion of extra energy. 

A reputable solar battery installer won’t recommend getting an oversized product just for the rebate value. However, if you do expect your usage to change in the future from growing families to potential house extensions, it’s not a bad idea to plan ahead. Bigger isn’t necessarily better with these changes, so bear that in mind when it comes to your system and your needs.

And as always, you should only use accredited products and installers. If you want to take advantage of current solar battery prices before changes in 2026, get in touch with Volteam today. Maximise your savings and future-proof your home against rising energy costs through the power of solar energy.