How to Turn Your Home Battery into a Money-Making Machine in 2025

Federal Government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program

Starting July 1, 2025, the Australian Government is rolling out the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, a $2.3 billion initiative aimed at reducing the upfront cost of home battery installations by approximately 30%. This program is an expansion of the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) and is designed to make battery storage more affordable for households and small businesses across the country.

Key Features:

• Upfront Discount: Approximately 30% off the cost of installing a home battery system.

• Eligibility: Available to households and small businesses installing eligible small-scale batteries.

• Delivery: The program will be administered through the SRES, with discounts generally provided via solar and battery retailers and installers like Solar Set.

NSW’s Enhanced Virtual Power Plant Incentives

In addition to the federal rebate, New South Wales is offering increased incentives for households that connect their batteries to Virtual Power Plants (VPPs). Starting July 1, 2025, NSW residents can receive up to $1,500 for joining a VPP, a significant increase from the previous $800 incentive.

Benefits of Joining a VPP:

• Financial Incentive: Receive up to $1,500 for connecting your battery to a VPP.

• Grid Support: Help stabilise the electricity grid during peak demand periods.

• Accelerated Payback: Speed up the return on investment for your solar and battery system.

By participating in a VPP, your stored energy can be dispatched to the grid when it’s needed most, providing both financial returns and contributing to a more stable energy system.

Understanding Virtual Power Plants (VPPs)

A Virtual Power Plant (VPP) is a network of decentralised energy resources—such as home solar panels, battery storage systems, and smart appliances—aggregated and managed through advanced software to operate as a single power plant. This coordination allows for optimised energy generation, storage, and distribution, enhancing grid stability and maximising renewable energy usage.

How VPPs Work:

1. Energy Generation: Your solar panels generate electricity to power your home and charge your battery.

2. Energy Storage: Excess energy is stored in your battery for later use.

3. Grid Coordination: During peak demand or instability, the VPP operator dispatches energy from participants’ batteries to the grid.

4. Financial Rewards: Participants earn incentives, such as feed-in tariffs or credits, for exporting energy to the grid.

By joining a VPP, you contribute to a more resilient energy grid and can receive financial compensation for the energy your system provides.

Maximising Earnings with Amber Electric SmartShift

We’ve been taking full control of our energy usage and maximising our earnings with Amber Electric’s SmartShift program which offers a compelling solution. Unlike traditional VPPs, SmartShift allows you to benefit directly from wholesale energy price fluctuations.

How SmartShift Works:

• Dynamic Pricing: Sell your stored energy back to the grid during peak price periods, often earning significantly more than standard feed-in tariffs.

• Automated Optimisation: SmartShift automatically manages your battery charging and discharging based on real-time wholesale prices, solar generation, and household usage.

• Full Control: Maintain control over your battery, with the ability to turn optimisations on or off at any time.

In practice, we’ve experienced earnings of around $100 in a single day during significant price spikes. This level of regular earning potential can dramatically shorten the payback period for your battery investment.

Combining Incentives for Maximum Benefit

By stacking the federal and NSW incentives, homeowners can significantly reduce the upfront cost of a battery system and enhance ongoing earnings:

• Federal Rebate: Approximately 30% discount on battery installation.

• NSW VPP Incentive: Up to $1,500 for connecting to a VPP.

• SmartShift Earnings: Potential to earn substantial income by selling energy during peak price periods.

This combination not only makes battery storage more affordable but also transforms it into a viable income stream.

Getting Started

To take advantage of these opportunities:

1. Assess Your Energy Needs: Determine the appropriate battery size for your household.

2. Choose an Accredited Installer: Ensure your installer is accredited to access both federal and state incentives.

3. Select a Suitable Energy Retailer: Consider retailers like Amber Electric that offer programs like SmartShift to maximize your earnings.

4. Connect to a VPP: Enrol your battery in a VPP to receive NSW incentives and support the grid.

By strategically combining these programs and technologies, you can transform your home battery from a simple storage device into a powerful tool for financial gain and energy independence.

Real-Life Success Stories: Customers Reaping the Benefits

Many of our customers have experienced remarkable reductions in their reliance on grid electricity after installing home battery systems. Here are a few examples:

• Jackie in Kingscliff: Now draws only 2% of her electricity from the grid.

• Craig in Kingscliff: Reduced his grid usage to just 6%.

• Lisa and Tim in Northern NSW: Achieved an impressive 98% energy self-sufficiency, relying on the grid for only 2% of their power needs.

These success stories demonstrate the tangible benefits of integrating home battery systems with solar energy and participating in programs like Virtual Power Plants. By doing so, homeowners not only contribute to a more sustainable energy future but also enjoy substantial savings on their electricity bills.

Check out our projects section to see more success stories.