The Northern Territory Government is increasing the Home and Business Battery Scheme bonus from $5000 to $12,000 in a move to increase access to renewables, lower energy bills and support local solar and battery businesses.
Northern Territory Minister for Renewables, Gerard Maley, said it was part of the Territory Government’s commitment to practical outcomes for Territorians.
“As promised, we are more than doubling the battery bonus for Territorians,” he said.
“We understand the challenges power prices present, and this increase will provide an accessible entry point for households and businesses looking to make the switch to renewable energy.
“This is about providing practical solutions to ease affordability pressures while also providing greater energy grid stability.”
The Home and Business Battery Scheme offers eligible homeowners and businesses access to up to $12,000 for a battery subsidy of $400 per kilowatt-hour of usable system capacity.
“Our government is doubling the funding pool from $3 million to $6 million, giving more Territorians access to solar batteries and inverters,” Mr Maley said.
Eligible owners can use the grants to either:
- Buy and install a solar photovoltaic (PV) system with an eligible battery and inverter
- Buy and install an eligible battery and inverter, to complement an existing solar PV system
The Northern Territory Government said batteries allow households and businesses to maximise use of electricity generated from rooftop solar PV systems while contributing to grid stability and reducing power system costs.
“By charging their battery during the day, families and businesses can store energy to use during peak times or when it is cloudy, making it easier to manage costs and run their appliances, including aircons, more efficiently,” Mr Maley said.
The grant is available from 1 December 2024 for 12 months, or until the $6 million funding pool is fully subscribed.
The Northern Territory Government said it is also doubling the peak feed-in-tariff so households and businesses can get 18.66c/kWh between 3pm and 9pm year-round for electricity exported to the grid.
The new rate will come into effect from July 1, 2025.
The Territory Government said this is to ensure Power Water Corporation ICT upgrades in early 2025 are complete, and to enable the necessary changes to billing systems to reflect the peak feed-in-tariff.
“Supplementing grid supplies with household and business solar batteries means we can reduce the peak demand on gas-fired generation, increase energy reliability and cut emissions,” Mr Maley said.
The higher feed-in-tariff during the peak period of 3pm to 9pm is expected to encourage people with solar and batteries to export more power at these times, easing pressure on the grid.
From 1 July 2025, eligible customers will automatically receive the higher feed-in-tariff from their electricity retailer, potentially saving them an average of $150 per year.
