With power bills soaring and solar panels popping up on every second roof, more Brisbane homeowners are starting to ask:
"Is a battery worth the investment?"
The short answer? It depends.
The long answer? Read on – we’ll break it down in plain English so you can decide if battery storage makes sense for your household.
If you’ve already got solar panels, you know they generate power during the day. The catch? Most households use most of their electricity in the evening, when the sun's long gone.
That’s where battery storage comes in. It stores your excess solar power during the day so you can use it at night, instead of buying expensive power from the grid.
Here’s when a home battery is more likely to be a smart investment:
✅ You already have solar panels and often export a lot of energy
If you're getting 6c–10c/kWh from your solar export, but paying 25–35c/kWh to buy it back at night – a battery helps you keep more of your own power.
✅ You use most of your electricity in the evenings
Running air con, cooking dinner, doing laundry – if it all happens after 4pm, a battery can cut your grid usage significantly.
✅ You're planning to stay in your home for 10+ years
Battery systems can cost between $8,000–$15,000+ depending on size and setup. The payback period is often 8–12 years, so the longer you stay, the more value you get.
✅ You want blackout protection
Some battery systems (like Tesla Powerwall or Sungrow with backup integration) can keep your lights and fridge running during power outages – handy during summer storms or Energex maintenance.
✅ You're thinking long-term
Battery prices are coming down, electricity prices are going up. The ROI isn’t amazing today for everyone, but it’s improving every year.
❌ You use most of your power during the day
If you’re home all day and already self-consuming most of your solar, a battery won’t give you as much extra benefit.
❌ Your solar system is small (<5kW)
Smaller systems may not generate enough excess power to charge a battery properly.
❌ You plan to move soon
Batteries are a long-term investment. If you're selling in a few years, you probably won’t see the return.
Every home’s different, but here’s a rough idea:
Battery prices are gradually coming down, but so are feed-in tariffs — and power prices are only heading one way: up. If you’re sitting on the fence, here’s something worth knowing:
🟢 The Australian Government has launched a solar battery rebate scheme to make storage more affordable.
Eligible homeowners can access incentives or low-interest loans that help reduce upfront costs. While the scheme varies by state, Queenslanders may qualify through local programs or future state-based rollouts supported by the federal Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC).
This could shave thousands off the cost of a system — making the payback period much shorter.
So, is now the right time? Here’s a practical way to look at it:
✅ If you’re already exporting lots of unused solar, plan to stay put, and want to avoid rising bills, a battery could now be a smart move — especially with government help.
⏳ If you’re not sure, you can still future-proof your solar system. Ask for a battery-ready inverter and leave space for storage later. That way, you’re not boxed in if rebates improve or your needs change.
At Triforce Electrical and Air, we don’t do pushy sales. We’re electricians – not energy sales reps – and we’ll give you real, practical advice based on your household’s actual energy usage and budget.
Whether you're curious about costs, want to future-proof your solar setup, or need help crunching the numbers – we can help you make an informed decision. Call our team on 1300 538 270.
📍 Local sparkies. Brisbane based. No fluff. Just facts.