Two federal government incentives make 2025 the perfect time to install rooftop solar with a battery.

The Cheaper Home Batteries Program (CHBP) is now delivering an approximate 30% discount on eligible home batteries, applied at point of sale. That alone can knock thousands off a battery.

The ongoing federal Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme continues to reduce the upfront cost of solar panels.  

These rebates are claimed by your solar retailer on your behalf and then passed on to customers in the form of a discount on their system. 

• But – and here’s the kicker – the number of STCs available (for both panels and batteries) reduces each year as the deeming period (the time until the schemes are scheduled to close) shortens.
• That means buying now locks in a larger STC discount than you’ll likely get in 2026. 
• States are also stacking incentives in ways that make battery + VPP pairings particularly attractive. NSW (through its Peak Demand Reduction / VPP incentives) is offering generous upfront/top-up payments for batteries that join VPPs. The VPP connection payment was increased in 2025 and can be up to $1,500 depending on battery size and timing. NSW Government+1
  

Combine these incentives with ShineHub’s exclusive VPP incentive – namely a $2,000 upfront discount on your solar battery when a customer signs up to the ShineHub VPP. Plus you also have the chance to earn ongoing $1/kWh VPP payments (with a Hinen solar battery) when ShineHub sends energy stored in your battery back to the grid during periods of high demand.  These VPP payments add up in the long run and can help you save extra money as long as your battery stays connected to the VPP.  

Why waiting costs you money (the opportunity cost)

1. STC phase-down: STC entitlements decline each year as the deeming period shortens (so the solar rebate you receive on purchase is smaller in later years). That directly increases the upfront price of the solar panel part of your system if you postpone.
   
2. Battery rebate scheduled reduction: the CHBP is designed to run until 2030 with rebates that will reduce over time as uptake and price decline. Meaning the 30% discount available in 2025 is likely larger than what will be available in 2026 and beyond. Buying in 2025 captures more of that government discount.

Estimated cost of waiting (simple illustrative example)

Using conservative scenario estimates (smaller STC allocations next year and a staged reduction in the CHBP discount as the program winds down), the one-year cost of waiting can be substantial:

• ~$600-$700 for a 6.6 kW + 10 kWh solar and battery system
  
• ~$850-$950 for a 8.3 kW + 15 kWh solar and battery system

As STCs are calculated based on solar panels and battery size, the savings you could be missing out on increases the bigger the system size is.

These estimated figures represent lost rebates and reduced battery discount opportunity – but what they don’t include are the ongoing savings you’d forgo by not generating and storing your own solar energy all year (bill savings + VPP income). 

In addition you never know what next year will hold that will impact your energy usage and make solar even more attractive. Perhaps you are thinking about trading in your old gas guzzler for a schmick new EV? Or you may have another family member on the way that means your habits and energy usage patterns and amounts may change as well. Whatever life has in store for you, managing your energy costs with a solar and battery system could be worth consideration sooner rather than later. 

The ShineHub angle – money now and ongoing income

• $2,000 up-front VPP incentive reduces your upfront battery bill immediately (this is a ShineHub offer and is available with all our solar and battery systems as well as solar battery only packages.
  
• Ongoing VPP payments: ShineHub VPP participants in Australia can typically earn several hundred dollars per year depending on battery size and dispatch frequency (i.e. how many times your battery is called on to help when the grid needs it – that’s extra savings above the bill savings your new solar system would provide. Over the life of your battery these VPP payments can significantly help shorten payback.
  
• Trusted Retailer: ShineHub has installed over 7500 systems in Australia to date. In addition, we have a track record of running solar bulk buys in partnership with local councils (10 to date). So you can rest assured that the leg work in terms of evaluating our offerings, processes and products have already been done to a very high level by these councils.

What to do next? 

Checking the lay of the land costs nothing. Arming yourself with all the information about what you could be saving on your bills and what type of system is best for your energy consumption profile we reckon is time well spent. Even if you make the decision to wait until next year or the year after, at least you know what the opportunity cost is. Because the state incentives have deeming periods (i.e. a clear end when the rebate will cease), the above story will be the same every year. 

*Terms and conditions apply. Price assumes eligibility for the Battery STC discount. Contact ShineHub to confirm your eligibility. Must sign up to the ShineHub VPP. ShineHub VPP terms and conditions apply.
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