Solar Battery Storage in Perth: Is It Worth It in 2025?

With Synergy's feed-in tariff sitting at just 2.25 cents per kWh, exporting excess solar to the grid in Perth is barely worthwhile. Battery storage has become increasingly attractive as a way to use more of the solar you generate — but do the numbers actually work?

How Solar Batteries Work

A home battery stores excess solar energy generated during the day for use at night or during cloudy periods. Instead of exporting power at 2.25c/kWh and buying it back at ~30c/kWh, a battery lets you use your own cheap solar power around the clock. The savings come from reducing your grid consumption, not from export.

Battery Costs in Perth 2025

10kWh battery (e.g. Tesla Powerwall 3, Sungrow SBR): $8,000–$14,000 installed
5kWh battery (entry level): $5,000–$8,000
13.5kWh (Powerwall 2): $12,000–$16,000
Prices vary significantly between brands and installers. Note: batteries do not currently attract the STC rebate that solar panels do.

Payback Period Realities

At current Perth electricity prices, a 10kWh battery storing and displacing ~7kWh per day (saving ~$2.10/day at 30c/kWh) would take 10–18 years to pay back at $8,000–$14,000. Battery warranties are typically 10 years. That said, electricity prices are rising and battery costs are falling — the economics improve over time. The payback is better for high daytime users and large solar systems that currently export heavily.

Virtual Power Plants

Several programs in WA allow battery owners to join a Virtual Power Plant (VPP), where Synergy or other operators can draw from your battery during peak demand. This can improve the economics through additional payments or credits.