WA & Federal Programs Explained (Update June 6th 2025)

From July 1, 2025, significant updates to both the Western Australian (WA) and Federal Government battery rebate programs will take effect – offering substantial financial support to Broome residents looking to invest in battery systems. While the WA rebate has been modestly reduced, the exciting news is that both State and Federal rebates can now be claimed together.

This combined support means funding can be shared more broadly, helping more households access energy storage and accelerating Broome’s transition to clean, self-sufficient power. It’s a smart move for energy equity and a meaningful step forward for our region.

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🌞 WA Residential Battery Scheme – Horizon Power Customers

Broome residents on the Horizon Power network are eligible for the WA Residential Battery Scheme, which offers:

• Rebates: Calculated at $380 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for up to 10 kWh of battery capacity. While reduced from earlier announcements, this adjustment allows more households to benefit from the funding pool.
• Interest-Free Loans: Up to $10,000, repayable over 10 years, available to households with a combined annual income under $210,000. These loans are delivered by Plenti Pty Ltd, the program’s official administrator and financier.
  Solar Microgrids Australia is a registered Plenti partner and can guide eligible Broome residents through the loan process to make battery installations more affordable.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be a Horizon Power customer.
• The battery system must be VPP-capable (see more below on the Horizon Community Wave VPP).
• Installation must occur on or after July 1, 2025.
• Participation in the VPP is mandatory.

Note: Installations completed before July 1, 2025, are not eligible for this rebate.

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🇦🇺 Federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program

Running alongside the WA scheme, the Federal Government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program offers:

• Rebates: Around $335 per usable kWh, up to 50 kWh, with potential savings of up to $16,750.
• Eligibility: Open to households, small businesses, and community organisations.

Key Requirements:

• Batteries must be VPP-ready.
• Installations must be completed by SAA-accredited and Clean Energy Council-accredited installers.
• The rebate is administered through the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES).

Good news: Federal and WA rebates can now be claimed together on eligible systems.

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🌐 Horizon Power’s Community Wave VPP

Participation in Horizon Power’s upcoming Community Wave Virtual Power Plant (VPP) is required to access the WA & Federal rebate. While full details are still to come, the program is designed to intelligently coordinate household batteries across the grid – boosting local energy reliability and efficiency. This builds on the success of Horizon’s earlier Smart Sun Pilot in Broome, which demonstrated how VPPs can reduce network stress and unlock greater solar benefits for the community.

Check out Horizon Power’s website and register to for updates.

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💡 Example: How the Rebates Add Up

To give you a real-world picture of potential savings, here are two common system examples:

Example 1 – Small Residential Installation
BYD HVM Battery (13.8kWh)

• WA Rebate: 10kWh × $380 = $3,800
• Federal Rebate: 13.8kWh × $335 = $4,623

✅ Total Combined Rebate: $8,423

Example 2 – Larger Residential Installation
BYD HVM Battery (22.08kWh)

• WA Rebate: 10kWh × $380 = $3,800
• Federal Rebate: 22.08kWh × $335 = $7,388

✅ Total Combined Rebate: $11,188

That’s over $11,000 in savings—bringing a premium battery system within reach for more Broome families.

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🔋 How Much Battery Capacity Do I Need?

This is one of the most common questions we hear—and it depends on both your energy habits and why you want a battery. If you’re looking to store solar energy for use at night and early morning (known as ‘peak-shifting’), here’s a general guide:

• 🏠 2-bedroom home: 10–14kWh
• 🏡 3-bedroom home: 12–16kWh
• 🏘️ 4-bedroom home: 15–20kWh

The great thing about our BYD HVM battery is that it’s modular—built from stackable 2.76kWh cells. You can start with what you need now, and add more later as your needs grow.We can also advise on how to optimise your energy usage, such as using timers on pool pumps, hot water systems, irrigation pumps, and other loads to align with your solar production.

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📞 Need Help with the Battery Rebates?

Solar Microgrids Australia is based right here in Broome and we’re ready to help you navigate these new rebates. From system design, to installation and financing – we’ve got you covered.

Contact Us Today

By taking advantage of these updated rebates, you can dramatically lower the cost of installing a battery system – while making your home smarter, greener, and more resilient.