The recent decision by the New South Wales (NSW) Government to discontinue its home battery installation rebate has caused significant concern among homeowners and small solar and battery installation businesses. This move, announced just weeks before the commencement of the Federal Government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program on July 1, 2025, has been perceived as abrupt and lacking in adequate consultation.

Background:

Federal Rebate: The Australian Government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program offers an upfront discount of approximately 30% on the cost of installing a home battery system, aiming to make battery storage more accessible to households and small businesses.
NSW Rebate Discontinuation: In light of the federal initiative, the NSW Government has decided to end its own battery installation rebate, redirecting its focus towards incentivising connections to Virtual Power Plants (VPPs). From July 1, 2025, NSW households and small businesses can receive up to $1,500 for connecting their battery systems to a VPP.

Concerns:

Lack of Consultation: Industry stakeholders have expressed that the sudden policy shift was implemented without adequate consultation, leading to operational and financial challenges for small businesses in the solar and battery installation sector.
Impact on Businesses: The abrupt announcement has resulted in project cancellations and financial losses for businesses that had planned installations based on the continuation of the NSW rebate.  

Petition Objective:

To urge the NSW Government to reinstate the NSW Battery Installation Rebate:

Reconsider the discontinuation of the rebate to support homeowners and small businesses in adopting battery storage solutions.

Ensure Stackability with Federal Rebate:

Allow the NSW rebate to be combined with the Federal Government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program, maximising benefits for consumers.
Engage in Transparent Consultation: Commit to transparent and inclusive consultation processes with industry stakeholders for future policy developments.

We, the undersigned, call on the NSW Government to address these concerns promptly to support the growth of renewable energy adoption and protect the interests of consumers and small businesses in the state.

Please sign this petition to advocate for the reinstatement of the NSW battery installation rebate and the fair treatment of stakeholders in the renewable energy sector.