More than four million homes have invested in rooftop solar panels, but less than three per cent are currently utilising solar battery solutions.
This is despite the introduction of the federal government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program which began July 1, 2025.
Alongside the introduction of the program there has been double digit increases in electricity prices across Australia.
The Australian Energy Regulator's latest determination reveals NSW residents face the steepest electricity price rises, with increases between 8.3% and 9.7% from July 2025.
Meanwhile, transmission infrastructure costs have soared, with overhead transmission line costs jumping as high as 55 per cent.
CSIRO's GenCost analysis consistently shows that renewables backed by storage and transmission remain the lowest-cost new-build electricity generation technologies in Australia, with utility-scale solar emerging as the standout performer despite supply chain pressures.
SMA Australia managing director, John Alexander, said large-scale batteries with grid-forming battery inverters are a game-changer for Australia's energy system.
"They can provide the same grid stability services as expensive synchronous condensers or gas plants, but do it faster, cleaner, and often without requiring new transmission infrastructure,” he said.
Australia already leads the world in demonstrating battery storage success. In the first quarter of 2025, the country invested in six large-scale battery storage projects worth a combined $2.4 billion.
The projects added 1.5GW of storage capacity and 5GWh of energy output, making it the second-highest quarterly figure on record.
In 2025 alone, Alexander said over 2 GW of projects using SMA grid forming technology have achieved grid approval across Australia and New Zealand.
“The technology is proving its worth across Australia's challenging grid conditions. In a country with vast distances between energy demand centres and generation sources, strategically located battery systems can reduce transmission bottlenecks while providing essential grid stability services,” he said.
"The decisions Australia makes today about renewable energy infrastructure will directly determine electricity costs for decades to come.”