Most Australian homes save more money with solar panels and battery together, but not every household needs one.
A battery adds $8,000 to $14,000 to your solar installation. That’s a real chunk of money, and the payback depends entirely on how much electricity you use after sunset. If your household barely runs anything at night, that battery might sit half-empty.
This article compares a 6.6kW solar system with and without battery storage. We run the numbers on costs, bill savings, payback periods, and blackout protection so you can make the right call for your home.
SolaXs installs both solar-only and solar-plus-battery systems on the Mid North Coast. Compare the 6.6kW solar package with the 10kW solar + battery package or get a free quote for your specific home.
How Solar Panels and Battery Storage Work Together
Without a battery, your solar panels generate electricity during the day and feed any surplus into the grid. Your retailer pays you a feed-in tariff of 5 to 8 cents per kWh for that exported power. Then at night, you buy electricity back from the grid at 30 to 40 cents per kWh. You’re selling low and buying high.
A battery changes that equation. Instead of exporting surplus solar for 5 cents, you store it and use it at night. Every kWh stored and used is worth 30+ cents in avoided grid charges. A typical 10kWh battery saves the difference on 8 to 10kWh of electricity every evening.
- Solar only: Panels generate power during sunlight hours. Surplus exported for 5 to 8c/kWh. Evening and overnight power bought from the grid at full price.
- Solar + battery: Panels charge the battery during the day. Battery powers the home from late afternoon through to morning. Grid is only needed when the battery runs flat.
On the Mid North Coast, a well-sized system with battery can cover 70 to 85% of a household’s total electricity use. Solar alone typically covers 30 to 40% because so much usage happens after the sun goes down.
What Does a 6.6kW System Cost With and Without a Battery?
A 6.6kW solar system without battery storage costs between $4,500 and $7,000 installed after the federal STC rebate. Add a 10kWh battery and the total jumps to $14,000 to $20,000 depending on the battery brand and whether you need a hybrid inverter.
| Solar Only (6.6kW) | Solar + 10kWh Battery | |
|---|---|---|
| Panels + inverter | $4,500 to $7,000 | $4,500 to $7,000 |
| Battery unit | N/A | $8,000 to $12,000 |
| Hybrid inverter upgrade | N/A | Included or +$1,500 |
| Total installed | $4,500 to $7,000 | $14,000 to $20,000 |
| Annual bill savings | $1,200 to $1,800 | $2,000 to $3,200 |
| Payback period | 3 to 4 years | 6 to 8 years |
The solar-only system pays for itself roughly twice as fast. But the battery system saves more money per year and delivers a higher total return over 15 to 20 years. It depends on whether you optimise for speed of return or total lifetime savings.
How Much Will Solar Panels and Battery Save You?
The savings gap between solar-only and solar-plus-battery comes down to one number: how many kilowatt-hours you use between 5pm and 7am. That’s when the battery earns its keep.
A typical Mid North Coast household
A three-bedroom home using 25kWh per day, with 60% of that usage after sunset, saves roughly $800 to $1,400 more per year with a battery than without one. Over the 10-year battery warranty period, that’s $8,000 to $14,000 in additional savings.
- Solar only: Saves $1,200 to $1,800/year by offsetting daytime usage and earning feed-in credits
- Solar + battery: Saves $2,000 to $3,200/year by also eliminating most evening grid purchases
- The gap: The battery adds $800 to $1,400/year in extra savings on a typical household
Households using more than 30kWh per day see the biggest battery benefit because they have more evening load to offset. A retired couple using 12kWh per day might only save an extra $400 per year with a battery, which stretches the payback beyond 10 years.
When a Battery Doesn’t Make Financial Sense
Not every home benefits from a battery. Some households are better off with solar panels alone and should invest the $8,000 to $12,000 battery cost elsewhere.
- Low evening usage: If you’re home during the day and use most power while the sun shines, solar alone covers your needs. Retirees and work-from-home households sometimes fall into this camp.
- High feed-in tariff: If your retailer pays 10+ cents per kWh for exports, the financial gap between exporting and storing narrows. Below 8 cents, storage wins clearly.
- Tight budget: Solar-only at $5,000 to $7,000 is within reach for most households. Adding a battery doubles or triples the upfront cost.
- Moving soon: A battery needs 6 to 8 years to pay back. If you’re selling the house in 3 years, you won’t recoup the investment even with the property value bump.
If any of these apply to you, start with solar panels only. You can always add a battery later when your circumstances change or battery prices drop further.
When Adding a Battery Pays for Itself Quickly
Some households get a battery payback in under six years. The common factor is high evening electricity use combined with a low feed-in tariff.
- Large families: Four or more people with evening cooking, laundry, heating/cooling, and entertainment. Quarterly bills over $600 before solar.
- Electric vehicle owners: Charging an EV overnight from a battery instead of the grid saves 25 to 35 cents per kWh. A daily 10kWh charge saves $900+ per year.
- Pool pump households: Pools with after-hours filtration cycles pull 5 to 8kWh per day. A battery covers that without grid power.
- Time-of-use tariff customers: If your peak rate is 45+ cents/kWh between 4pm and 9pm, a battery avoids the most expensive electricity of the day.
The federal battery STC rebate knocks $2,500 to $3,000 off the price of a 10kWh battery. This rebate didn’t exist before 2025, which means batteries are more financially viable now than they’ve ever been. Check the Clean Energy Regulator for current rebate rates.
What About Blackout Protection?
This is where the financial comparison misses something. A battery with backup capability keeps your lights, fridge, and internet running during a grid outage. Solar panels alone shut down during a blackout because the inverter disconnects for safety.
On the Mid North Coast, storm season brings occasional multi-hour outages. A 10kWh battery can power essential circuits for 8 to 12 hours depending on what you run. That won’t keep the air conditioning going, but it handles lights, fridge, phones, and internet.
- Not all battery systems include backup automatically. You need a hybrid inverter with backup functionality and a dedicated backup circuit wired into your switchboard.
- Adding backup to a system that doesn’t already have it costs $500 to $1,500 for the switchboard work.
- Some batteries (like Tesla Powerwall) include backup as standard. Others require an additional gateway unit.
According to the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, battery installations with backup capability have been the fastest-growing segment of residential solar since the battery STC was introduced.
The Right Choice for Mid North Coast Homes
For most homes on the Mid North Coast using 20kWh or more per day, solar panels and battery together are the better long-term investment. The battery adds cost upfront, but the extra $800 to $1,400 per year in savings means it pays for itself within the warranty period, and you get blackout protection as a bonus.
If your budget is tight or your usage is low, start with a 6.6kW solar system and add a battery in two to three years when prices have dropped further. Make sure your installer fits a hybrid inverter now so the battery retrofit is plug-and-play.
- Best value for high-usage homes: Solar + battery from day one
- Best value for low-usage homes: Solar only, battery later
- Best value for EV owners: Solar + battery, sized to cover overnight charging
SolaXs has installed solar and battery systems across the Mid North Coast for over 25 years. Contact the team for a free assessment that compares both options based on your actual electricity bills and roof layout. CEC-accredited, local crew, no subcontractors.