Installing solar and a battery at home is an investment that’s paying off for many Australians. Learn how smart customers are realising returns faster than ever by working with their energy providers to maximise the benefits.
Home batteries: How to supercharge your savings
Already have a home battery? You’re in a great position to unlock more value — not just in savings, but in smarter energy use and simple rewards. Here’s how to take your setup to the next level.
Join a Virtual Power Plant (VPP)
A Virtual Power Plant or VPP is a network of connected solar batteries that lets the energy grid use excess stored power during peak demand periods. This helps to stabilise the grid and put solar energy to better use.
By changing your energy plan and joining a VPP, you can earn savings in the form of bill credits – helping you pay off your solar and battery systems faster. Even if the grid doesn’t need to tap into your battery for a few months, you still receive bill credits as a thank you for staying connected. Because when you join a VPP, you’re putting your hand up to support the grid when it’s under pressure, while helping to reduce Australia’s reliance on fossil fuels.
When you bring your own battery to AGL’s VPP and we confirm eligibility, you’ll get:
A $200 welcome credit for joining
Ongoing quarterly bill credits while you stay — from $20 (VIC, NSW, QLD) to $45 (SA) every 3 months
Peak time credits —$1 for every kWh we charge or discharge from your battery during VPP events.
If you’re in NSW, you might also be eligible for an additional financial incentive thanks to the NSW Government’s Peak Demand Reduction Scheme when you connect your new solar home battery to a VPP.
Maximise your battery’s earning potential
Your energy plan can impact how quickly you see a return on your home battery and maximise its earning potential. A plan with time-of-use (TOU) tariffs is a great option. With a TOU plan, you pay different rates for electricity at different times of the day. Having a battery means you can use your own energy or sell back to the grid when rates are higher, and rely on the grid when electricity rates are cheaper (during off-peak hours).
Look out for a plan that offers:
Cheaper rates during the day: On cloudy days, when your solar system can’t generate the power you need, you can top up your battery for less.
Extra rewards or higher rates for selling back electricity: Lets you turn your excess energy into rewards by exporting it to the grid.
AGL’s Battery Rewards Plan is designed specifically for home battery owners in NSW, QLD, SA and VIC, helping you optimise your savings, and giving you additional rewards for supporting the grid when demand is high. And stacking the benefits of the Battery Rewards Plan with the automatic payments from being connected to AGL’s VPP will boost your savings even further, turning your battery into a financial asset.
Get smart with sharing and shifting Most battery systems let you automate when and how much energy you export. Selling your excess power during peak demand times (typically between 5pm and 9pm) will earn you premium rates.
Be strategic with your setup by:
Switching on TOU or time-based controls – to sell energy when you get the best rates
Scheduling exports during peak hours, if you can spare it
Choosing to retain enough energy for your own consumption during peak times.
These small shifts can help you reduce your battery payback period, making sure your system is working smarter. AGL's Battery Rewards Plan amplifies the benefits. Export at least 1kWh from your solar battery to the grid between 5pm and 9pm and you earn gift cards every quarter. For example, if you export 560-600kWh between 5pm-9pm every 3 months, you could get a $150 Digital Prepaid Visa gift card. That’s $600 in a year.
You can also shift your energy usage habits to make the most of your solar power during the day. By setting up timers to run your dishwasher, washing machine and pool pumps during peak sunlight hours (typically 11am–2pm in winter and 10am–4pm in summer), you’ll reduce your evening load. You can also pre-heat or cool your home in daylight hours. Then you’ll have more power to use or sell back to the grid when prices hit their peak.
Your battery isn’t just a backup — it’s an investment in smarter energy management that can save you money. With the right plan, settings, and habits, you can make every kilowatt count.
Find the right solution with a solar and battery bundle that works for you
Learn more about getting a solar battery bundle with AGL.
