Are Solar Batteries Worth It in 2026?

You don’t have to be a renewable energy aficionado to have noticed the rise in the popularity of solar batteries. With feed-in tariffs (the money you receive for exporting your excess solar power to the grid) declining significantly, batteries offer owners the chance to increase their energy independence. Using a solar battery helps you generate, store, and use your power on your terms, and enjoy life without the hassle of blackouts or high electricity bills. However, are solar batteries a good solution for everyone? Are solar batteries worth it? 

Do I need a solar battery?

The intricacies of incorporating a solar battery mean nothing if you don’t require one. So, do you need a solar battery?

If you’re considering the switch to solar energy, or if you’ve already got a basic panel and inverter system, it’s almost imperative to have a battery incorporated into your system.

Why? Well, with feed-in tariffs continuously declining into insignificance, you’re no longer being adequately compensated for the cost of pulling power from the grid when the sun’s down.

This is criminally wasteful – earlier in the day you generated enough energy to keep your house running after dusk! So, to make your system efficient and economical and to get solar working for you, you need a battery storage solution.

Are solar batteries affordable?

Some people object to getting a solar battery on the basis of cost. This expense is dependent on the battery's size and capability – the greater the kilowatt hour (kWh) capacity, the higher the price.

Solar batteries are more affordable than ever, thanks to once-in-a-lifetime battery rebates now available. The range is somewhere around $4,500 all the way up to $18,000 (this is without installation costs).

Solar batteries require long-term vision – over time, your ongoing savings and increased energy independence offset the upfront cost.

How much solar battery storage will I need?

This is an important question to ask – if you buy a battery that’s bigger than you need and that you can’t fill, the extra expense is money wasted. With some minor investigating of your most recent electrical bill, you can locate your ‘average daily usage’ and find the numerical figure of kWh you use. From this, you can begin to craft an idea of the capacity of solar battery size you’ll need.

If this seems like a confusing process, don’t worry. Plico has a team of specialists, and we can come out to your property for an obligation-free appraisal, letting you know the optimal size of your solar + battery solution.

Sooner than we think, more of us will be charging an EV with solar panels at home, so you'll want to ensure your system can cope with this increased demand.

How long do solar batteries last?

Solar batteries last between five to twenty-five years, but different solar battery types have different estimated lifespans. Additionally, a higher-quality battery will last longer.

Most modern lithium batteries are rated for between 4,000 and 10,000 cycles, equating to around fifteen years of productivity. When looking at which solar battery system to invest in, take note of the warranty attached.

How much money will I save with a solar battery?

 Savings from a solar battery depend on how much energy you use, when you use it, and how much solar you generate during the day. By storing excess solar and using it at night, a battery can reduce how much electricity you buy from the grid, particularly during peak pricing periods. 

Beat blackouts with the right solar battery

Blackouts, or power outages, occur when electricity demand exceeds supply, causing power failures. Blackouts can impact many suburbs at once and last for long periods. They’re extremely inconvenient for residents as they can cause fridges to warm and food to go off; air conditioners and heaters won’t work, so temperatures can be uncomfortable; there’s a new issue that electric car owners won’t be able to charge their cars.

A solar battery can provide backup power during outages, allowing essential appliances in your home to keep running if the grid goes down. For electric vehicle owners, this may also mean being able to continue charging your car, depending on the system setup and the amount of stored energy available.

What if I already have solar panels but want to add a battery?

You might be tempted by the benefits of installing a solar battery, but be wondering how it works if you already have a solar-only system. Plico can add a solar battery to your existing solar system. 

There’s a high demand for retrofit solar batteries, and it makes sense since the lifespan of solar panels is longer than that of batteries. We have battery technology that’s purpose-made for adding to an existing system. View our battery-only products.

What are the disadvantages of using solar batteries?

As we’ve already touched on, for most, the major detraction of solar batteries is their upfront price tag (something Plico members don’t need to worry about). Other disincentivising factors could be the increased maintenance of your system and the worry of having to go through the process all over again if the lifespan of your battery is short.

We understand these concerns, and that’s one of the major incentives that drove us to provide ten years of ongoing support – to ensure that our members are able to maximise the benefits of using clean, renewable energy in a way that is better than shared community batteries.

Read our article on getting the most out of your solar battery to ensure there isn’t a solution to the disadvantage you‘re thinking of.

So, are solar batteries worth it in 2026?

In 2026, solar batteries are more worth it than ever, with battery rebates, improved technology, longer lifespans, and Plico's innovative no-upfront-cost model making them accessible to more households.  As solar feed-in tariffs continue to drop to negligible levels, solar panels just don't make sense without a battery. Without a battery, you’re paying for your electricity as soon as the sun disappears. Conversely, a battery gives you the confidence to be in total control of your power – even blackouts become a thing of the past. In addition, your financial savings increase significantly when your system has a battery, and if you partner with Plico, you won’t have those big upfront costs to worry about.

Click the following link to read our post on the best solar battery in Australia.

Want to know how much a Plico solar + battery solution could save you? Get in contact with us and we’ll be able to give you a better idea of the money you could be saving.

Have a question about solar + battery?