Frequently Asked Questions

Your own Summit + Shore my energy app, 24/7 monitoring, one free annual call out, proactive maintenance, firmware updates, and priority support.

Yes. You can transfer the plan to your new house once we’ve complete an Energy Health Check.

There may be a short interruption (usually under an hour) while we connect your system.

Most systems are installed in 1–2 days, depending on size and complexity.

The Federal rebate applies to homeowners. Renters may benefit if the property owner applies. Our team can provide advice if you’re renting and want to explore options.

The rebate is applied upfront as a discount on your invoice. We handle the certificates and admin so you won’t be chasing refunds.

Yes. We follow SAA standards and use non-invasive testing methods, so there’s no risk of damage to panels, batteries, or wiring.

No. Most of the assessment is non-intrusive. If a temporary shutdown is needed, it’s brief and scheduled with you.

We go beyond one-off installations. With expert technicians, premium components, and our ongoing Energy Protection Plan, we ensure your system performs at its best long after installation. Our goal is long-term savings, resilience, and peace of mind.

Yes. Many customers choose to continue with our Energy Protection Plan for ongoing monitoring, maintenance, and proactive care, keeping performance high and problems low.

The assessment itself isn’t part of your manufacturer’s warranty, but it can help identify warranty-eligible faults early, saving you money and ensuring claims are made while coverage is active.

You’ll get a comprehensive performance report, outlining issues found, improvements made, and clear recommendations for maximising efficiency and savings.

Yes. We assess and optimise systems regardless of the original installer or equipment brand. Our team is experienced across all major technologies.

Most assessments take 2 to 3 hours on site, depending on system size and complexity. You’ll receive a clear report and tailored recommendations afterwards.

Most systems benefit from assessment. Whether your system is new, established, or ageing, a health check ensures it’s performing at its best, identifies hidden issues, and uncovers opportunities for greater savings.

A 10-year-old system is ideal for assessment. Technology has advanced significantly, and many systems can be enhanced with new inverters, additional capacity, or reconfiguration. We’ll help you decide whether upgrading or replacing delivers better value.

Yes. Batteries require specialised assessment to manage charge cycles, software updates, and integration efficiency. This maximises lifespan and ensures reliable performance.

Definitely. High energy users benefit most from consumption analysis and load shifting. Large households, home offices, or properties with pools often see substantial savings when usage is optimised.

Yes. A health check ensures your current system can support an EV charger. Assessing capacity and configuration first prevents costly mistakes and enables smooth, efficient expansion.

Not at all. Established systems often show the greatest potential for improvement. Inverter settings can be updated, batteries optimised, and integration with EVs or other new technologies enabled.

Yes. Recent installations benefit from performance verification and early optimisation. Even well-installed systems can be fine-tuned, and early checks help identify warranty issues while coverage is active.

Our expert team is here to help. Contact us for personalised advice about your specific situation and energy goals. Every home is different, and we tailor solutions to maximise your savings.

From initial assessment to system activation, the process typically takes 2-4 weeks. We’ll provide a clear timeline during your consultation and keep you updated every step of the way.

Book your free energy assessment. We’ll analyse your current energy usage, any existing solar performance, and calculate your exact rebate entitlement and potential savings.

Our Energy Protection Plan provides 24/7 monitoring, proactive maintenance, performance optimisation, and expert guidance throughout your system’s life. We’re your long-term partner in energy independence.

Battery storage is the foundation of energy independence. Once you have solar and battery, adding EV charging, heat pumps, and electric appliances becomes much more cost-effective and sustainable.

The program runs until 2030, with rebates decreasing each year. However, your battery system will continue to deliver savings for 10-15+ years, regardless of when rebates end.

Most other state battery rebates ended on 30 June 2025, when the federal rebate launched. However, some states offer additional incentives, and we’ll let you know as part of our quote.

In Western Australia, you can combine the Federal rebate with the WA state battery rebate for total savings of up to $5,000 (Synergy customers) or $7,500 (Horizon Power customers) on a 10 kWh system.

Yes. We offer flexible financing options to make battery installation more affordable. When combined with the Federal rebate, many customers find their monthly savings offset a significant portion of their repayments and in some cases, savings exceed the payments entirely.

Battery technology has come a long way. Just a few years ago, batteries often weren’t worth installing because you wouldn’t be cash flow positive. But with massive tech improvements and now the Federal rebate, it’s become a no-brainer for most households. Payback periods are now typically 5-7 years, and many customers find their monthly savings actually exceed their monthly payments when financed. Our Energy Protection Plan monitoring ensures you achieve maximum returns throughout your system’s life.

Government analysis shows that households adding a battery to their existing solar system could save up to $1,100 per year on power bills. A home installing new solar plus battery could save up to $2,300 per year, up to 90% of typical electricity costs.

You can add additional battery capacity to your existing system and receive the rebate for the new batteries, but only if your property hasn’t already claimed any rebate under this program. Once you’ve received the rebate once, no further additions will be eligible for additional rebates at that property.

You can install systems larger than 50 kWh, but the rebate only applies to the first 50 kWh of usable capacity. We’ll help you determine the optimal sizing to maximise both your rebate and long-term value.

The rebate is applied as an immediate discount on your installation invoice. You see the savings upfront, not as a later refund.

You don’t need to do anything! Here’s how it works: when you install a battery, the government creates 9.3 certificates for every kWh of capacity. These certificates have real cash value that energy companies are required to buy.

As your accredited installer, we handle the entire process – we claim the certificates, sell them, and pass the money straight back to you as an instant discount on your invoice. No forms, no waiting, no admin headaches. You see the full savings upfront.

Both the battery system and the inverter must be listed on the Clean Energy Council (CEC) approved product list. We only recommend and install CEC-approved systems that meet all safety and quality standards.

Not necessarily. We assess your existing solar and electrical infrastructure during our site visit to determine the best integration approach. Most existing systems can accommodate battery storage.

Battery installation must be completed by an installer accredited by Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA). Summit + Shore holds full SAA accreditation, so you’re covered.

No, there are no income restrictions. The rebate is available to all eligible homeowners, regardless of household income.

Virtual Power Plant (VPP) sounds fancy, but it’s actually pretty simple. It’s like having your battery join a team with thousands of other batteries across Australia. When the grid needs extra power during peak times, such as heatwaves, your battery can chip in and help out while you get paid for it. However, your battery always stores your solar energy first and only shares excess power when you don’t need it. You don’t have to join a VPP, but your battery needs to be VPP-ready to qualify for the federal rebate. Having that capability is like buying a ute with a tow bar; even if you’re not planning to tow anything tomorrow, it may come in handy someday.

Your battery must be VPP-capable, but you don’t need to actually join a VPP. The system just needs to have the technical ability to connect if you choose to in the future.

Battery systems with a nominal capacity between 5 kWh and 100 kWh are eligible for this program. However, the rebate only applies to the first 50 kWh of usable capacity.

Absolutely! The rebate specifically applies to adding battery storage to existing solar systems. This is actually the most common scenario we see.

Yes, your battery must be paired with either existing or new rooftop solar panels. You cannot claim the rebate for a standalone battery system without solar.

You can claim one rebate per property. If you own multiple properties, you can claim the rebate for each address, provided each has its own electricity meter.

Good question, this is where transparency matters. The government says the rebate could be “up to $372 per kWh”, but this is the theoretical maximum if certificates sell for their absolute peak value of $40 each. In reality, after transaction fees, administration costs, and current market conditions, certificates typically sell for around $37 each. That’s where our $344 per kWh figure comes from – it’s what you’ll actually receive, not what looks good in marketing.

Install as early as possible. While battery costs are expected to drop over the same period, early installation maximises both rebate value and cost savings. The 2025 rebate offers the highest financial benefit, and with installer capacity constraints anticipated, early booking helps avoid potential delays.

The Cheaper Home Batteries Program rebate follows a structured annual decline schedule designed to encourage early adoption whilst accounting for expected battery cost reductions:

2025 (Current Year)

• Rebate: $344 per usable kWh (after fees)
• 10 usable kWh battery discount: ~$3,440

2026

• Rebate: $311 per usable kWh (9.6% decline)
• 10 usable kWh battery discount: ~$3,110

2027-2029

• Annual decline: Approximately 9-10% per year
• Rates reviewed annually based on market conditions

2030 (Final Year)

• Rebate: ~$185 per usable kWh (46% reduction from 2025)
• 10 usable kWh battery discount: ~$1,850
• Program concludes at year-end

Here’s what your savings actually look like: the government creates 9.3 certificates for every kWh of battery you install. Each certificate is worth around $37 in real money after all the fees and admin costs are sorted. That works out to about $344 per kWh of actual savings in your pocket.

We use the actual figure, not the theoretical maximum, to provide you with realistic savings expectations. Here are some examples:

• 10 kWh battery: Around $3,440 rebate
• 13.5 kWh battery: Around $4,644 rebate
• 16 kWh battery: Around $5,504 rebate
• 20 kWh battery: Around $6,880 rebate
• 30 kWh battery: Around $10,320 rebate
• 40 kWh battery: Around $13,760 rebate
• 50 kWh battery: Around $17,200 rebate

The Cheaper Home Batteries Program is a $2.3 billion Federal Government initiative that can help you take control of your energy storage. From 1 July 2025, you can get around 30% off the upfront cost of battery installations – that’s up to $3,440 off a typical 10 kWh system.

We’ll detect most issues remotely, often before you notice. If needed, we’ll dispatch a technician quickly under your plan’s priority service.

You can transfer the plan to the new homeowner or cancel with no penalties.

Our contracts on our Energy Protection Plan are for 12 months.  After the first 12 months you can cancel with 30 days notice.