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Does the Victorian government battery subsidy make sense?

Great question!

The Victorian government has announced a raft of solar power-related subsidies including paying half the cost of an 11kW battery, up to the value of $4838, for households with incomes less than $180,000.

But, as Paul Higgins highlights in the below article from The Age, does it make economic sense?

Firstly, homeowners have to pay at least $4838 themselves.

The government claims households will save $650 a year.

Paul crunches the numbers to find out that it will take 24 years to pay back his $4838 'investment' based on his 9.86kW system and current usage profile.

The lesson? If you have a solar system and the government is trying to encourage you to spend $4838 on the promise of a 7-year payback, be sure to crunch the numbers carefully, or risk losing money.

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Why I can’t make any economic sense out of the battery subsidy plan

15 September 2018 | The Age | Paul Higgins

It looks like the state is subsidising people to lose money, with the Victorian government announcing a battery subsidy program for people on less than $180,000 household income.

The government is saying,  "A household installing an average 11-kilowatt battery could save around $650 a year on their electricity bills, boosting the savings they are already making with solar panels."

Let’s assume that you can buy an 11kW battery system for $9676 (although it is likely to be more than that fully installed). You will be subsidised 50 per cent of the cost, leaving your out-of-pocket cost at $4838.

Source: Why I can’t make any economic sense out of the battery subsidy plan