Why Solar and Battery Prices are Changing: What 70ways Wants You to Know for 2026
Solar power and home battery systems will likely cost Australians more from January 2026 due to rebate reductions. But other factors beyond our shores could put added upward pressure on local system prices. 70ways is here to break down what’s happening and how you can still secure the best deal.
What’s Happening With Solar And Battery Prices?
Scheduled rebate reductions in Australia for solar and battery systems come into play on January 1, 2026. Added to that, manufacturers are reportedly warning international buyers that prices will be going up throughout 2026 due to international market intervention, and battery prices will also head north.
Let’s look at the local rebate situation in 2026 first. It’s around this time of the year we usually start seeing advertising screaming that solar rebates are reducing. However, at 70ways, we are seeing huge demand triggered by the Cheaper Home Batteries program, with many installation books already filling up fast for 2026.
Solar Panel Rebate Reduction: Jan 1, 2026
Australia’s solar panel rebate operates under the nation’s Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) and is based on STCs. The value of the STCs (minus admin fees) is offered as an up-front discount by 70ways on the cost of your system.
Because the SRES reduces every year until 2031, waiting until 2026 will cost you more:
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Example: A 10kW system installed in Brisbane this year is entitled to 82 STCs (approx. $2,952 off).
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The 2026 Change: The same system installed on January 1, 2026, will only be entitled to 69 STCs (approx. $2,484).
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The Result: You lose about $468 in savings just by waiting for the New Year.
Home Battery Rebate Decrease: Jan 1, 2026
The Cheaper Home Batteries program also sees a reduction.
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Currently: An eligible 13 kWh battery attracts a rebate of around $4,440.
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January 1, 2026: That same battery will only get around $4,033.
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The Gap: Between solar and battery reductions, a combined system will cost you roughly $875 more starting January 2026.
Global Market Shifts and Chinese Government Intervention
There is another factor beyond our shores that 70ways is monitoring closely. An ongoing pricing war in the solar supply chain has seen the Chinese Government step in.
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Production Cuts: New guidelines have restricted the expansion of polysilicon (the material in solar cells), reducing production rates to 55-70%. This is driving material costs up.
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Export Rebate Cancellation: This quarter, the Chinese government dropped a rebate previously applied to exports of panels and energy storage systems. Since China supplies over 90% of the lithium iron phosphate battery packs used in Australia, this will directly impact global pricing.
The 70ways Advice: Don’t Rush, But Don’t Wait Too Long
Paying more is never pleasant, but at 70ways, we believe buying a system that isn’t fit for purpose or shoddily installed is even worse. We are moving from a phase where solar was “unsustainably cheap” to a phase where it is simply “very cheap.”
With 70ways installers seeing high demand through the end of the year, now is the perfect time to research your options. By making a decision before the calendar flips to 2026, you ensure you get the maximum rebate and the best “bang for your buck.”