Published 2026 pricing guides put most installed home batteries at roughly $700 to $1,000 per usable kWh after the federal discount, and a few premium or small units outside that. Treat that as a range, not a price list. Your quote depends on brand, whether you need a new inverter or switchboard work, and how hard the site is.
How the discount is built
For a battery installed in 2026 the factor is 6.8 STCs per kWh (at the time of writing, stepping to 5.7 on 1 January 2027 and 5.2 on 1 July 2027). Since 1 May 2026 the first 14 kWh counts at 100 percent, 14 to 28 kWh at 60 percent and 28 to 50 kWh at 15 percent. STCs are rounded down. With STCs at roughly $38 to $40 at the time of writing, each STC is worth around that.
Worked examples at 6.8
| Battery | STCs | Discount at about $38 to $40 |
|---|---|---|
| 10 kWh | 68 | roughly $2,580 to $2,720 |
| 13.5 kWh | 91 | roughly $3,460 to $3,640 |
| 20 kWh | 119 | roughly $4,520 to $4,760 |
The 20 kWh figure is 14 kWh at full rate plus 6 kWh at 60 percent. Doubling the battery does not double the discount.
What typical installed prices look like
Using the guide range above, a 10 kWh system lands around $8,000 to $11,000 after the discount and a 13 to 13.5 kWh system around $10,000 to $13,000. A 20 kWh system costs more again but gives a lower net cost per kWh at the margin only if the installer’s price per kWh drops faster than the rebate does. Ask for the quote in two parts: the full price and the STC line. That way you can compare like with like. See how much a 10 kWh battery costs after rebate.
What moves the price
- Brand and cell chemistry, and whether the battery is AC or DC coupled.
- Inverter replacement or hybrid upgrade.
- Switchboard, cable runs and location rules under AS/NZS 5139.
- The STC value the installer applies, which tracks the market.
- State incentives and VPP offers, which sit on top; see battery rebate VPP incentive stack.
From the desk: a very low quote can be a smaller usable capacity, a model that is not on the CEC-approved list, or a discount calculated on an optimistic STC price. Check the usable kWh and the STC count on the quote.
Run your own numbers in the battery STC calculator and read the scheme basics on battery STCs. Installers can see what STCs are worth to them on pricing.