The short answer
No. To get the federal battery rebate, your battery has to be able to join a Virtual Power Plant, but you don't have to join one. Joining can earn you credits or payments, and in NSW a one-off payment, in return for letting your provider use some of your battery at busy times.
What a Virtual Power Plant is
A Virtual Power Plant links thousands of home batteries together. At busy times, when the grid needs power, your provider draws a little from your battery and pays you for it.
It's run by your electricity retailer or a separate provider, through your battery's internet connection.
Able to join vs actually joining
For the federal rebate, your battery has to be able to join a Virtual Power Plant. That's about the battery, not a contract, and almost every approved battery can.
Whether you actually join is up to you, now or later.
How much the rebate is worthWhat you get, and what you give up
- Credits on your bill, payments each time your battery is used, or a sign-up bonus, depending on the provider
- In NSW, a one-off payment for connecting to an approved Virtual Power Plant
- Some say over when your battery charges and discharges at busy times
- Often a contract with your retailer, so check the plan's rates as well as the payments
Keeping enough for yourself
Most plans let you keep a reserve in your battery for your own evening or for a blackout. Check what the plan allows before you join, and we'll set the battery up to suit.
