Kiama was full of energy last Tuesday at the Local Battery Bulk Buy and Information Sessions, hosted by Kiama-based solar and battery company The Energy Experts.

Around 250 people attended either the 10:30 am or 5:45 pm session at Kiama Pavilion, where The Energy Experts - alongside partners Sun People and Easther Electrical - educated locals on the importance of investing in a quality home battery system.

“There were about 250 people, which was huge. We're based here in Kiama, and I think that really appealed to people who want to support local,” said Carolyn Lee, one of the directors at The Energy Experts.

“It’s a hot topic right now. A lot of people are looking into batteries - or already getting them - because of the 30% federal rebate and the New South Wales government incentive,” she said.

The national battery rebate program, which launched on 1 July, has seen more than 16,000 batteries installed across Australia in its first 28 days. 

In the Illawarra region alone, hundreds have been installed since the program went live. Experts estimate that the $2.3 billion rebate pool could be fully allocated within 12 months at the current rate of uptake.

Approximately 250 people attended one of the sessions

Lee noted that the combination of rising power costs, falling solar feed-in tariffs, and the introduction of the new "sun tax" in July has created a “perfect storm” for battery adoption.

“People are seeing the benefits more than ever. But with that demand, it’s crucial they’re informed - not just rushing into it without understanding what makes a battery safe, reliable, and worth the investment,” she said.

Attendees at the sessions learned not only about battery quality but also about how Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) work - an area that sparked particular interest.

“People were really intrigued by the VPP concept - how you can sell your stored energy back to the grid when it’s under pressure and actually make money,” Lee explained.

“There’s also the potential to recharge your battery cheaply - or even for free - when there’s abundant renewable energy in the grid. It means you’re not just saving money, but potentially earning it.”

For those who couldn’t attend, Lee encourages locals to still do their research and reach out for support.

“They can contact us directly. We’ve got a Battery Storage Buying Guide we’re happy to share. There are a lot of cheap options flooding the market, and we want to help people in Kiama choose high-quality systems that will serve them well for years.”

“You only get the rebate once - so it makes sense to invest in a system that’s the right size and quality for your needs.”

Additional resources, including the buying guide, are available on The Energy Experts website.