Solargain Highlights Success of Cheaper Home Batteries Program with Government Leaders in Regional Victoria
PRESS RELEASE
Perth, Australia, 19th February 2026
Updated: 22nd February 2026 - Added further comments.
Perth, Australia– Solargain, one of Australia’s leading solar and battery specialists, today showcased a real-life demonstration of its iStore home battery and backup system at a private residence in Bendigo, regional Victoria. The event was attended by Federal Climate Change and Energy Minister Hon Chris Bowen MP, Lisa Chesters MP for Bendigo, Solargain Dealership CEO Bryn Foletta and Solargain Bendigo Managing Director Nate Ruff.
Top left: Nate Ruff, Managing Director Solargain Bendigo, Lisa Chesters MP, Christopher Gibney, The Hon Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Solargain Dealership CEO Bryn Foletta (from left to right). Top right: Christopher Gibney, Solargain Bendigo customer.
Demonstration showcases real‑world savings
The iStore solar power, battery and backup system, installed by Solargain Bendigo, powers the home of Christopher Gibney, a regional Victorian resident who has experienced a dramatic reduction in electricity costs. “I’m wrapped because our energy bills were just going up, up and up last year,” Gibney said. “Now I’m hopeful we won’t have any electricity bills.”
INSTALLATION DETAILS
- iStore 5kW solar inverter
- 20kWh iStore battery
- iStore backup box to power the home in a grid outage
Above: Solargain's iStore PV solar inverter, battery and backup box with shade cover
Minister Chris Bowen said, "42 per cent of the more than 235,000 Cheaper Home Batteries have been installed in regional homes." MP Lisa Chesters highlighted the programs role in helping regional communities store their power, cut their bills for good, and take control of their energy use.
Bryn Foletta praised the Cheaper Home Batteries program as “a pivotal step towards affordable, clean energy empowering regional communities and delivering tangible cost of living relief - we've seen demand for home batteries skyrocket.”
Nate Ruff, Solargain Bendigo CEO said, "Being a local, family ran company means that we get to create really strong relationships with our customers, like Chris, and hearing him speak on how positive his outcome has been with his system, is really rewarding."
Additional Comments from Bryn Foletta, Solargain Dealerhip CEO
The press conference earlier highlighted how new battery installations are keeping air conditioning, lighting and other essential services running during heat waves and fire risk periods while relieving pressure on the grid. This is particularly important to protect consumers as Australia's weather becomes more extreme.
Bendigo’s forward thinking community is to be commended for its substantial investment in our transition to renewable energy. Early results from the "Cheaper Home Batteries" program are already matching the forecasted impact Minister Bowen outlined. Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters’ leadership plays a critical part in steering her community toward this goal and sets a powerful example for other regional areas across the country.
Australia has a history of leading the country in its uptake of renewable energy, boasting the highest rooftop residential solar penetration in the world. We are now striving to achieve the same level of success with the rollout of home batteries country wide.
A popular question posed by WIN News was whether battery installation costs are only affordable for higher income households, leaving out lower income citizens. For most people, if you can afford to pay your electricity bill you can afford to install a battery. The payback period can be as short as 4 years with the “Cheaper Home Batteries” program--which is very affordable for all homeowners.
The Ministry for Climate Change and Energy in conjunction with the Smart Energy Council and Solargain organised the press conference to inform the public about the path to a renewable future and to demonstrate how we can achieve this massive transformation together.
Key Benefits of Battery Installations for Australians
• Reduction In Household Electricity Bills: Adding solar batteries enables Australian homes to store energy generated by solar panels during the day for use at night reducing electricity bills.
• Reliability During Heat Waves: As temperatures rise, demand for electricity spikes. Batteries store energy during low-demand periods and distribute it when needed, thereby stabilising the grid.
• Supporting Essential Services: Critical infrastructure and community spaces, such as hospitals and emergency services, libraries and community centers, can maintain operations even during power outages caused by increased energy demand or grid failures.
• Environmental Impact: By harnessing renewable energy, such as solar, batteries help reduce dependency on fossil fuels, minimising carbon emissions.
• Fire Risk Management: During heightened fire risk periods, having reliable energy sources can prevent power outages that might complicate emergency responses.
About Solargain
4-time Canstar Blue Winner for 'Most Satisfied Customers', Solargain has over 20 years experience in the renewable energy industry and are one of Australia's leading solar, battery and energy-efficient hot water systems with over 94,000 residential and commercial customers across Australia.
Solargain Media Contact: jennifer.delmarre@solargain.com.au
About the Cheaper Home Batteries Program
The government's "Cheaper Home Batteries" program aims to make battery storage accessible, reliable, and cost‑effective, accelerating the nation’s transition to a low‑carbon future.
Read more about the "Cheaper Home Batteries" program
WIN News Bendigo Video Coverage
Above: Homeowners across regional Victoria are saving money on their energy bills with new batteries as published on WINNews Facebook page.
More than 19,000 Victorians have taken advantage of the federal government program, which provides a thirty percent rebate.
#WINNews | Channel 8 & 80 (HD)
Weeknights from 5:30pm
Joint media release: Bill busting batteries booming in Bendigo
19 February 2026
The Hon Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy
Lisa Chesters MP, Member for Bendigo
The Albanese Labor Government’s Cheaper Home Batteries program has sparked a battery boom in Bendigo, with the area installing batteries at six times the rate of Melbourne, with community facilities like libraries and households also getting a leg up to go green and cut their bills.
1,071 Bendigo residents have taken up the offer of around 30 per cent off a home battery, allowing them to take control of their energy use and cut their bills for good.
Stored rooftop solar via batteries is good for the grid, playing an increasingly important role in helping households store more of their own cheap, clean solar energy for use at night and during periods of high demand – crucial during heatwaves to power ACs while keeping the grid stable.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said 42 per cent of the more than 235,000 Cheaper Home Batteries have been installed in regional homes, because communities get that what’s good for the planet is good for their pocket.
“Bendigo knows that batteries in their homes means more cheaper, cleaner energy in their homes, night or day when and where they need it.”
Additionally, the Albanese Government is helping councils and community facilities cut their bills through energy efficiency upgrades with $1.4m going to projects in the region.
The Bendigo Library’s $1.2 million electrification project will reduce carbon emissions as part of the city’s climate goals and be the first major public building in Bendigo to transition to fully electric heating and cooling systems.
While $248,000 in funding for the Mount Alexander Shire Council to electrify the Castlemaine Town Hall will see it lower energy bills and make the town hall more comfortable year-round.
“From powering story time at the library, to bedtime stories at home, our investment in renewable energy is delivering cheaper, cleaner energy for everyone in Bendigo,” said Minister Bowen.
Lisa Chesters MP, Member for Bendigo said that households across the Bendigo Electorate were already leading the way with rooftop solar.
"Cheaper Home Batteries are now helping store their power, cut their bills for good, and take control of their energy use."
"Every local household or small business that installs roof top solar and batteries are also helping to take pressure off the grid."
Press release published on 19th February 2025.
Solargain Media contact
Name: Jennifer Delmarre
Phone: 0458 633 066
Email: jennifer.delmarre@solargain.com.au
