Solargain Highlights Success of Cheaper Homes Batteries Programme with Government Leaders in Regional Victoria
PRESS RELEASE
Perth, Australia, 19th February, 2026
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 Business Development Manager 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 BDM 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 Homer Batteries have been installed in regional homes." MP Lisa Chesters highlighted the programmes 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 programme 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.”
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.
About the Cheaper Home Batteries Programme
The government's Cheaper Homes Batteries programme aims to make battery storage accessible, reliable, and cost‑effective, accelerating the nation’s transition to a low‑carbon future.
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 Homer 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
Solargain Media contact
Name: Jennifer Delmarre
Phone: 0458 633 066
Email: jennifer.delmarre@solargain.com.au
