Loading Solar Battery Perth...
Loading Solar Battery Perth...
Essential terms and acronyms explained for WA homeowners. Search or browse to understand battery jargon.
Clean Energy Council approval required for batteries to be eligible for federal rebates (STCs). All batteries must appear on the CEC Approved Products List.
Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme - Synergy's export tariff that pays 10c/kWh during peak hours (3-9pm) and 2-3c/kWh off-peak for the first 50kWh exported per day.
Percentage of battery capacity that can be safely used. Most modern batteries have 90-100% DoD, meaning you can use nearly all the stored energy.
Percentage of energy that can be retrieved from a battery compared to what was stored. Modern batteries typically have 92-98% efficiency, meaning small losses during charge/discharge.
Federal rebate certificates created for small-scale renewable energy installations. Batteries earn STCs based on capacity and deeming period (years until 2030). Reduces upfront cost by $2,000-$4,000.
Network of home batteries controlled by an aggregator to provide grid services. Synergy Battery Rewards is WA's main VPP, required for the state battery rebate.
Battery connected to AC side of system via its own inverter. Works with any existing solar inverter and allows battery to charge from grid. More flexible but slightly less efficient.
Battery connected directly to DC side of solar system through a hybrid inverter. More efficient (one less conversion) but requires compatible hybrid inverter. Best for new installations.
WA's electricity distribution network operator. All battery installations require Western Power approval. ESM (Emergency Solar Management) is mandatory for systems ≤5kVA.
Synergy's standard residential tariff. Currently ~32.37c/kWh import rate (as of March 2026). Most common tariff for Perth homes.
Years remaining until STC program ends (Dec 31, 2030). Determines STC multiplier. 2026 = 4 years = 8.4 STCs/kWh (6.8 from May). 2027 = 3 years. Reduces annually.
Western Power requirement for systems ≤5kVA on Western Power network. Allows remote curtailment of solar export during emergencies. Mandatory for grid stability.
Battery chemistry known for safety, longevity, and stability. Most common in home batteries. Safer than NMC but slightly lower energy density. Excellent for Australian climate.
Synergy Supported Solutions List - batteries approved for Battery Rewards VPP program. Check DER-Storage section before purchasing if VPP participation is required.
Gradual loss of battery capacity over time. Quality batteries degrade 1-3% per year. After 10 years, expect 70-90% of original capacity depending on usage and conditions.
Battery chemistry with higher energy density than LFP but requires active cooling. Used in Tesla Powerwall 2 and some LG models. Safe with proper thermal management but less heat-tolerant than LFP.
Inverter that handles both solar panels and battery storage in one unit. Manages DC-coupled battery charging directly from solar, typically more efficient than separate inverter/charger setups.
Using your own solar-generated electricity instead of exporting it to the grid. With a battery, self-consumption typically increases from 30-40% to 70-90%, maximizing savings.
Number of complete charge/discharge cycles a battery can perform before reaching end-of-life (typically 70-80% of original capacity). Quality LFP batteries offer 6,000-10,000 cycles.
Common Smart Inverter Profile - Australian implementation of IEEE 2030.5 protocol for VPP communication. Required for all new battery installations from May 2026 in WA.
Ability to disconnect from the grid and operate independently during a blackout. Not all battery systems support islanding - requires specific inverter capabilities and transfer switch.
Electrical device that safely disconnects your home from the grid during backup mode, preventing backfeed to utility lines. Required for battery backup functionality.
Using stored battery energy during peak pricing periods (3-9pm) to reduce electricity costs. Batteries charge during low-rate periods and discharge when prices are highest.
Electricity pricing that varies by time of day. In WA, Synergy's A1 Midday Saver has peak (3-9pm), off-peak (9pm-7am), and solar soak (9am-3pm) periods with different rates.
Maximum power a system can export to the grid, set by Western Power based on local network capacity. Standard limit is 5kW for most Perth homes, with some areas having lower limits.
Electronic system that monitors and protects battery cells. Controls charging/discharging, temperature, cell balancing, and fault detection. Critical for safety and longevity.
Actual energy available from a battery after accounting for depth of discharge and efficiency losses. A 10kWh battery with 90% DoD has 9kWh usable capacity.
Total energy storage capacity stated by manufacturer, before accounting for DoD or efficiency. Always check usable capacity for realistic expectations.
Battery system connected to the utility grid. Can charge from grid or solar, and export excess energy. Most common configuration in Perth, allows VPP participation.
System operating independently from the utility grid. Requires larger battery capacity, backup generator, and careful load management. Rare in Perth metro, more common in rural WA.
Battery system that can be expanded by adding additional modules. Examples include BYD HVM, Pylontech Force L2, and Sungrow SBR series. Start small and add capacity later.
Ingress Protection rating indicating dust and water resistance. IP65 means dust-tight and protected against water jets - recommended for outdoor installation in Perth.
VPP dispatch where Synergy remotely discharges enrolled batteries during peak grid demand. Typically 15-25 events per year, lasting 1-3 hours each, earning 70¢/kWh.
Synergy's TOU tariff designed for solar/battery homes. Lower rates during solar soak (9am-3pm at ~15c/kWh), standard rates otherwise. Optimal tariff for battery owners.
WA's tiered system for DER connections, in force since 1 May 2026. Tier 0: 1.5kW fixed export. Tier 1: 5kW with ESM. Tier 2: Dynamic export with VPP participation (recommended).
Hardware that enables communication between AC-coupled battery systems and VPP platforms. Required for CSIP-AUS compliance in AC-coupled setups under the current WA framework.
Time when solar generation typically exceeds household demand (9am-3pm in Perth). During this period, excess solar charges batteries or exports to grid at lower DEBS rates.
Dangerous condition where battery temperature rises uncontrollably, potentially causing fire. Modern BMS systems prevent this, and LFP chemistry is inherently resistant to thermal runaway.
Maximum sustained power output a battery can deliver. A 5kW continuous rating means you can run up to 5kW of appliances indefinitely from the battery.
Maximum power output for short periods (typically 10 seconds to 3 minutes). Handles startup surges from motors like fridges and air conditioners. Usually 1.5-2x continuous rate.
If there's a battery or solar term you'd like us to add to this glossary, let us know through our contact page. We regularly update this list based on common questions from Perth homeowners.
Contact UsNow that you understand the terminology, calculate your potential savings or find the right battery for your Perth home.