The city of Bendigo in Victoria has outpaced the state’s capital Melbourne for using residential batteries, installing batteries at six times the rate of Melbourne.
1,071 Bendigo residents have taken up the federal government’s Cheaper Home Batteries program of around 30 per cent off a home battery.
Federal 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.
“Bendigo knows that batteries in their homes means more cheaper, cleaner energy in their homes, night or day when and where they need it.”
The government also offered councils and community facilities federal assistance through energy efficiency upgrades with AU$1.4m going to projects in the region.
The Bendigo Library received AU$1.2 million for its electrification project to reduce carbon emissions as part of the city’s climate goals. The library will be the first major public building in Bendigo to transition to fully electric heating and cooling systems.
The Mount Alexander Shire Council received AU$248,000 to electrify the Castlemaine Town Hall to lower its energy bills and make the town hall more comfortable year-round.
Federal Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters said homes around Bendigo are 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.”
The Cheaper Home Batteries program is a federal initiative to help more people install batteries.
The government expanded the program in December 2025 to AU$7.2 billion from original estimates of AU$2.3 billion over the next four years.
Stored rooftop solar via batteries is good for the grid as it helps households store more of their own cheap solar energy for use at night.
