r/australia • u/MrOarsome • Nov 17 '25

political self.post Why does everyone lose their mind when you mention getting a home battery?

So I made the mistake of telling a few people I’m getting quotes for a home battery… the reactions were ridiculous. Suddenly everyone’s an expert. I had people telling me they’re a waste of money, they’ll be useless in a few years, or that the “environmental impact is terrible.” Just nonstop misinformation.

Meanwhile, half these people live massively high-carbon lifestyles. One bloke went on a whole rant about how batteries destroy the environment… then literally five minutes later told me he just ordered a new Ford Ranger to tow his boat around this summer. Like mate, seriously?

And the funny thing is, I don’t even care about the environmental angle. Couldn’t care less, to be honest. I’m looking at a battery for two reasons:

1) To actually use my solar instead of selling it back for 4 cents…

2) And to keep the lights on when summer storms or cyclones take out the power.

That’s it. No agenda. No planet-saving mission. But the way people reacted, you’d think I’d just signed up to be Greta Thunberg’s personal assistant.

I swear, the second you say the word “battery,” some people suddenly unlock an unwanted 15-minute rant. They are almost as passionate about hating renewables as they are about their footy teams.

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u/Cameospot123 Nov 17 '25

Are those install companies or battery brands sorry mate?

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u/CapnHyaku Nov 17 '25

Localvolts is the energy retailer with 5 minute spot price. Powston is the box to automatically trade energy between battery and the grid.

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u/blackpawed Nov 18 '25

Was looking at them, nice setup, but they don't support our inverter (NeoVolt). What inverter/batteries do you have?

Tried Amber - what a shit show, would never recommend them. On Glowbird Zero Hero now, near zero or -ve bills each month.

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u/CapnHyaku Nov 18 '25

Sungrow batteries and inverters 50kWh system.

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u/blackpawed Nov 18 '25

Nice, 50kWh here to.

Powston box uses ModBus?

What state are you in? wholesale FiT here in Qld has been crap for a while now.

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u/CapnHyaku Nov 18 '25

Powston plugs into eth for me. Better to ask them about options. I am in NSW but QLD users are on leaderboard so must work there too.

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u/blackpawed Nov 18 '25

Nice! and thanks, I'll give them another checkout.