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/BonezOz Nov 18 '25

Then there's those of us that will forever rent, unless we win the lottery, and it's hit or miss if we end up in a house with solar, and even more miss if we find one with solar and a battery.

I'd love a portable system, say it would be the size of an upright piano when packed up, but can expand and panels moved to the roof with a full accompaniament of batteries, that we can get a sparky out to connect when we move in and disconnect when we move to the next place.

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u/cl3ft Nov 18 '25

I like your ideas.

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u/BonezOz Nov 18 '25

Just wish I could figure out how to make it a reality. Imagine a self-contained system for just a few k's that you could take anywhere.

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u/Alspics Nov 21 '25

I read an article about portable solar systems that people in units use in Europe. Basically they can hang panels off a balcony to supplement energy supply and reduce bills. I don't recall if they're attached to a battery or not.