High monthly electricity charges are a familiar frustration for many Australian homeowners.

New South Wales electrician Travis Harpley decided to tackle the problem himself by spending $10,500 on a home battery. The 49-year-old said the switch turned his latest power statement from its usual $250 charge into a $14 credit.

Here's what to know

Speaking with Yahoo News Australia, Harpley said the battery allows him to hold onto extra rooftop solar power for later use or send it back to the grid.

Using savings of about $200 a month as his guide, he estimated that the $10,500 system could pay itself off in around four years.

"I was one of the first adopters to have solar on my house," he said. "I did that in about 2007. I was the first one in my suburb to have solar on my house."

Adding battery storage is one of the best ways to protect a home from power outages while also saving money on energy bills. It can also help homeowners gain more independence from the power grid.

For U.S. homeowners considering a similar move, exploring EnergySage can help you learn about home battery storage options, including competitive installation estimates. EnergySage has teamed up with electrification brand Qmerit to help homeowners secure the best price on home battery storage solutions.

More background

Yahoo News Australia, citing the Clean Energy Regulator, reported that Australians have installed more than 4.3 million rooftop solar systems, covering about 40% of homes and small businesses.

For solar owners, batteries can become more compelling when daytime generation is strong but nighttime power still has to be bought from the grid, especially as feed-in tariffs decline and electricity rates climb.

David Sedighi, chief operating officer of energy solutions provider VoltX Energy, said some buyers still view battery costs as they were "five or ten years ago, when the initial purchase price was significantly higher," Yahoo News Australia reported.

He added that a 28-kilowatt-hour battery setup can now be installed "for under $4,000," and said some homes can become "completely self-reliant from the grid immediately."

What can be done?

Harpley built his setup over time. He installed rooftop solar around 2007, added battery storage, and keeps a grid connection as an emergency backup.

For households that already have solar, adding a battery can increase how much of their own electricity they use, improve backup power, and reduce dependence on the grid.

Consumers who don't need a full-house system can also explore smaller backup options, such as Pila, whose plug-and-play batteries are priced at a fraction of what a whole-home backup system would cost.

Harpley said the change appealed to him for both environmental and financial reasons: "It is nice to have that environmental friendliness, and to not be dictated on how much you have to pay for a product."

Where can I learn more?

Across Australia, homeowners are deciding whether a battery is worth the upfront cost.

• Australian rebates helped drive the home battery boom.

• In Victoria, a family considered a $6,000 solar-plus-battery buy before rebates expired.

• Quotes for a 6.6kW solar setup with 20kWh batteries range widely in Australia.

• One Australian homeowner called solar, battery, and electric vehicle plans a "no-brainer" for early retirement.

• In Queensland, an ALDI customer learned why a small inverter could limit a $10,999 deal.

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