Last updated on October 30th, 2026 at 07:54 am
A solar battery does more than cut your bills. With the right setup, it can turn into an income stream, paying you for the power you store during the day and release when the grid needs it most. Between higher evening feed-in tariffs, battery rewards programs, and virtual power plants, battery owners can earn several hundred dollars a year on top of their normal savings. Comparing offers from different Electricity and Gas Providers with Deal Expert is the first step to finding the setup that pays you the most.
How Stored Solar Turns Into Income
The idea is simple. Your panels generate cheap or free power during the day. Instead of exporting all of it for a small feed-in payment, your battery stores it. Then, during the evening peak (usually 5 pm to 9 pm), when grid demand and prices spike, you release that stored power back to the grid at a much higher rate. This flips the usual solar equation. Rather than earning 3-5 cents per kWh for daytime exports, you can earn far more by exporting when electricity is genuinely valuable. Some programs pay 25-28 cents per kWh for evening exports, and virtual power plants can pay up to $1 per kWh during grid events. The three main ways to earn are peak feed-in tariffs, battery rewards programs, and virtual power plants. Here is how to make the most of each.
7 Ways to Cash In on Your Stored Solar Power
1. Export During the Evening Peak
The single biggest earner is timing your exports for the 5 pm to 9 pm window.
This is when wholesale prices are highest, so the power your battery releases is worth the most. Set your battery to hold its charge through the afternoon and discharge into the grid during those peak hours. A 20kWh battery exporting 10kWh each evening can earn $660 to $728 a year in peak feed-in credits, depending on your state.
2. Join a Battery Rewards Program
Several retailers now offer dedicated battery reward plans that pay premium rates for peak-window exports. The AGL Battery Rewards Plan, for example, pays around 28c/kWh for exports between 5 pm and 9 pm, with no cap on how much you can export, and a sign-up bill credit for new customers.
Unlike a virtual power plant, you stay in full control of when and how much you export. Programs like this are one of the simplest ways to earn without handing over control of your battery.
3. Sign Up for a Virtual Power Plant
A virtual power plant (VPP) links thousands of home batteries into one large, coordinated network. The operator draws on your stored power during grid stress events, and you get paid for it. AGL rewards members with credits when their battery is dispatched, and some VPP events pay as much as $1 per kWh on top of your normal export rate. Typical VPP earnings run $200 to $600 a year, with South Australian households often earning the most due to a volatile grid.
4. Stack a Rewards Plan With a VPP
Here is where it gets clever. On some plans, you can run a battery rewards plan and a VPP at the same time. When you export on your own during the peak, you earn the standard rewards rate. When the VPP dispatches your battery during an event, you earn both the rewards rate and the VPP bonus. Stacking the two maximises what each exported kilowatt-hour earns you.
5. Charge From the Grid When Power Is Cheap
If you have a time-of-use tariff, you can charge your battery from the grid during cheap off-peak hours (or free daytime solar windows) and then export or use that power during the expensive peak. This arbitrage, buying low and effectively selling high, adds another layer to your earnings, especially on days when your solar generation is limited.
6. Choose a Plan Built for Battery Owners
Not every plan rewards battery owners equally. Some retailers reserve their best feed-in rates for specific products. AGL Energy Plans include battery-specific options designed around evening exports, while other retailers structure their offers differently. If you are a senior, it is also worth asking about concession-friendly options like the AGL Seniors Saver Plan, which can pair bill support with battery earning potential. The point is to match your plan to how your battery actually operates.
7. Size Your Battery for Export, Not Just Backup
If earning income is a genuine goal, size matters. A battery that only covers your own evening use leaves nothing spare to export. Households that install a larger battery, one with capacity beyond their nightly needs, have surplus stored power to sell into the peak. This is where AGL Energy solar plans and similar battery-focused offers deliver the most value, because there is always something left in the tank to export when rates are high.
How Much Can You Realistically Earn?
Here is a snapshot of the earning potential across the main methods:
| Earning Method | Typical Annual Return | Control Level |
| Standard daytime feed-in only | 50 – 200 | Full |
| Peak evening feed-in (5 pm to 9 pm) | 400 – 728 | Full |
| Battery rewards program | 400 – 700+ | Full |
| Virtual power plant | 200 – 600 | Shared |
| Rewards + VPP stacked | 600 – 1,200+ | Shared |
These figures sit on top of the savings you already make from using your own stored solar instead of buying from the grid. Combined, a well-run battery can deliver a meaningful return each year.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
Before you sign up to any program, check the details:
- Battery compatibility: Most programs require an approved battery brand (Tesla, BYD, Sungrow) and a smart meter.
- Lock-in terms: VPPs often have a 24-month commitment, while battery rewards plans are usually more flexible.
- Battery cycling. Frequent exporting adds cycles to your battery, though most programs are designed to stay within warranty limits.
- Your tariff: A great export rate paired with a poor usage rate may not be worth it overall. Look at the whole plan.
How Deal Expert Helps You Maximise Your Earnings
Working out which battery rewards plan, VPP, or feed-in structure pays you the most takes real effort, because the best option changes by state, battery size, and retailer. Deal Expert compares offers from a range of trusted retailers for your specific postcode, so you can see which plan turns your stored solar into the biggest return.
Deal Expert is free to use, ISO 27001-certified, and rated 4.8 stars across more than 1,700 reviews. If you are relocating, the AGL Energy Moving House process can be arranged alongside your comparison, so your battery keeps earning on a competitive plan the moment you move in. You can compare online or speak to a consultant six days a week.
Summary
Your solar battery can be more than a savings tool. By exporting stored power during the 5 pm to 9 pm peak, joining a battery rewards program, and signing up to a virtual power plant, you can earn several hundred dollars a year on top of your normal solar savings. Stacking a rewards plan with a VPP, charging from cheap off-peak power, and sizing your battery for export all boost your return. The key is matching your plan to how your battery operates. Deal Expert compares your options for free, so you get the most from every stored kilowatt-hour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do you earn money through solar?
You earn from solar in three main ways: using your own generation to avoid buying grid power, exporting excess for a feed-in tariff, and (with a battery) exporting stored power during the evening peak or through a virtual power plant. Battery owners earn the most because they can sell power when it is most valuable.
Q: What happens after 25 years of solar?
After 25 years, solar panels will not stop working. They simply continue generating electricity at a slightly reduced efficiency, typically around 80-85% of their original output. Many systems keep producing useful power well beyond their warranty period.
Q: Can I run AC with a solar panel?
Yes. A properly sized solar system can run air conditioning, especially during the day when generation is high. Pairing it with a battery lets you run the AC in the evening on stored solar power rather than drawing from the grid.
Q: Do I need a battery to earn from solar?
No, but a battery significantly increases what you can earn. Without one, you can only export surplus daytime power for a low feed-in rate. A battery lets you store that power and export it during the high-value evening peak, which is where the re
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