Australia’s solar scene is moving fast. We’re not just talking “more panels on more roofs” anymore; although, that’s still happening. In 2026, the big shift is smarter solar: storage, export controls, EV integration, and systems that play nicely with the grid.
Rooftop solar is already a major part of Australia’s electricity mix; over 4 million installations, generating 12%+ of Australia’s electricity in recent CEC reporting. So 2026 isn’t about whether solar works. It’s about how you design it to win under new tariffs, export limits, and electrified homes.
Trend 1: Home batteries go properly mainstream
If 2024-2025 was “battery curiosity,” 2026 is “battery reality.”
Why? Because the Cheaper Home Batteries Program has pushed batteries further into the “makes sense” zone for a lot of households and small businesses. The Clean Energy Regulator explains that eligible customers may see around a 30% upfront discount on installing a small-scale battery, and that the discount is designed to gradually reduce through to 2030.
The DCCEEW program page also flags planned changes from 1 May 2026, subject to regulations.
And it’s not just policy hype; battery adoption has already been trending up strongly. The Clean Energy Council’s reporting notes close to 75,000 home battery units sold in 2024, up from 2023.
Batteries usually shine if you use a lot of power in the evening, work from home and want more “solar self-use” control, have or plan to buy an EV, or are getting low value from exporting.
Battery sizing
- Small (5–7 kWh usable): good for shaving evening use
- Medium (10–13 kWh usable): the “sweet spot” for many families
- Large (15+ kWh usable): EV households, high usage, bigger systems
Always ask for usable capacity, not just battery size, and check warranty terms.
Trend 2: Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) become normal
A Virtual Power Plant (VPP) is basically a bunch of home batteries and sometimes solar with controllable loads coordinated as a group to support the grid.
In 2026, VPPs are less “weird tech experiment” and more “yep, that’s an option on the form.”
VPPs are growing as More batteries mean more flexible storage sitting in garages, the grid needs help during peaks, and retailers and networks are increasingly building products around orchestration
What to check before joining a VPP
VPPs can be great, as long as you know what you’re signing up for:
- How often do events happen
- Minimum reserve level, e.g., do they keep 20% for you?
- Override controls, like opting out in the app?
- Incentive structure, such as credits, tariff perks, etc.
If you want the simplest starting point, get a battery with a good monitoring app first, then decide on VPP later.
Trend 3: Rise in Self-consumption
Exporting solar isn’t the golden goose it used to be. Networks are managing congestion and minimum demand issues, so we’re seeing:
- More export limits
- More interest in flexible exports
- More groundwork laid for two-way pricing – charging/crediting exports differently depending on time
The AER’s Export Tariff Guidelines exist specifically to guide how networks propose and justify two-way pricing and how they define a basic export level.
In 2026, the smartest solar systems use more solar in the day for hot water, heating/cooling, EV charging, store solar (battery), and automate use with timers and smart controls.
And fewer of these rely on exporting heaps of excess energy for great returns.
Trend 4: Flexible exports
Instead of a hard cap, like “you can only export X kW”, flexible exports let you export more most of the time, and only dial you back during rare network stress periods.
Customers can export up to inverter capacity, and on rare occasions, exports are temporarily reduced, but not below the customer’s existing fixed limit.
Much of our patch in Ballarat sits across distributors like Powercor, CitiPower, United Energy, AusNet, and export rules can vary by area and even by street.
Hence, the biggest system that fits is no longer enough. The system should be designed with:
- export limits/flexible export eligibility in mind
- Day vs night consumption profile
- battery readiness and EV readiness
Trend 5: Inverter standards matter more than ever
Inverters aren’t just the box that makes solar work. They’re now active grid participants.
Since new regulations came into effect on 23 August 2025, non-compliant inverters have been removed from approved listings.
What you should ask your installer in 2026
- Is the inverter on the current approved list for STCs?
- Can it support export control / flexible exports?
- Does it integrate cleanly with a battery later?
- Does it have reliable monitoring?
This is one of those “cheap now, expensive later” areas; quality matters
Trend 6: New panel tech is quietly making systems better
Most homeowners don’t care what cell tech is in the panel, but you’ll feel it through higher wattage panels, better performance in real-world conditions, and improved value per square metre of roof.
Globally, the big mainstream shift has been toward TOPCon cell technology. The IEA PVPS “Trends in Photovoltaic Applications 2025” report says TOPCon grew from about 30% market share in 2023 to ~70% in 2024, overtaking older PERC tech.
Practical takeaway
In 2026, you can often get:
- more power from the same roof area
- better options for tricky roofs
But: installation quality still beats specs. A great panel installed poorly is still a bad outcome.
Trend 7: EV charging becomes a core part of solar design
If you’re buying an EV in 2026, your EV is probably your biggest new electrical load.
So solar questions become: “Can I charge mostly from solar?”, “Can my charger avoid peak rates?”, and “Will my system support bidirectional charging later?”
Smart EV charging is the 2026 baseline
A good EV charger setup can:
- Prioritise solar surplus during the day
- Schedule charging for off-peak rates overnight
- Avoid blowing past your supply limits
Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G):
Two-way EV charging is moving from theory into real trials:
AGL announced a residential Vehicle-to-Grid trial in late 2025, describing using EVs as a two-way energy source to power homes or export surplus energy.
In 2026, V2G is promising, but still limited by compatible vehicles, chargers, and approvals. If you’re building a solar system now, the best move is usually:
- get EV-ready switchboard capacity
- choose equipment that can integrate with smart controls
- design your solar + battery with future flexibility in mind
Trend 8: Electrification pairs perfectly with solar
The cheapest solar power is the solar you use directly. So 2026 continues to ditch gas, in favour of running electric efficiently.
In Victoria, programs like Victorian Energy Upgrades offer discounts for upgrading hot water systems, including moving away from gas. And Solar Victoria continues to support PV uptake, including interest-free loans up to $1,400 alongside rebates for eligible homes.
The classic 2026 upgrade stack
- Solar PV
- Heat pump hot water
- Reverse-cycle heating/cooling
- Optional: battery, especially if evening use is high
In Ballarat, winter heating loads can be hefty, so designing around winter usage, not just summer production, is key.
Trend 9: Community batteries expand choices
Not everyone can install a battery. Community batteries help fill that gap.
The federal Community Batteries for Household Solar program aims to install 400 community batteries to provide shared storage and help households use stored solar during peak times. ARENA has also funded community battery deployment through funding rounds.
If you’re in an area with export constraints, community storage can also help reduce the bottleneck created due to everyone exporting at the same time.
Trend 10: Solar recycling
Australia’s early solar boom is ageing. More systems are hitting the “upgrade time” window, and the industry is pushing harder for proper recycling pathways.
The Smart Energy Council is actively promoting reuse and recycling initiatives. And a 2025 joint statement argues for a national mandatory product stewardship scheme for solar PV panels.
What homeowners can do now
- Keep your system paperwork
- Upgrade with reputable brands
- Ask your installer about responsible removal/recycling options when upgrading
What these trends mean for Ballarat homes
Here’s the “local translation” of everything above:
Your network rules matter as much as your roof
Two neighbouring suburbs can have different export limits and connection rules. In our region, distributors like Powercor (Ballarat/western Vic), CitiPower, United Energy, and AusNet can each have different approaches.
So in 2026, good installs start with:
- checking your export limits / flexible export eligibility
- designing for self-consumption first
- leaving space for battery + EV upgrades
Three “winning solar system options” in 2026
| Option | What’s included |
|---|---|
| Option A: Solar-first |
|
| Option B: Solar + battery |
|
| Option C: Solar + battery + EV-ready |
|
2026 Checklist for Solar Buyers
Before you sign anything, ask:
- What are my export limits, and do I qualify for flexible exports?
- Is the inverter compliant with the latest requirements and on the approved list?
- Am I eligible for the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, and what changes apply from 1 May 2026?
- If I add a battery later, will my system be ready?
- How will I track performance (app, consumption monitoring, alerts)?
- What warranties apply to workmanship vs products?
Ready to make your solar work harder in 2026?
If you’d like clear, no-jargon advice, Ballarat Solar Company can help with Solar installation, Solar upgrades/repowering, Solar repairs & fault-finding, Solar servicing & maintenance, Battery and EV charger advice.
Get in touch with Ballarat Solar Company today for friendly solar advice, or to book an inspection, repair, or quote. As solar installers in Ballarat, we’ll help you understand your options and recommend the setup that makes the most sense for your home, your budget, and your goals for 2026.
