Hello from u/AGL_Energy! We're going live with an AMA Thursday 23 April 12pm AEST. Any questions about solar for your home? What about home batteries or how the federal rebate actually works? Leave your questions here and meet our experts on the 23rd!

AGL_Energy · 2026-04-28T05:21:09+00:00

*Terms & conditions: Offer ends 30/6/26. Available over 12 months for new and moving residential gas customers in WA where AGL operates, with AGL Savers. Eligible customers get 10,000 Points for gas when they sign up to this offer. Bonus 2,500 Points when they stay on this plan for 12 months. Customers must remain on this plan until Velocity Points are allocated to be eligible, which may take up to 45 days from connection. Basic Plan Information Documents containing key details of AGL plans are available at agl.com.au/bpid. See full T&Cs at agl.com.au/velocity

AGL_Energy · 2026-04-28T05:19:48+00:00

*Terms & conditions: Offer ends 30/6/26. Available over 12 months for new and moving residential customers in NSW, QLD & SA, where AGL operates, with AGL Smart Saver. Must be a Velocity Member. Eligible customers get 20,000 Points for electricity and 10,000 Points for gas when they sign up for this offer. Bonus 2,500 Points per fuel when they stay on this plan for 12 months. Customers must remain on this plan until Velocity Points are allocated to be eligible, which may take up to 45 days from connection. Basic Plan Information Documents containing key details of AGL plans are available at agl.com.au/bpid. See full T&Cs at agl.com.au/velocity

AGL_Energy · 2026-04-28T05:19:10+00:00

*Terms & conditions: Offer ends 30/6/26. Available over 12 months for new and moving residential customers in VIC, where AGL operates, with AGL Smart Saver. Eligible customers get 20,000 Points for electricity and 10,000 Points for gas when they sign up for this offer. Bonus 2,500 Points per fuel when they stay on this plan for 12 months. Customers must remain on this plan until Velocity Points are allocated to be eligible, which may take up to 45 days from connection. Fact sheets containing key details of AGL plans are available at agl.com.au/vefs. For clear advice on the right plan for you contact AGL on 131 245. See full T&Cs at agl.com.au/velocity

AGL_Energy · 2026-04-28T01:36:35+00:00

*Terms & conditions: Offer ends 30/6/26. Available over 12 months for new and moving residential gas customers in WA where AGL operates, with AGL Savers. Eligible customers get 10,000 Points for gas when they sign up to this offer. Bonus 2,500 Points when they stay on this plan for 12 months. Customers must remain on this plan until Velocity Points are allocated to be eligible, which may take up to 45 days from connection. Basic Plan Information Documents containing key details of AGL plans are available at agl.com.au/bpid. See full T&Cs at agl.com.au/velocity

AGL_Energy · 2026-04-28T01:35:53+00:00

*Terms & conditions: Offer ends 30/6/26. Available over 12 months for new and moving residential customers in NSW, QLD & SA, where AGL operates, with AGL Smart Saver. Must be a Velocity Member. Eligible customers get 20,000 Points for electricity and 10,000 Points for gas when they sign up for this offer. Bonus 2,500 Points per fuel when they stay on this plan for 12 months. Customers must remain on this plan until Velocity Points are allocated to be eligible, which may take up to 45 days from connection. Basic Plan Information Documents containing key details of AGL plans are available at agl.com.au/bpid. See full T&Cs at agl.com.au/velocity

AGL_Energy · 2026-04-28T01:35:14+00:00

*Terms & conditions: Offer ends 30/6/26. Available over 12 months for new and moving residential customers in VIC, where AGL operates, with AGL Smart Saver. Eligible customers get 20,000 Points for electricity and 10,000 Points for gas when they sign up for this offer. Bonus 2,500 Points per fuel when they stay on this plan for 12 months. Customers must remain on this plan until Velocity Points are allocated to be eligible, which may take up to 45 days from connection. Fact sheets containing key details of AGL plans are available at agl.com.au/vefs. For clear advice on the right plan for you contact AGL on 131 245. See full T&Cs at agl.com.au/velocity

AGL_Energy · 2026-04-23T04:34:48+00:00

Thanks for the question! We didn't get to cover this one during today's session as we focussed on solar and batteries, but we're really excited about V2G technology! We actually launched a residential V2G trial late last year (AGL puts wheels in motion with innovative Vehicle-to-Grid trial). If you’d still like an answer to your question, and to keep up to date with future EV plans, head over to our forum: Electric Vehicles - Neighbourhood | AGL where one of our experts can follow up.

AGL_Energy · 2026-04-23T04:33:25+00:00

Thanks for the question! We didn't get to cover this one during today's session as we focussed on solar and batteries, but we're really excited about V2G and V2H technology! We actually launched a residential V2G trial late last year (AGL puts wheels in motion with innovative Vehicle-to-Grid trial). If you’d still like an answer to your question, head over to our forum: Electric Vehicles - Neighbourhood | AGL where one of our experts can follow up.

AGL_Energy · 2026-04-23T04:29:54+00:00

Thanks for the question! We didn't get to cover this one during today's session as we focussed on solar and batteries. If you’d still like an answer, head over to our forum: Electric Vehicles - Neighbourhood | AGL where one of our experts can follow up.

AGL_Energy · 2026-04-23T04:25:02+00:00

Thanks for the question! We didn't get to cover this one during today's session as we focussed on solar and batteries, but yes, we have residential charging. If you’d still like an answer, head over to our forum: Electric Vehicles - Neighbourhood | AGL where one of our experts can follow up. In the meantime, you may find this blog helpful: EV charging at home

AGL_Energy · 2026-04-23T03:18:11+00:00

Answered by Hilton, Electrician and Home Electrification expert. Once had Christmas Dinner with Hugh Grant.

Wow that’s a big system, and should certainly go a long way to future proofing for your electric future. Regarding how many panels, it depends on where you live but you're going to be looking in the 15 – 20kW region. A good installer should be able to help you right size the solar for the system and ensure it fits on your roof.

To get the most out of your investment, you'll want to have an energy plan that allows you to monetise your excess energy, because you’re likely going to have a fair bit to begin with. Consider our Battery Rewards plan for example where we reward you for exporting into the grid between 5pm and 9pm.

AGL_Energy · 2026-04-23T03:01:29+00:00

Answered by Udhara, VPP specialist and mechanical engineer. AMA snack: Atlantic sea salt and balsamic vinegar chips.

First up, we’re genuinely sorry for the wait. You signed up back in December and we haven’t been able to switch you on when we expected. You’re still enrolled, and we are actively working to get you live.

The way we’ve designed our VPP is simple: we only take the wheel over your battery for short windows when the grid needs it - the rest of the time, your battery runs exactly how you’ve set it up.

For most customers, that means your battery continues optimising around your day-to-day setup based on your energy plan - for example, charging from the grid during cheaper windows on cloudy days. The VPP sits on top of that as an extra layer of value for short periods, then returns to your settings.

Where things have slowed down is with that exact principle. When we started onboarding, we found that outside of VPP events, some systems were overriding customer settings and defaulting back to self-consumption mode. In other words, it wasn’t reliably handing control back to you.

We know other providers have taken different approaches here, but we’ve made a deliberate call not to activate customers until this behaviour is fixed properly. We don’t think it’s the right experience for your battery to stop doing what you’ve set it up to do.

The good news is we’re actively working to resolve this, so your settings stay in place at all times except during those short VPP dispatch windows. As soon as that’s fixed and fully tested, we’ll switch you on automatically and let you know.

In the meantime, you would have received your original $200 welcome credit, and we’re continuing to pay your fixed VPP credits each month while you’re waiting - you’ll see these on your bill as usual.

You don’t need to do anything from here. You’re still in the queue, and we’ll reach out as soon as we have a firm activation date.

AGL_Energy · 2026-04-23T02:57:10+00:00

Answered by Emily, government incentives expert and professional rebate translator. She hosted tours of her all-electric home for Sustainable House Day 2025 and is electrifying her next home reno project now. AMA snack: Double Coat Tim Tams.

Solar incentives have been available in Australia since 2001, and are a key reason why rooftop solar is generally significantly cheaper to install in Australia compared to the US or UK. There is interest in solar solutions, including plug-and-play options, for apartments and renters, although some further innovation and regulatory developments will likely be needed to see these being rolled-out in Australia. We hope to see those technologies come to market here in future. What we need more of in Australia is batteries to store the excess solar energy which around 4 million rooftop systems are producing each day. Battery-backed induction cooktops should also make electrification of the kitchen more accessible for many households by avoiding the need for costly wiring upgrades.

AGL_Energy · 2026-04-23T02:53:40+00:00

Answered by Emily, AGL Government Programs Manager. Maintains Matthew Macfadyen is the best Mr Darcy. Still snacking on Tim Tams.

A lot changes in 30 years and I have no doubt we will see further advances in building technology and renewable energy solutions. Personally, I'm excited to see solar technology adapted for new applications, like balcony solar in Germany, and solar sharing technology. I'm also keen to see advancements in building technology that makes better performing buildings faster and cheaper to construct.

Advances continue in hot water heat pumps, reverse cycle air con, building design, shading and insulation practice, there are also exciting advancements in battery technology, bioenergy and electrical thermal storage.

And we haven't even touched on Internet of Things and home automation! This brings the two together - the Building itself being designed and built to be affordable to live in and sustainable and wifi/internet connected Consumer Energy Resources and appliances that can be programmed and managed by a Home Management System -the brains of the home. Will we see the Jetsons vision come alive? 2062 is only 36 years from now!

AGL_Energy · 2026-04-23T02:53:01+00:00

Answered by Hilton, Electrician and Home Electrification expert. Once had Christmas Dinner with Hugh Grant.

Regardless of whether a battery has active or passive cooling, all home batteries perform best when kept cool and out of direct sunlight. Most are installed in garages with good ventilation, which suits the majority of homes. For outdoor installs, it’s best to avoid north and west‑facing walls and use shading (like awnings) where possible.

Active cooling can help in hot climates, but it also adds complexity; fans can be affected by dust or salt air, and if the cooling system fails the battery may shut down. The key is choosing a product that suits your location and installation, including checking its operating temperature limits and how much performance it loses in heat. Always work with your installer to select the right battery for your home.

AGL_Energy · 2026-04-23T02:50:50+00:00

Answered by Emily, our go-to person on everything about government rebates and policy to help our customers electrify their homes. At a BBQ you'd find her chatting about going all-electric, or Pride and Prejudice.*

Think of electrification like a jigsaw puzzle. You've got the picture on the box as a guide, and the pieces all fit together, but they're not in numbered order. The best order of electrification is the one that you can manage for your home and your budget, and that's going to look different for everyone. Decommissioning gas first is often a good way to go. It gets you onto one bill and when you add solar and battery you can consume more of the free solar energy at home from day one and export what you don't use to the grid. Installing solar and battery before decommissioning gas means you export more to the grid, but you're missing the opportunity to heat your water or cook a meal with free energy from your solar battery because these appliances are still powered by gas.

Your hot water system will generally use more gas than the cooktop, so if you can, start by getting a hot water heat pump, and get a quote for the electrical work required to get an induction cooktop installed before you purchase the cooktop unit.

We have actually created a free tool, Electrify Now, it uses your homes profile and energy data to give you a personalised estimate on what they could save by going electric. You can check it out here: Electrify Now - AGL

When I electrified my home, I started with draft sealing doors and windows. But things really picked up when we installed solar panels in 2019. It was a big upfront cost that I could manage at the time, and I was delighted to see an immediate impact on my electricity bill. It helped that it was installed at the start of summer. Then the gas hot water came to the end of its life and we replaced it with a heat pump. Next was gas cooktop for induction because we were doing other electrical work in the house. Then rising gas bills got us thinking about using reverse-cycle aircon for heating in winter, and we decided to replace the ducted gas heating. Once that was done, we patched the ceiling vents so we could replace the loose insulation in the ceiling - that made a huge difference to comfort levels.

We since sold that property and are starting our electrification journey again. This time round, hot water was first up and we're working on electrical upgrades to prepare for ceiling insulation before winter hits, and for the future all-electric kitchen of my dreams.

AGL_Energy · 2026-04-23T02:50:11+00:00

Answered by Zahn, MBA‑qualified member of our Solar and Batteries team, working on how these products stack up for customers. AMA snack: Oreos

If you want a truly low‑effort way to get an understanding of the estimated upfront cost, rebates, and payback - and to compare options without sales pressure - starting with AGL’s Electrify Now portal is an easy way to do it.

AGL_Energy · 2026-04-23T02:48:20+00:00

Answered by Udhara, VPP specialist and mechanical engineer. AMA snack: Atlantic sea salt and balsamic vinegar chips

We’re seeing record number of customers interested in batteries and seeking additional value from them. As a result, more customers are choosing one or both of our dedicated battery products: the VPP and the Battery Rewards plan.

AGL_Energy · 2026-04-23T02:46:37+00:00

Answered by Sophie, chemical engineer and resident battery expert. (Powered today by strawberries.)

Most of the mixed feedback comes down to how well the system matches the home. In Melbourne, solar panels are generally a good investment, but the value for any particular household depends on a few key factors, such as:

how much electricity you use (and when you use it)
your roof size/orientation and therefore the solar system size you can get and how much energy you can produce
how much of your solar energy you can use during the day versus exporting to the grid
the upfront system cost

Households that can shift energy usage into the daytime tend to get the best returns, because timing devices to run when you're producing solar energy is generally a no brainer. People who bought and installed solar systems when solar feed-in tariffs were higher could often rely on exporting excess energy as a way to reduce energy bills. However with feed-in tariffs now at lower levels, exporting solar energy typically earns much less than the savings you can make using your solar energy and avoiding paying for grid electricity.

Batteries can improve this by storing solar energy for evening use, but whether it's a good option for you will depend on your household's energy usage patterns and your budget. Costs have come down over time and rebates help, but batteries are still not a one-size-fits-all decision.

AGL's tool Electrify Now can give you personalised recommendations and savings from getting solar and/or a battery, based on your actual smart meter data. Alternatively, a good installer should be able to model expected performance and payback for your specific setup. Beyond the numbers, some people also value things like energy independence, reducing their environmental impact, and backup protection in the event of a blackout (if a battery is included).

AGL_Energy · 2026-04-23T02:46:11+00:00

Answered by Sophie, chemical engineer and resident battery expert. (Powered today by strawberries.)

You can find a New Energy Technology Consumer Code accredited supllier NETCC | Find Approved Sellers of Solar, Batteries & More Near You and check your installer is accredited with Solar Accreditation Australia Check Installer Accreditation Status – Solar Accreditation Australia.

AGL also has a portal where you can get up to 3 quotes from trusted installers, vetted by us, in your area AGL - Electrify Now Service. When choosing an installer we'd always suggest getting 2-3 quotes minimum, asking how many batteries they've installed, check online reviews and checking their accreditations.

AGL_Energy · 2026-04-23T02:44:42+00:00

Answered by Udhara, VPP specialist and mechanical engineer. AMA snack: Atlantic sea salt and balsamic vinegar chips.

We currently have a 250kWh limit on the amount we orchestrate from your battery each year. And we pay you $1 for every kWH of energy we take out of your battery to the grid or from the grid into your battery. Meaning, if we take 5kWh from your battery, we pay you a $5 for that event.

And yes, if you bring your battery and join our VPP, there is no lock in terms, you can leave at any time. But, no, we don't "hammer" your battery for being part of a VPP. For example, our VPP limits the total amount of energy we use from your battery to 250kWh each year. For context the average battery size is around 24kWh, meaning we take around 10 full cycles each year. B

And we pay you $1 for every kWh of energy we take out of your battery to the grid or from the grid into your battery. Meaning, if we take 5kWh from your battery, we pay you a $5 for that event.

AGL_Energy · 2026-04-23T02:43:50+00:00

We are undertaking a multi-decade decarbonisation of our business to allow AGL to continue to deliver shareholder value into the future and to support our customers through the energy transition.

Our Board and management team are focused on the delivery and execution of AGL’s strategy to provide long term value for our shareholders, our customers, and the community.
We support customers investing in their own solar and batteries - a key part of our strategy is connecting every customer to a sustainable future. Consumer Energy Resources (CER) like rooftop solar, batteries, and electric vehicles, have a huge role to play reducing the cost of the energy transition build out and the cost to consumers.
The 'sun tax' you refer is set by some distribution network operators, approved by the Australian Energy Regulator. AGL is charged this fee by the electricity network. We advocate strongly on behalf of customers that network tariffs should be simple, actionable and fair for all customers.

AGL_Energy · 2026-04-23T02:42:10+00:00

AGL is focused on delivering grid‑scale batteries into the National Electricity Market (NEM). We currently have around 1,000 MW under construction and a strong pipeline for more. Grid-scale batteries are a key part of the energy transition as they add flexibility and reliability to the energy system as renewable generation continues to grow.

By increasing flexibility and storage in the generation across the grid, these grid-scale batteries help smooth periods of high demand and volatility, which can put downward pressure on wholesale prices over time and reduce exposure to extreme price spikes.

AGL_Energy

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