Can You Move Your Solar Battery to a New Home?

Solar Batteries and Moving House: What to Know

Australians have embraced batteries such as Tesla Powerwall, Sungrow’s modular stacks, and Sigenergy’s AI-driven SigenStor. But property moves happen. If you’re changing postcodes, should you take that pricey battery with you? Below, we unpack whether you can relocate a battery and, more importantly, whether you should, with a clear eye on Australian standards, warranties, and upcoming incentives such as the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program.

Can you physically move a home battery?

Yes. Most lithium systems can be removed and reinstalled, provided the work is done by a CEC-accredited electrician who follows AS/NZS 5139:2019 and AS/NZS 5033:2021. Key realities:

• Accredited labour only. Decommissioning, transport, and re-commissioning must be performed by qualified personnel.
• Specialised handling. Batteries weigh 120 kg or more and are classed as dangerous goods in transit.
• Site-specific engineering. AS/NZS 5139 requires non-combustible backing and strict clearances from habitable rooms. These rules have been in force since 2019, so a new installation must meet them even if the original 2017 job did not.
• Documentation. A new Electrical Work Request, DNSP approval, and updated compliance certificates are mandatory. None of this is DIY territory.

The real-world cost of relocation

Relocation involves three bills:

1. Safe decommissioning – isolating AC/DC circuits, removing switches, and lifting the unit.
2. Transport – crating, insurance, and in-transit compliance.
3. Re-installation – new cabling, protection devices, and paperwork. Owner reports and installer quotes put combined costs between $1,800 and $5,000, rising toward $8,000 for complex or remote jobs. Those numbers exclude any switchboard upgrades or replacement parts.

Will your warranty and compliance survive the move?

Battery warranties are location-specific unless the manufacturer signs off on relocation and an accredited installer does the work. Clauses to watch:

• Location-bound. Coverage is valid only at an approved address.
• Continuity of connection. Long storage gaps or deep discharges can void the cover.
• Brand conditions. For example, Sigenergy and Sungrow both require relocation by authorised partners; Tesla directs owners to Tesla-certified installers and Energy Locals for plan updates. Get written approval before lifting a spanner.

CEC listing: Nuance matters

If you relocate an older hybrid inverter that once appeared on the CEC-approved list but has since been delisted, you can still reconnect it, provided:

• The unit met CEC rules at the time of original installation.
• No new STCs are being claimed (STCs cannot be reclaimed on relocated hardware).
• Your DNSP accepts the safety paperwork.

If, however, the relocation involves system alterations or a new STC claim, a currently listed inverter is essential.

Does moving a battery make economic sense?

For most households, no. A new 10 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery installed in mid-2025 costs about $10,000 – $14,000 before incentives. From 1 July 2025, the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program will shave roughly 30 % (≈ $3,300 – $3,700) off an eligible 10 kWh battery, bringing the net price down to ≈ $7,700 – $9,800. Relocation quotes often hover between one-quarter and two-thirds of that figure, yet deliver:

• A partially used warranty.
• Older battery-management firmware.
• Zero eligibility for federal or most state rebates (NSW stacking still unconfirmed; WA offers an additional $1,300–$3,800 but only on new installs aligned with the federal scheme). The fresh-install path usually wins on both cost and peace of mind.

Alternatives to relocation

Leave it in place. Batteries boost property value because buyers love low bills and blackout protection. Make the system a selling point. Install a tailored system at the new address. Start with a clean slate: right-size the array, match tariffs and climate, and capture full warranties plus any federal and state discounts. Choose modular from day one. If future moves are likely, systems like Sigenergy SigenStor (5 kWh or 8 kWh blocks) and Sungrow LFP modules (3.2 kWh each; minimum three per stack) slice labour time, but warranty sign-off is still vital.

Brand snapshots

• Sigenergy SigenStor – Integrated inverter-battery-EV-charger tower; AI energy management; 5 kWh and 8 kWh modules. Relocation is possible, but still heavy and requires CEC sign-off.
• Sungrow modular LFP battery – 3.2 kWh modules stack to suit 9.6 kWh – 25.6 kWh systems. Lighter modules trim handling costs, yet compliance paperwork is unchanged.
• Tesla Powerwall –  Tesla acknowledges relocations via certified installers. Third-party quotes cluster around $2,000 – $5,000; some owners have reported outlier figures above $7,000 for difficult sites. Always request written, itemised pricing.

Key takeaways for homeowners

• Feasible but costly. Technical relocation is straightforward; financial relocation rarely stacks up.
• Get the paperwork first. Manufacturer approval and CEC-level workmanship preserve warranty.
• Standards haven’t suddenly changed, but you must meet them. AS/NZS 5139 has applied since 2019; any new site must comply fully.
• Incentives favour new installs. STCs and the Cheaper Home Batteries Program only apply to new systems. NSW stacking rules are still being finalised; WA’s subsidy is confirmed to be stackable.
• Weigh the sale value. Leaving the battery often boosts your listing price enough to fund most of a new system.

Conclusion

Relocating a home battery is possible, but economics and convenience nearly always favour installing a new, incentive-backed unit at your next address. Unless your existing battery is virtually brand-new, modular, and cheap to move with full warranty intact, keep the sale simple and put the savings toward a system optimised for your new roof. Need expert, local advice? Your Energy Answers can connect you with accredited installers to design a future-proof solar-plus-storage solution.