General Battery Information

Frequently Asked Question 

 What is the implementation date for batteries? 

Implementation Date is defined in the PDRS Rule. For all battery activities (except BESS2) the Implementation Date is the date that the installation of all equipment is completed. This means the date that the battery is fully connected, approved and operational on the network. Being technically commissioned alone is not sufficient. The Implementation Date for activity BESS2 is the date the battery is onboarded with the demand response aggregator.  

 Can battery-only installations be undertaken, or is solar required? 

Battery-only installations are permitted for BESS3, BESS4, and BESS5. Additional incentives may be available where solar PV is also installed. BESS1 requires existing or new solar to be installed at the same National Metering Identifier (NMI). . 

 What does “behind the meter” solar batteries mean? 

“Behind the meter” is defined in the PDRS Rule as End-User Equipment that is installed and supplies energy to a Site with a National Metering Identifier.
This means batteries on the customer side supplying power to a home, business or industrial facility (not front of meter systems, which are connected at the utility side to supply directly to the grid). Only behind the meter battery systems are eligible for incentives under the PDRS. 

 Are off-grid battery energy storage systems eligible? 

No. The PDRS Rule requires the site to be connected to the NSW electricity network. Off-grid battery systems are not eligible for PDRS incentives. 

 Where can I get information on products I can use? 

Batteries installed under activities BESS1, BESS2, BESS3 and BESS4 must be listed on the Clean Energy Council (CEC) Approved Batteries list. Not all batteries listed on the CEC approved batteries meet PDRS Rule requirements. You must also ensure the products you use meet all equipment, eligibility and implementation requirements listed in the relevant activity definitions in the PDRS Rule.
Batteries installed under activity BESS5 do not need to be listed on the CEC Approved Batteries list, but they do need to meet all PDRS Rule requirements, including eligibility, equipment and implementation requirements set out in Activity Definition BESS5 in the PDRS Rule. 

 What are the hardware and operating requirements? 

Battery activity requirements are set out in the PDRS Rule. They include equipment, eligibility and implementation requirements such as connectivity, capacity and warranty requirements and relevant standards that must be met.
We recommend you review the requirements in the PDRS Rule and PDRS method guide for the relevant battery activities. 

 Can you clarify the 90-day solar installation requirement? 

The battery must be installed within (i.e. before or after) 90 days of new solar PV installation to qualify for the higher incentive. 

Common questions and answers published 7 August 2026