No Solar Still Saving

Why Batteries Make Sense For Business

May 06, 20252 min read

Why Batteries Make Sense for Your Business—Even Without Solar

Save Money, Control Your Energy Costs, and Automate the Whole Process


If you're running a business in Australia, energy bills aren't just an expense—they’re often a headache.

But what if your power bill could become a strategic advantage instead?

Thanks to smarter tech and new tariffs, you can now use a battery system—with or without solar—to cut costs, protect cash flow, and stay ahead of the energy curve.

Yes, even without solar.

Here’s how.


🔄 You Can Now Charge Batteries From the Grid—And Save

In South Australia (and increasingly VIC and NSW), energy retailers now offer super-cheap power during the solar sponge (midday hours).

If you're on a Time-of-Use (TOU) or wholesale energy plan, that means:

  • ⚡ Power during 10am–3pm can be as low as 2–5¢/kWh

  • 🚨 Peak rates between 6am–10am and 3pm–10pm can reach 40–50¢/kWh

By charging a battery during the sponge, and using that stored energy later during peak hours, your business can:

  • Cut your peak grid consumption

  • Avoid nasty demand charges

  • Save thousands annually—even without panels on the roof


📊 Example: Office or Retail Site with 25kWh/day Usage

  • Grid charge during sponge: $1.25/day

  • Avoided peak power costs: ~$8–10/day

  • Net daily saving: ~$6–8

  • Annual saving: $2,000–$3,000+

And that's without solar. With solar, the savings grow even further.


🧠 Automation = Smarter, Not Harder

Sure, you could try to manage all of this manually…
…but most business owners don’t have the time.

That’s where the Jousto Energy Hub comes in.

It works quietly in the background to:

  • Detect sponge windows

  • Charge your battery at the lowest-cost times

  • Discharge to offset your peak usage

  • Keep your team focused—while it handles the smarts


💼 Which Businesses Can Benefit?

You don’t need to be running a factory to see serious savings.

Batteries make sense for:

  • 🏥 Clinics, dental, physio, vet practices

  • 🍽️ Cafes, bakeries, and restaurants

  • 🏢 Small offices (legal, financial, marketing, etc.)

  • 📦 Warehouses with fridges, forklifts, lighting

  • 🧰 Tradie sheds or workshops

Whether you're using 15kWh or 150kWh/day, the opportunity is real.


⚙️ No Solar? No Problem

The idea that you need solar to benefit from a battery is outdated.

Today, thanks to smart plans from providers like:

  • Energy Locals (TOU + VPP-ready plans)

  • LocalVolts (wholesale + peer-to-peer energy)

You can run a battery entirely on grid-charged energy—and still come out ahead.

Want full automation?
Let the Jousto Energy Hub run the show.


💬 How to Get Started

We’ll do the heavy lifting. You’ll get:

  • A clear savings model based on your usage

  • A smart battery system with or without solar

  • Setup of Jousto Energy Hub + automation

  • Help picking the right plan (TOU or wholesale)

  • Ongoing support and visibility

👉 Want to see how it works for your site?
Get a commercial battery quote here →

Denny Honen is a 20yr Renewable Energy Veteran. Denny is an Accredited solar and battery design engineer, and home energy auditor.

Denny Honen

Denny Honen is a 20yr Renewable Energy Veteran. Denny is an Accredited solar and battery design engineer, and home energy auditor.

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