Australia’s surge in solar power is world-leading, but energy storage is lagging behind. Are more affordable household batteries on the horizon?

On a suburban street in Perth, surrounded by pre-war homes and peppermint trees, signs of Australia’s evolving energy system are evident.

Almost every second property features solar panels mounted on the roof, generating electricity as the bright West Australian sun reaches its zenith.

Among them is the home of Alan Benn, a retired electronics engineer.