They’re known for the best budget groceries and bargain Special Buys, but now Aldi has just announced a bold new venture that could change the way Australians power their homes.

The German supermarket giant, famous for undercutting Coles and Woolworths on everything from milk to mattresses, has confirmed it is expanding into the residential solar market, promising to help households slash thousands from their electricity bills.

From Wednesday, September 10, shoppers across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and the ACT will be able to pre-order an Aldi Solar package, with installations kicking off from November this year.

The move is being hailed as the next step in the retailer’s push into everyday services, following on from the huge success of Aldi Mobile, Aldi Holidays and Aldi Insurance.

Executives say the aim is simple – to bring the same straightforward value that Aldi offers in its supermarkets into one of the most complex industries facing Australian households today.

‘Bringing Aldi Solar to more Aussies along the Eastern Seaboard is an exciting step for us,’ said Simon Padovani-Ginies, Group Director at Aldi Australia.

He said the initiative stays true to Aldi’s ‘Good Different’ philosophy, offering Australians a service that is easy to understand and cost-effective.

Under the scheme, households can choose between two packages: a $6,999 system with a 10kWh battery or an $8,499 system with a 20kWh battery.

They’re known for the best budget groceries and bargain Special Buys, but now Aldi has just announced a bold new venture that could change the way Australians power their homes

The German supermarket giant has confirmed it is expanding into the residential solar market, promising to help households slash thousands from their electricity bills

The move is being hailed as the next step in the retailer’s push into everyday services, following on from the huge success of Aldi Mobile, Aldi Holidays and Aldi Insurance

Each comes bundled with 15 solar panels, a 5.5kW inverter, blackout protection at no extra charge, and is backed by a 10-year warranty plus a 25-year performance guarantee on the panels.

Unlike other solar providers, Aldi have promised there will be no nasty surprises.

The company is promising all-inclusive, upfront pricing, removing the hidden fees and add-ons that often leave homeowners frustrated.

Simon said their solar is designed to cut through the ‘complexity and uncertainty’ that has long plagued the solar market.

‘With straightforward pricing, flexible battery options, installation by certified experts and an exceptional payback period, Aldi Solar puts power back in the hands of households ready to take control of their energy costs.’

The retailer has partnered with Tempo Energy to deliver and install the packages, after a successful trial in Victoria last year.

Tempo’s General Manager of Energy, Craig Handley, said ALDI’s entry into the market would be a ‘remarkable change’ for homeowners who have long been deterred by confusing and costly solar options.

‘With our climate it’s hard to argue about the benefits of a well-designed solar and battery system,’ Craig explained.

Simon Padovani-Ginies, Group Director at Aldi Australia has said the initiative stays true to Aldi’s ‘Good Different’ philosophy, offering Australians a service that is easy to understand and cost-effective

‘However, the path to purchase has often been confusing and difficult… getting the benefits of solar and a battery has never been as simple as Aldi Solar.’

The system has been designed with payback periods in mind, and Aldi estimates most families will recoup their investment within three to four years.

With the Federal Government’s battery rebate also helping to lower the upfront costs, larger battery capacities will now be within reach for more households.

This means families can store excess solar energy generated during the day and use it during peak times, further reducing bills.

For now, installations will only be available in select metropolitan postcodes along the east coast, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, the Gold Coast, Newcastle and Wollongong.

The retailer has partnered with Tempo Energy to deliver and install the packages, after a successful trial in Victoria last year. They are also promising all-inclusive, upfront pricing, removing the hidden fees and add-ons

However, insiders say this could just be the beginning of a much bigger rollout.

Simon added that Aldi is determined to use its global scale to drive down costs and simplify complicated industries.

‘If Aldi’s got an opportunity to use its scale and market influence to offer customers a simplified process, reduce costs and protect them from rising bills in the future, then we see we’ve got a role to play there.’

The move cements Aldi’s reputation as a disruptor – not just in groceries, but increasingly across services Australians rely on every day.

With the cost-of-living crisis biting hard, the retailer believes there has never been a better time to step in.

And for households looking to cut their power bills while going greener, Aldi Solar could soon become just as familiar as its middle-aisle bargains.