SOLAR • BATTERY • EV • BUYING ADVICE
Solar & Battery Learning Centre
Learn how solar, battery storage and EV charging work through practical guides, independent buying advice and expert insights that help you make confident energy decisions.
Expert Advice
Guidance from experienced solar professionals.
Independent & Honest
Clear information to help you make confident decisions.
Sydney Focused
Local rebate, regulation and installation guidance.
Current Guidance
Practical information reviewed as products, rebates and industry requirements change.
Explore Topics
Choose a topic below to explore practical solar, battery and energy guides.
Understand Solar & Battery
Learn how solar and batteries work and how they can help reduce your electricity bills.
Understand solar and battery costs, available rebates, and how to estimate your payback.
Installation process & Support
Learn about our installation process, warranties and ongoing support after your system is installed.
Choosing the Right System
Find the right system size, equipment and battery for your home and future energy needs.
ractical guides. Independent advice. Local expertise.
Knowledge Hub
Practical guidance to help you understand solar, compare your options and make more informed energy decisions.
How Home Solar Works
Solar turns sunlight into electricity your home can use, reducing the amount of power you need to buy from the grid.
1. Sunlight
Sunlight reaches the solar panels installed on your roof.
2. Solar panels
Solar panels convert sunlight into DC electricity.
3. Inverter
The inverter converts DC into AC electricity your home can use.
4. Your home
Your home uses available solar power before drawing from the grid.
5. Electricity Grid
The grid supplies power when solar is low, while suitable excess solar may be exported.
Understanding Battery Storage
A home battery stores excess solar energy for later use. It can help power your home in the evening, reduce grid electricity use and, with a compatible backup setup, support selected circuits during an outage.
1. Excess Solar
Excess solar energy can be stored for later use.
2. Battery Charges
Excess solar or grid energy charges the battery, depending on configuration.
3. Energy Stored
Stored energy is available for later use when your home needs it.
4. Home Use
Stored energy powers your home when solar is low.
5. System Monitoring
Monitor battery performance and home energy use.
How Solar and Battery Work Together
What Happens Throughout the Day
Daytime
Solar supplies your home first. Excess energy may charge the battery.
Evening
Stored battery energy can help power your home after solar production falls.
Blackout
With compatible backup equipment and system design, selected circuits may continue operating during an outage.
Export
Once household and battery needs are met, suitable excess solar may be exported to the grid.
What Affects Solar System Cost?
The cost of a solar system depends on more than the number of panels. System size, equipment, roof conditions and installation requirements can all affect the final price.
1. System Size
Larger systems require more panels, equipment and installation work.
2. Panel Selection
Panel cost, performance, warranty and manufacturer.
3. Inverter
Inverter type, capacity and features influence both price and system design.
4. Roof & Site
Roof layout, shading and switchboard jobs can affect installation complexity.
5. Installation
Electrical work and site conditions both affect installation prices.
What Affects Battery Cost?
Battery pricing depends on the amount of storage you need, the equipment selected and how the battery integrates with your solar and electrical system.
1. Battery Capacity
Larger usable storage capacity generally increases system cost.
2. Battery Technology
Battery chemistry, warranty and system features can affect price and costs.
3. Hybrid Equipment
Some homes may require a compatible inverter, gateway or additional control equipment.
4. Backup Capability
Backup power may require additional equipment and electrical work.
5.Installation & Integration
Battery location, switchboard work and system features can affect the cost.
Solar & Battery Rebates
Government incentives can reduce the upfront cost of eligible solar and battery systems. Programs and eligibility requirements can change over time.
Solar Rebates
Eligible solar systems may receive an rebate under applicable schemes.
Battery Rebates
Eligible homes may have access to battery-related rebate.
Eligibility Matters
System, property and installation requirements can affect eligibility.
Understanding Payback
Payback is the time it takes for electricity savings and applicable incentives to recover the upfront cost of your system.
Upfront Cost
System price after applicable incentives.
Electricity Usage
How much electricity consumed and when you use it.
Solar Self-Consumption
Using more of your solar directly .
Electricity Prices
Rising electricity rates increases the value of energy storage.
What Happens During Solar Installation?
A clear process from initial assessment to a fully commissioned system.
1. Site assessment
Assess your roof, consumption, switchboard, and installation requirements.
2. System Design
The system is designed around your property, energy needs and suitable equipment.
3. Approvals & Planning
Network applications, documentation and installation planning are completed in advance.
4. Installation
Panels, inverter and electrical equipment are installed in accordance with the approved system design.
5. Testing & Handover
The system is tested, commissioned and explained to you before handover.
After Your System Is Installed
A quality solar system should continue to be supported after installation. Monitoring, warranty support and periodic checks can help keep it operating as intended.
1. System Handover
Understand how your system runs and where to find key information.
2. Monitoring
Track solar and system performance through a monitoring platform.
3. Warranty Support
Know which warranties apply to your system and installation.
4. Maintenance
Solar systems generally require limited maintenance...
5. Technical Support
They will identify changes in system performance and recommend next action.
Warranty & Support
Product Warranties
The system has manufacturer warranty terms.
Workmanship
Installation workmanship should also be covered.
Documentation
Keep serial numbers and warranty information.
Support
Know who to contact if your system requires assistance.
Monitoring & Maintenance
Check Production
Knowhow much energy your system normally produces.
Review Monitoring
Monitoring apps can help identify unusual performance.
Keep Panels Clear
Heavy dirt, debris or shading may affect production.
Ask When Unsure
If performance changes unexpectedly, assess the system.
Choosing the Right Solar System Size
The right solar system size depends on your electricity usage, available roof space and how your energy needs may change in the future.
1. Electricity Usage
Start with how much electricity your household uses over a day and year.
2. Daytime Usage
Homes using more electricity during day hours may use more solar directly.
3. Roof Space
Roof area, orientation and shading affect how many panels can be installed.
4. Future Energy Needs
Consider future loads such as EV charger, pool or electric appliances.
5. Export Limits
Network export limits may affect how much excess solar can be sent to the grid.
Choosing the Right Battery Size
Battery size should be based on how much excess solar you generate, how much electricity you use outside solar hours and what you want the battery to achieve.
1. Evening Usage
Estimate how much electricity your home uses after solar production falls.
2. Excess Solar
Consider how much excess solar energy can be used to charge the battery.
3. Usable Capacity
Compare usable battery capacity, not just the headline storage figure.
4. Backup Needs
Decide if backup is needed and which circuits you want supported.
5. Future Needs
Consider future electricity use, additional appliances and EV charging.
Is Your Roof Suitable for Solar?
Orientation
North-facing roof space can be beneficial, while east- and west-facing panels can also perform well depending on household usage.
Shading
Shading and roof structures can reduce solar radiation.
Roof Condition
The roof should be suitable for installing solar panels.
Available Space
Roof shape, vents and other obstructions affect panel layout.
Compare When Choosing Equipment
Warranty
Compare warranty length, coverage and claim conditions.
Local Support
Consider the manufacturer's Australian support network.
System Compatibility
Panels, inverter, battery and monitoring should work together appropriately.
Performance & Features
Compare features that matter to your household rather than specifications alone.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions from Sydney homeowners.
How much does solar cost in Sydney?
It’s depends on a range of factors including:
- the solar system’s size
- the brand and quality of the hardware components
- the quality of the installation and level of after-sales service
- challenges to installation, such as a steep roof, difficult access or a multi-storey building
- extras that might be needed, such as an upgraded switchboard, rack mounting or extended cabling
- adding a battery, which can be a large upfront cost.
Single-Phase or Three-Phase Inverter?
- If you have a single-phase supply, your inverter must be single phase.
- If your property has a 3-phase electricity supply, your solar system could use either a single-phase or a 3-phase inverter.
- A 3-phase inverter is more expensive but offers higher power capacity (a bigger system size).
- A 3-phase system would have higher connection and export limits.
How long do solar panels last?
- Average Lifespan: 25–30+ years of active electricity production.
- Degradation Rate: Most panels lose less than 0.5% to 0.8% capacity per year.
- Output at 25 Years: Panels generally still produce 80% to 90% of their original power.
- Performance Warranties: Most tier-one manufacturers guarantee at least 80–88% output performance at the 25-year mark.
How long does installation take?
- Installation can take 1–3 days, depending on the size of the system and complexity of the job.
- The installation is likely to run more smoothly if your installer has visited the site beforehand.
- Installation is one step in the process of getting your solar connected. There may be delays, but a good installer or solar retailer should communicate clearly and keep you informed.
What warranties should I expect?
A Product warranty covers faulty products.
- Solar panel performance warranty
- Workmanship warranty
- Battery warranties
- Insuring your solar system
- Warranties usually do not cover things like hail damage. You can add another level of protection by taking out insurance on your solar system.
Do all battery systems have a backup function?
Battery system with Hybrid inverterr provide back-up power during a power outage.
A battery can provide back-up power during an outage, but it must be configured to do so.
During a power outage, you may need to manage your electricity use to make the most from the energy stored in your battery and avoid overloading the battery inverter.
What Rebates and Loans Are Available for Solar and Batteries?
- The Australian Government’s Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) reduces the cost of most new residential and business rooftop solar systems.
- From 1 July 2025, the Australian Government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program is providing around a 30% discount on the cost of installing a battery as part of an expansion to the SRES.
- Rebates and loans are also provided by some state and territory governments and local councils.
How do I choose the right system size?
- available sunny roof area on your property
amount of electricity you use and when you use it - price you pay for electricity and the feed-in tariff
- the amount of sunshine in your climate region
your budget. - Working out the best system size can be complicated. Solar retailers and installers usually use specialist solar quoting software to determine a suitable system size and design, and estimate the projected savings.
What questions should you ask your solar installer?
- if the battery complies with standards for safety and performance
- whether the manufacturer can identify the battery by batch number if there is a fault
- if the battery supplier has Australian recall insurance or can prove that they can afford to conduct a recall if needed
- which warranties are the responsibility of the installer or the manufacturer.
How Do I Choose a Reliable Solar Installer?
- As well as choosing an accredited installer to set up your solar system, here are some things to conside
- Consider the experience of the company and whether they have technical and sales support in Australia.
- A local, accredited installer is likely to be readily available for follow-up services—ask your neighbours for recommendations.
- Search online for reviews about a solar retailer or installer.
- Be cautious of cold callers, doorknockers and cheap, heavily advertised or telemarketer solar retailers.
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