Guides
In-depth guides
The federal battery rebate, explained
How the Cheaper Home Batteries Program reduces your upfront cost — rate, taper and a worked example.
What size home battery do I need?
Typical kWh ranges by household type, and the four things that actually decide your size.
How solar payback is actually calculated
The formula behind a payback period claim, and why we calculate it from your property rather than publish a generic number.
Solar
Solar questions
What size solar system suits my home?
System size is a balance of four things: available roof space and orientation, how much electricity you use during daylight hours, the export limit approved by your local distribution network (DNSP), and your budget. A system sized purely to "fill the roof" often exports more than it needs to and doesn't necessarily suit your usage pattern better than a smaller, well-matched one. We work from your electricity bill and household routine first.
Does roof shading really matter that much?
Yes — partial shading on even a small section of panels can disproportionately reduce output, depending on how the system is wired. Panel layout and string design can reduce this impact, which is one reason a proper site assessment matters more than a satellite-image quote.
Do I need council or strata approval for solar?
Most standalone houses don't need council approval for a standard rooftop system. Strata properties, heritage-listed homes and some local planning overlays can have extra requirements — we'll flag this during your assessment if it's likely to apply.
Battery storage
Battery questions
Is a battery right for my existing solar?
It depends on how much solar you currently export unused, how much electricity you use in the evening, and whether your existing inverter can support a battery without major changes. This is usually answerable from your bill and system details before any site visit.
What should I know about backup power?
Most battery systems don't automatically back up your entire home — backup is usually a defined set of essential circuits (lighting, fridge, internet, for example), set up deliberately during installation. Deciding what matters most during an outage before the system is designed avoids disappointment later.
How long do home batteries typically last?
This varies by product and warranty terms, which we'll confirm for the specific battery being proposed for your property rather than quoting a generic industry figure.
EV charging
EV charging questions
Can my switchboard support an EV charger?
Many older switchboards don't have available capacity for a dedicated EV circuit without an upgrade. This is one of the first things we check, before discussing which charger to install.
Is a faster charger always better?
Not necessarily. Most home charging happens overnight, so a charger matched to your available supply and typical daily driving is usually more sensible than the fastest unit on the market, which may require three-phase supply and a larger electrical upgrade.
Electrical
Electrical & switchboard questions
How do I know if my switchboard needs upgrading?
Common signs include ceramic fuses instead of circuit breakers, no safety switches (RCDs) fitted, visible scorching or loose wiring, or simply no spare capacity for solar, battery or EV additions. See switchboard upgrades for more detail.
What's the difference between single-phase and three-phase power?
Most homes run single-phase power, which is sufficient for typical household loads including standard EV charging. Three-phase supply carries more capacity and is common in larger homes, homes with ducted air conditioning, and most commercial sites — it can also allow faster EV charging where supported.
Commercial
Commercial project questions
What information is needed for a commercial energy assessment?
Recent electricity bills, your site's approximate roof or ground space, operating hours, and any known switchboard or supply constraints such as three-phase capacity. This is enough to scope a project enquiry before a site visit is arranged.
Can solar, battery and EV charging be staged over time?
Yes — many commercial projects are staged. Where that's the plan, we design the initial electrical and supply work with future stages in mind, so later additions don't require redoing earlier work.