Solar battery installation: Prepare your home

Fact Checked

A solar battery storage unit can store the excess electricity your solar panels generate during the day, allowing your household to use that electricity at another time.

But solar battery installation can be quite complex, and it pays to have your battery properly installed. 

This Canstar Blue article addresses what households need to know before deciding whether, and how, to install a solar battery.

Important things to know about solar battery installation

Adding a battery to your solar system is an investment that may come with big benefits. But the price of a solar battery can be significant.

It’s essential to calculate how much you can save on grid electricity through using battery storage, as well as how long it will take to recoup your battery costs. Factors to consider include the length of time you intend to spend at your current residence, your household’s electricity use patterns and the size of your solar panel system and battery.

For most homes, storing electricity for your own use will result in a bigger cost saving than sending all of your excess electricity back to the grid in return for a solar feed-in tariff (FiT). Consider the rate you pay for electricity and the FiT you receive on your electricity plan; for a rough idea of the trade-off, it helps to know the rate paid for electricity on average and the current minimum and maximum FiTs.

Types of battery installations

According to Solar Quotes, there are three different types of solar battery installations.

Off-grid battery installation

This type of solar battery installation will be the most expensive, due to the custom-design set-up for remote areas. The design is based on how many kilowatt hours (kWh) are going to be used each day and will require a backup generator, as they are stand alone systems. 

Grid-connected battery installation

The most common solar battery installation is the grid-connected battery installation. 

The reason this set up is so beneficial is that you can store surplus solar energy rather than exporting it all back to the electricity grid. This option is becoming more popular as solar FiTs decrease, making the financial benefit for selling your surplus energy far less than it used to be.

It’s important to note that some grid-connected solar systems don’t offer backup or blackout protection, so make sure you speak with your installer if you would like backup included. It will typically cost more.

If you would like to calculate the savings of adding a battery to your current solar system, you can run the numbers with Solar Quotes’s calculator.

Grid-connected battery with backup installation

A grid-connected battery with backup allows you to access stored electricity during a power outage, either via a backup circuit through the inverter or one which activates an external gateway when the grid goes down. 

Installing a battery with backup will cost more due to the extra inverter needed, as well as the cost of separating essential and nonessential circuits. Separating these circuits allows the limited energy stored within the battery to go towards your fridge and lights, rather than being wasted on standby power.

The benefits of adding a battery to a solar system

The benefits of adding a solar battery to your solar panel system include increased energy independence, the likelihood of lower energy bills and a reduced demand for fossil-fuelled electricity.

Solar batteries allow solar users to store solar energy to be used when convenient, instead of being restricted to using power as it’s generated – sunny, daylight hours only. Solar batteries can be charged with unused solar power: this power can be used at night, during overcast days when your panels generate less electricity and times when your home energy demand exceeds the amount of power generated by your panels. 

Being able to use your solar-generated electricity whenever required means you’ll be less reliant on the electricity grid, leading to lower electricity bills.

Most solar systems with solar batteries are grid-connected. Another benefit of a solar battery is selling excess solar power back to the grid and receiving a FiT, though the amount will depend on your solar electricity plan.

What solar battery rebates are available?

Some of Australia’s state governments are currently offering solar rebates or incentives for customers to install a new solar battery from accredited suppliers. More information is available from your battery installer.

• The Victorian Government is offering an interest-free loan of up to $8,800 for solar systems in Victoria.
• The New South Wales Government has a discount available for customers who install a solar battery in Sydney based on its usable capacity. Discounts range between $700 and $1,150 for a 6.5 kWh battery, and $1,600 and $2,400 for a 13.5 kWh battery.
• For solar customers in Perth, the Western Australian Government will introduce an incentive of $500/kWh, max 10kWh for Synergy customers – capped at 19,000 households. Horizon Power customers can claim a rebate of $750/kWh, max 10kWh and capped at 1,000 households. However, applications are not open yet and are slated to open by July 1 2025. 
• The Queensland Government was offering a Battery Booster Rebate for solar systems in QLD, however this program has ended.
• The South Australian Government is not currently offering any solar battery incentives for solar customers in SA. The Home Battery Scheme was offering $2,000 subsidies but is now closed.

How long does it take to install a solar battery?

Your battery installer should give you a timeframe for installation, but for a general idea, basic installations that don’t require any wiring issues will be finished in half a day. 

Solar systems with additional components or required additional wiring may take one or two days.

An entire solar system installation will be far more complicated and can vary in installation time frames, but generally will be completed within two days, says Solar Quotes.

Installing a solar battery: dos and don’ts

Before you commit to adding a battery to your solar system, there are some important things you should and shouldn’t do.

When installing a battery, you should:

Choose a safe, optimal location

Location plays a crucial role in a solar battery’s performance, lifespan and ability to maintain them safely. Choose a well-ventilated location because solar batteries generate heat during charging and discharging which needs to dissipate to avoid damage to the battery and its surroundings.

Being located in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and other heat sources will also improve your battery’s performance and extend its lifespan. Batteries can be placed inside or outside your home – the garage is a common location – as long as the battery is easily accessible, with sufficient room for maintenance and repairs to be undertaken safely.

Consider the battery size and compatibility

The solar battery you are considering should have sufficient capacity and be compatible with the solar panels you have or are considering installing. The battery size refers to the amount of electricity it can store and supply to your home during power outages or peak demand periods.

While a larger battery capacity means increased hours of back-up electricity, it also comes with a higher price tag. So, it doesn’t make sense to buy a battery with much greater capacity than your electricity usage requires. You should also ensure that the battery is compatible with your solar panel system; not all batteries work with all panels and incompatible systems can lead to decreased battery performance and safety risks.

Monitor and optimise your solar battery system

After installing your solar battery system, you should monitor and optimise its performance regularly to make the most of its benefits. This can be done by using special monitoring software or apps that allow you to track your energy consumption and production, battery charge level and other metrics.

You can use this information to adjust your energy usage patterns, estimate your savings and identify any potential issues that may affect your solar battery system. You can also optimise your system by scheduling the battery charge and discharge cycles to align with your energy needs and the weather forecast.

When installing a battery, you shouldn’t:

Install the battery yourself

Installing a solar battery system may look like an easy DIY project, but it’s not recommended that you do so. Solar batteries are complex electrical devices that require expertise to install safely. Improper installation can lead to safety hazards, poorer performance and even damage to the battery or your home electrical system.

The Clean Energy Council (CEC) offers levels of accreditation for installers and electricians who want to design and install solar battery storage systems that are connected to the electricity grid. It’s also important to note the terms of your battery’s warranty, which may have specific guidelines on the installation of the battery for the warranty to be honoured.

Neglect the battery’s maintenance and safety guidelines

Although solar batteries require little maintenance compared to other home appliances, they still need periodic check-ups and upkeep. Some key maintenance tasks carried out by licensed installers include checking the battery charge level and inspecting the battery and its connections for any damages or abnormalities.

Make sure you follow the safety guidelines provided by the battery manufacturer to minimise the risks of fire, explosion and electrocution. Some common safety measures include using proper protective gear, avoiding overloading the battery and keeping children and pets away from the battery location. Your battery installer should be able to advise you on minimum maintenance requirements to ensure your warranty remains valid and your battery remains in good condition.

Where should I install my solar battery?

Your battery installer should explain the Australian regulations regarding solar battery location. Your solar battery can’t be installed near the switchboard and a fire-rated backboard must accompany batteries inside the house, unless the battery and wall are separated by 300mm. Additionally, this separation must be bigger if the battery is installed next to a habitable room. 

Solar Quotes says your installer should further recommend the solar battery not be installed in the garden, instead placing it in your garage. Where the garage is too hot or simply unavailable, an external solar installation will require an awning to ensure the battery’s longevity.

What to expect when getting a solar battery installed

If you’re considering getting a solar battery installed in your home, you might be wondering if you need to prepare your property beforehand. In most cases your battery installer will take care of the necessary preparations. They’ll assess your home’s current or yet-to-be installed system for compatibility with the solar battery and ensure that the full system meets any relevant safety standards.

However, it’s always a good idea to check with your installer beforehand so that you can make necessary arrangements. For example, some solar installation companies may ask you to keep your garage accessible and clear from any obstructions.

Do I need to prepare my home for solar battery installation?

Your preferred installation company will typically fill you in on the process and next steps for installing your solar battery, and potentially your full solar system. Depending on the battery type, if you have an existing solar system and the layout of your house, the installer should advise you on the best place to install the solar battery. 

Another common request from solar battery installers is for homeowners to secure their pets and keep an eye on their children while installation is taking place.

Compare solar electricity plans in your state

If you are looking at installing an entire solar system or retrofitting a solar battery to capitalise on potential solar FiTs, you can compare some of the best solar FiTs using the Canstar Blue tool below.

Compare Solar Energy Providers

Original reporting by Jared Mullane
Image Source: Sobrevolando Patagonia/Shutterstock.com