Solar battery upgrades
You already have solar. A battery upgrade means you stop giving your generation away
If you have a solar system without battery storage, a large part of what your panels generate during the day is being exported to the grid at the current feed-in tariff rate. That rate is significantly lower than what you pay to buy power back from Ergon Energy in the evening. Adding a battery changes that equation. You store what you generate and use it yourself when it has the most value.
You do not need to replace your existing solar system to do this. In most cases we can retrofit battery storage to what you already have. The right approach depends on your existing inverter, your switchboard and how you want the battery to work, and we assess all of this before recommending anything.
We also carry out upgrades for homeowners whose existing battery has reached end of life, whose current storage capacity is no longer sufficient for their household, or who want to move from an older battery technology to a more capable modern system.
How it works
How we approach a battery upgrade or retrofit
After we visit
What happens after the upgrade is installed
Once the battery is installed and configured, we walk you through how the system works before we leave. We show you how to read the monitoring platform, explain how charge and discharge schedules are set up, and confirm what circuits will run during a power outage if backup is part of your setup.
You receive documentation covering the installation, the system configuration and the warranty details for your new battery. This forms the start of your battery’s maintenance record, which matters for manufacturer warranty claims down the track.
We remain your point of contact after installation. If the system is not behaving as expected, if your power bills are not moving in the direction you anticipated, or if you want to review the configuration as your household usage changes, call us and we will look into it.
Townsville
Why adding storage to an existing system makes so much sense in Townsville
Townsville has around 320 sunny days per year. Most solar systems here generate more power than the household can consume during the middle of the day, with the surplus going to the grid. At the same time, air conditioning demand in the evening keeps grid draw high long after the sun has gone down. That gap between peak generation and peak consumption is exactly where a battery pays for itself fastest.
The Federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program makes the economics of a retrofit more accessible than they have been at any point in the history of battery storage. The rebate applies to existing solar systems adding storage for the first time, not just new installs. For a Townsville home with a working solar system that has been exporting surplus for years, the case for adding a battery right now is straightforward.
We have been installing solar and battery systems in Townsville since 2005. We know the rooftops, the usage patterns, the tariff structures and the local conditions. When we recommend a battery size, it is based on your actual data, not a number from a brochure.
Common questions
Solar battery upgrade questions, answered
Can I add a battery to my existing solar system without replacing the inverter?
In most cases yes. We can retrofit a battery using AC coupling, which allows the battery to work alongside your current inverter without replacing it. Whether this is the right approach for your system depends on your inverter’s age, brand and compatibility. We assess this as part of every upgrade consultation.
Does the federal battery rebate apply to existing solar systems?
Yes. The Cheaper Home Batteries Program applies to battery retrofits on existing solar systems, not just new installs. We apply the rebate directly to your quote so you can see your actual cost upfront. Ask us about the current rebate value when you get in touch as the amount adjusts periodically.
What battery brands do you install for upgrades?
We supply and install Sigenergy SigenStor, GoodWe ESA and BYD systems. The most suitable option for a retrofit depends on your existing inverter, your switchboard and what you want the battery to do. We will recommend the right fit based on your specific setup.
Will a battery allow me to run my air conditioning at night?
It depends on the size of the battery and your air conditioner’s energy rating. During the assessment, we look at your actual usage data to recommend a battery size that can handle your evening cooling needs. We will give you a realistic picture of what the battery can and cannot cover before you commit.
What if my existing battery has failed or is no longer performing?
If your current battery has reached end of life or is significantly degraded, a replacement is usually the right answer. We assess your existing setup, advise on compatible replacement options and handle the full removal and installation. The federal rebate may also apply to a replacement depending on eligibility.
How long does a battery retrofit installation take?
Most battery retrofit installations are completed in a single day. Where a hybrid inverter upgrade or switchboard work is also required, the job may take a little longer. We will give you a clear timeframe in the written quote.
What is included in a battery upgrade
Every battery upgrade includes a full assessment of your existing system before any work is quoted or approved. Nothing is recommended until we understand your usage, your current setup and what you want the battery to achieve.
The upgrade covers: energy usage review and battery sizing based on your actual power bills and usage data; inverter and system compatibility assessment; switchboard and meterbox safety check; supply and installation of your chosen battery system by our own in-house electricians; federal rebate applied to your quote upfront; full system configuration including charge schedules, discharge priorities, backup circuit setup and tariff alignment; hot water and pool pump optimisation where applicable; monitoring platform setup and walkthrough before we leave; and installation documentation and warranty records provided on completion.
We supply Sigenergy SigenStor, GoodWe ESA and BYD systems. All installs are carried out by our own Clean Energy Council accredited electricians and solar technicians.
