Frequently Asked Questions
No. A solar system is made up of panels, an inverter, mounting rails and wiring, and the quality of each part affects how much power you get and how long the system lasts. Panels and inverters differ in efficiency, warranty and how well they handle heat, shade and coastal salt air. We design each system around your roof and usage, and your quote names the exact panels, inverter and battery we recommend so you can compare them.
A typical home solar install takes around a day on the roof, and adding a battery can add another half day to a full day. Bigger or more complex jobs, like three-phase homes, steep or tiled roofs, or switchboard upgrades, can take longer. Before work starts, the system also needs network approval from Ausgrid and a meter change through your retailer, which can add some time. Ask us about current lead times when you get your quote.
Panels on the approved list are tested for wind load and hail impact, and mounting systems must be installed to the Australian wind-loading standard for your area. Near the coast, wind and salt spray are also worth considering when choosing rails, fixings and inverter locations. If a severe storm does damage your system, it's usually covered by your home insurance, so let your insurer know you have solar. Ask us what we'd recommend for your site.
In Sydney, each kilowatt (kW) of panels produces roughly 3.5–4 kWh a day on average over a year. You'll get more in summer and less in winter. So a 6 kW system makes about 21–24 kWh a day, and a 10 kW system about 35–40 kWh. Your actual output depends on which way the roof faces, its tilt and any shading, and we'll give you an estimate for your home in your quote.
Very little. Rain does most of the cleaning, but homes near the beach or under trees benefit from an occasional gentle clean with water and a soft brush. Never use a pressure washer. Keep an eye on your monitoring app, since a sudden drop in output can point to a fault. A professional safety and performance check every few years is a good idea, and battery software usually updates automatically. Ask us about servicing for your system.
Almost always. Solar panels add roughly 10–15 kg per square metre, which most sound roofs on Sydney homes handle without any trouble. Tin, tile and Klip-Lok roofs can all take panels with the right mounting system. We check your roof during the assessment, and if we find anything like old or cracked tiles, rusted sheets or a weak structure, we'll tell you before installing.
Your panels still make power, just less of it. Output on a heavily overcast day can drop to a fraction of a sunny day's, while light cloud has a smaller effect. Your home automatically draws whatever extra it needs from your battery (if you have one) or the grid, so the lights never flicker. Annual output estimates already allow for Sydney's normal cloudy days.
Solar panels don't produce power at night. Without a battery, your home simply draws from the grid after sunset. With a battery, the extra solar you didn't use during the day is stored and used in the evening and overnight, when power is most expensive. That's why more and more Northern Beaches homes are choosing solar plus battery.
It can help. Buyers are increasingly looking at running costs, and a quality solar and battery system with lower power bills, transferable warranties and good documentation is an attractive feature. How much it adds depends on the property, the system and the market, so we don't promise a figure. We give you the paperwork, warranty documents and compliance certificates so it's easy to show buyers.
Usually, yes. It depends on how much spare capacity your inverter has, how much roof space is left, and Ausgrid's export and connection limits for your property. Sometimes the simplest option is a second inverter or a hybrid inverter that also runs a battery. If you think you'll want more panels, a battery or an EV charger later, tell us at the start and we'll design the system so it's easy to expand.
Most modern inverters and batteries come with a free app showing in real time what your panels are producing, what your home is using, what's going into or out of your battery, and what you're exporting to the grid. Your electricity bill also shows your exported kWh and feed-in credits, and your retailer's app may show data from your smart meter. Ask us to help you set up the monitoring app.
There are usually three types. Panels come with a product warranty from the manufacturer, plus a separate performance warranty on their power output. Inverters and batteries have their own manufacturer warranties. The installer's workmanship warranty covers the installation itself. Exact terms depend on the products you choose, so we'll explain the warranty options for your system in your quote. Ask us if you'd like to compare warranties between brands.
Under the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program, the discount depends on your battery's usable size and when it's installed. For installs up to 31 December 2026, a 10 kWh battery gets around $2,700 off and a 20 kWh battery around $4,700. Larger batteries get a smaller discount per kWh, and the rate drops on 1 January 2027. We take the discount off your quote upfront. See our Battery page for the full breakdown.
Only if it's set up for backup. Many batteries can keep essential circuits running during an outage, like lights, the fridge, internet and some power points, and some can back up the whole home. A battery without backup wiring shuts down with the grid for safety. If backup matters to you, which is common on the Northern Beaches after storms, ask us about backup options for your home when we prepare your quote.
A virtual power plant (VPP) is a program run by an energy retailer or provider that links thousands of home batteries and uses some of their stored energy at times of peak demand. In return, you get paid. In NSW, connecting your battery to an eligible VPP can also earn a one-off incentive under the state's Peak Demand Reduction Scheme, calculated on up to 28 kWh of battery capacity. The amount varies by provider. You don't have to join a VPP to get the federal battery rebate.
Yes. To get the federal battery discount, the battery has to be installed with a new or existing solar system. It must also be an approved product, between 5 and 100 kWh in size, capable of joining a VPP, and installed by a Solar Accreditation Australia–accredited battery installer. Already have solar? Adding a battery to your existing system qualifies, provided it meets those rules. We check eligibility for you during your free assessment.