New solar or adding a battery? Find out what your home actually needs.
Want lower bills, blackout backup options or room for an electric car later? We’ll work out how solar and a battery could meet those goals, then put the proposed setup and costs in writing.
- What setup suits your roof and power use?
- Can your existing solar stay?
- What will the complete job cost after eligible discounts?
Starting fresh or building on existing solar? The plan starts with your home.
No solar yet?
We’ll assess your roof, electricity use and future plans, then recommend panels and a battery as one considered setup. You’ll see what each part is there to do before deciding.
Already generating your own power?
A battery can help you use more of your solar power after dark. First, we’ll check whether your current panels and inverter are suitable, then explain the options for adding storage.
What can solar and a battery do for your home?
Use your solar at home or sell it cheaply?
Solar Victoria says households that make the most of their solar can save up to $1,000 a year. That is because grid electricity costs about 26–32 cents per kilowatt-hour on current Victorian default rates, while many Melbourne plans advertise base feed-in rates of 1 cent or less. We’ll estimate how much solar your home could use, store and export before recommending a setup.
What happens when the power goes out?
Solar panels normally shut down during an outage. A battery can provide backup only when the system is designed and connected for it. We’ll ask which lights, appliances or parts of the home matter most, then explain what the proposed backup could run and what affects how long it may last.
A setup built around when and how you use power
- Start with your goals. Share your bills and tell us when you use power, whether you plan to add an electric car or other electric appliances, and whether blackout backup matters.
- Check the roof and current equipment. We look at sun, shade and roof space. If you already have solar, we check the panels and inverter before suggesting any changes.
- Work out the solar. We estimate what your roof could generate and how that compares with your use now and your future plans.
- Size the battery for a purpose. We compare spare daytime solar with how much electricity you use after dark. If you want backup, we discuss which parts of the home matter and what extra equipment may be needed.
- Explain the plan. Your written proposal shows the proposed layout, production and bill estimates, and itemised cost. A site visit checks the details before the firm price.
What will your complete setup cost?
Starting fresh or adding a battery? Here is a rough guide.
approximately$13,000–$20,000installed
- Solar
- 6.6–8.8 kW
- Inverter
- 5–8 kW
- Battery
- 10–15 kWh
- A $150–$250 monthly bill could point towards 6.6–8.8 kW of solar, a 5–8 kW inverter and a 10–15 kWh battery: approximately $13,000–$20,000 installed.
- A $250–$400 monthly bill could point towards 10–13.2 kW of solar, an 8–10 kW inverter and a 15–20 kWh battery: approximately $18,000–$27,000 installed.
Battery size
approximately$11,000–$15,000
- 10 kWh: approximately $7,000–$11,000
- 15 kWh: approximately $11,000–$15,000
- 20 kWh: approximately $14,000–$19,000
These ranges include current eligible discounts and provide a starting point rather than a quote. With SEN’s free assessment, we’ll review your electricity use, existing equipment, roof, switchboard and future plans. You’ll receive a recommended setup and a personalised written quote for your home.
Who does the work
Your home. Our own team.
The SEN person who assesses your home also designs the system. Our in-house team installs it, with a local base in Tullamarine.
- Our own team. The people fitting your system work for SEN.
- Designed for your home. Your electricity use and existing solar equipment guide the design.
- Clear written pricing. Your quote lists the equipment and electrical work separately, so you can see what is included.
What happens after you book your free assessment?
Nothing is paid until you accept a written price.
- 1
A call about your place
Which way the roof faces, what shades it, and what you want solar to do about your bill.
- 2
Your proposal, in writing
After the call you receive a proposal for your home. It shows the proposed roof layout, estimated annual production, your bill before and after, and an itemised price.
- 3
A site visit, then a firm price
If you want to continue, we visit to check the roof, access, switchboard and meter. Anything the visit changes goes back to you in writing.
What’s in your proposal
Every component is named with its warranty. Installation and any switchboard or meter work are priced separately. The savings estimate uses your bills and shows its assumptions. Eligible rebates and certificates appear as separate reductions.
Questions to ask before choosing your setup
Can a battery be added to the solar I already have?
It depends on your existing system. The inverter is the unit that converts solar electricity into the type your home uses. Some systems can connect to a battery directly, while others need additional equipment or a different design.
The inverter brand and model give us a useful starting point. A site visit confirms the equipment and wiring in place.
What size battery do I need?
Start with how much spare solar is available to charge the battery and how much electricity you use after the panels stop producing. The appliances you want to run also matter.
Battery capacity is measured in kilowatt-hours, or kWh. Think of this as how much energy it can store. Power output is measured in kilowatts, or kW. This affects how many appliances it can run at once.
Does the equipment brand matter?
Yes, but the logo is only part of the decision. The panels, inverter and battery need to work together, suit your home and have clear warranty and support arrangements. We explain why each proposed component is included and name it in writing.
What support do I receive after installation?
SEN remains your first point of contact after installation. We’ll show you how to monitor the system, provide the equipment and warranty documents, and explain who to contact if something does not look right.
Let’s work out what suits your home.
The form asks for your property address. Your address tells us which electricity network serves your home and lets us view your roof using satellite imagery, so the assessment is specific to your home.
03 9935 6355Thanks, we have your enquiry. We will call for your free assessment, then send your proposal after the call.