Solar and battery questions, answered

We help Hills District homeowners work out whether solar, a battery or both makes sense for them, then arrange a free quote with our installation partner and go through it with you in plain English. Swancomm doesn't install anything. Our partner does the installation and contracts directly with you. See how it works.

Yes, it's free for you, whether or not you go ahead. When you go ahead, our installation partner pays Swancomm a referral fee.

Our installation partner, an independent business. They prepare your quote, sign the contract with you, install the system, lodge the rebate and connection paperwork and give you their workmanship warranty. The equipment warranties come from the manufacturers. We work with one installer only. If you'd like to compare, you're welcome to get other quotes yourself.

Under the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, an eligible home battery earns small-scale technology certificates (STCs). Their value comes off the installer's price at the point of sale, so there is no form to fill in and no waiting for a refund. The battery has to be on the approved product list and installed with solar (new or existing) by a Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) accredited installer. The number of certificates per kWh falls every January and July, so the discount gets smaller over time. See the full rebate details.

It depends on how much power your household uses and when. Many Hills District homes end up somewhere between 6.6 kW and 13 kW, but a big home with ducted air conditioning and a pool can justify more, and a smaller household less. We look at your power bills first, so you know what size makes sense before you get a quote.

A battery makes most sense when you use a lot of power in the evening and get only a few cents for the solar you send back to the grid. Instead of exporting your midday solar cheaply and buying power back at night at full price, you store it and use it yourself. The federal battery discount has also brought prices down. How quickly a battery pays for itself varies a lot from home to home, which is why we look at your bills before you decide.

Usually, yes. If your inverter is in good shape, an AC-coupled battery can sit alongside it. If your inverter is old or failing, replacing it with a hybrid inverter that runs both the panels and the battery is often better. We'll explain which approach your quote uses and why.

Only if the battery and inverter support backup power and it is wired for it. Many systems back up selected circuits, such as lights, fridges and internet, rather than the whole house. Some set-ups shut down in a blackout just like solar on its own does. If backup matters to you, tell us and we'll make sure your quote includes it.

Most solar or battery installations take a day. Larger systems, two-storey roofs or backup wiring can take a little longer. Before installation, the installer applies to your electricity network for approval to connect, and afterwards your meter may need to be reconfigured for solar.

In NSW, most rooftop solar on a house doesn't need development approval as long as it meets the state's exempt development standards. Heritage-listed homes and some heritage conservation areas can be different, so check with your council if that applies to you.

Panels still produce power on cloudy days, just less. Shade from trees or a neighbouring building matters more, because in a basic design shade on a few panels can reduce output from the whole string. Panel-level electronics, such as optimisers or microinverters, or a layout that keeps shaded panels separate, can help. We check your quote deals with shade properly.

Good quality panels usually come with a performance warranty of 25 years or more, and most last well beyond that. Inverters usually carry a 5 to 10 year warranty. Home batteries are usually warranted for around 10 years, often with a minimum capacity guaranteed at the end. Your quote should list the exact warranties, and we'll go through them with you.

Contact your installer first. Their workmanship warranty covers the installation, and the manufacturers' warranties cover the equipment. We're always happy to help you follow it up. If you can't resolve a problem with the installer, NSW Fair Trading can help.

A VPP links many home batteries so an energy company can draw on them briefly when the grid is under strain, usually in exchange for bill credits or payments. In NSW, a battery joining a VPP may also qualify for a one-off incentive under the state's Peak Demand Reduction Scheme, paid through the VPP provider. Joining is optional.

Your electricity retailer sets the feed-in tariff, and many now pay only a few cents per kWh. That's why using your own solar, by running appliances during the day or storing it in a battery, usually saves far more than exporting it.