This was posted 3 months 11 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.

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[NSW, SA, QLD] 30kWh VoltX Neovolt Battery & 5kW Inverter $5920 Installed (Metro Areas) @ VoltX

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[NSW, SA, QLD] 30kWh VoltX Neovolt Battery & 5kW Inverter $5920 Installed (Metro Areas) @ VoltX
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31mop on 15/07/2025 - 13:57 voltxenergy.com.au (4437 clicks)
Last edited 01/08/2025 - 10:34 by 2 other users

At the risk of being flamed, I'm trying to work out if I should go ahead with this deal or not.

I am aware of VoltX products and they seem reasonable quality. I can't really find too much bad about them online.

The price seems incredibly cheap (which makes me a little nervous). I spoke to a consultant (overseas call centre) and they discounted it on the spot a further $500 without asking so $5420 after all the rebates.

Anyone else had any experience with these guys before I pull the pin?

I already have a decent solar system and I export 30kw a day roughly, and this comes with an inverter which they (I assume) divert my solar into these batteries.

Too good to be true?

Electrical & Electronics Solar Battery Solar Inverter Solar Rebate

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Comments

        • bejahi on 16/07/2025 - 08:07
          +3

          So "a little bit more" is 100% more.

          Gotcha!

          • 2Fast2Fuhrious on 16/07/2025 - 09:48
            +3

            @bejahi: Can literally get 2 of these systems… I don't understand the obsessions at the moment with overpaying for a supposed better quality battery system when you can just replace it for half the cost. Why opt for a 10 year pay back period when you can get a 5 year pay back and in 5 years time batteries will likely be even cheaper and better quality anyhow…

  • Opaquer on 15/07/2025 - 15:05

    So I'm still very new to how it all works - is the 5kw inverter for the battery specifically, or will it replace my solar inverter? Does it mean that they'll leave my current solar inverter on the wall but the max input/output rate of this battery is 5kw?

    • 31mop on 15/07/2025 - 15:10
      +2

      Yeah 5kw inverter dedicated to the battery for input/output (is my understanding)

      • Opaquer on 15/07/2025 - 15:10

        Awesome, just wanted to make sure! Thanks for the clarification!

    • laser on 15/07/2025 - 15:17
      +1

      Inverter is for the battery, your current inverter stays. This is for the inverter included in the deal, Neovolt also make a hybrid inverter which can re[;ace your solar inverter, but not in this deal/

      • Opaquer on 15/07/2025 - 15:20
        +1

        Honestly I think 5kw is probably a good inverter size for this battery. The only thing we have that uses that much is our air con (I think it's a 7/8kw split system) and our hot water system, but we have that on a timer to turn on during the day. That makes a single battery/inverter very tempting indeed! Thanks for that info, time to think about some numbers!

        • laser on 15/07/2025 - 16:30
          +1

          You can get an additional 5KW inverter at extra cost, not worth it unless you have big loads like ducted

          • freeb1e4me on 15/07/2025 - 20:24
            +1

            @laser: And also EV charging: Single phase 7kw, three phase 21kw

  • laser on 15/07/2025 - 15:19
    +5

    I have installed this battery in two of my properties so far in Sydney, have been running fine since September. Now ordered this deal for third as its a really good price.

    • DannyBoy on 15/07/2025 - 18:23

      Curious did you upgrade the inverter size and what amount of panels did you go with ? I'm looking at 13kw panel amount and 10kw inverter

      • 2Fast2Fuhrious on 16/07/2025 - 09:44
        +1

        Also in the same boat, have 12kw of panels and looking at a 10kw inverter for battery. Wondering if 5kw is too small or if 7kw would be enough?

    • rooster on 16/07/2025 - 08:40

      Laser - this brand seems to have been recently released, do you have any research into life expectancy for this product - I read that lots of home batteries fail after 18 months…

      https://onestepoffthegrid.com.au/what-home-batteries-are-bes…

      If these batteries are the same as ALPHA ESS - these failed during testing due to overheating

      I am keen to follow your lead if I can find some evidence they have resolved the issues.

      • serpserpserp on 16/07/2025 - 10:35
        +1

        That article is from 2021. The research is on batteries from 2016-2019.

        Given how fast battery tech moves, I'd say this is obsolete research.

  • ireciel on 15/07/2025 - 15:26
    +1

    I am signed up for this deal here in SA. Install wont be till September they say. Only issue I can see is that their batteries dont stack onto each other with the exception of the inverter sitting ontop of one of the battery units. Each unit is 60cm wide and if you add a 30cm spacing in between plus approx 60cm clearance on each end you would need around 3.6m of wall space to install to comply with the various safety regulations around batteries not being installed near windows / doors and habitable rooms etc.

    • clartan2015 on 15/07/2025 - 15:29

      how much was the deposit if there's any? cheers

    • 31mop on 15/07/2025 - 15:37
      +1

      They told me on the phone that the batteries are stackable and 10% deposit

      • ireciel on 15/07/2025 - 15:52

        If they are stackable, great, however I am yet to see an actual photo of an installation job in Australia where the installer has stacked battery modules one on top of the other. Every photo I have seen has them side by side with a gap.

      • lgacb08 on 15/07/2025 - 17:48
        +1

        It's not stackable like the way sungrow or goodwe, more like parallel installation with 3 battery standing next to each other, with one got the ac inverter on top.

        • serpserpserp on 16/07/2025 - 10:39

          Could you not also fix to the wall vertically with appropriate spacing?

          • ireciel on 16/07/2025 - 14:51

            @serpserpserp: Each battery unit comes in at 90kg. Best to have them on the ground, but have seen an install on a portable house where the battery was mounted to the wall via brackets.

          • valour on 08/08/2025 - 00:36

            @serpserpserp: There are some photos of people who have done that on the neovolt page on Zuckerberg's social media site. The comments are that they are bringing some brackets in from China to do just this, but they haven't arrived yet. So some clever individuals found stuff at Bunnings.

      • muddrex on 16/07/2025 - 11:22
        +1

        I think when they say "stackable" they are not referring to physically how they are stacked….I believe it's more about the fact that you can "stack" more batteries to increase the capacity. i.e. you can simply add another 10kwh by "stacking" an extra battery.

    • Aerofoil on 15/07/2025 - 16:10

      When did you sign up with Voltx for an estimated September install?
      I'm going to assume they're being swamped with customers atm :O

      • ireciel on 15/07/2025 - 16:12

        Before the 30Kw deal launched I signed mid June for just a 10Kw system. If I stayed with that, installation would have been in late July. Upgraded to the 30Kw deal two weeks ago.

        • Aerofoil on 15/07/2025 - 16:17

          Interesting! I signed up for the 30kW deal mid June-ish, but haven't heard about an install date yet (also in SA). I'll have to check with them.

  • hydrox on 15/07/2025 - 15:32
    +1

    I just found out, they do not install/add to an existing battery system. Also only 250km around Brisbane for Qld.

  • keejoonc on 15/07/2025 - 15:32

    If my home has 6.6kw solar, is this overkill? Then again, smaller systems aren't cheaper.
    Solar FIT is a rip off and our power use is mainly in the evening as we both work during the day so thinking about batteries if ROI works out.

    • WhyAmICommenting on 15/07/2025 - 15:41

      Maybe but they are only charging about $1000 for the extra 2 batteries so you may as well get the three for rainy weeks etc

      • keejoonc on 15/07/2025 - 15:54
        +1

        We are currently on AGL's EV night saver plan and thinking based on our average electricity bill, it may take at least 5-6 year to breakeven.
        Our monthly bill can be anywhere between $120-$150 which includes supply charges and BS demand charges. Supply charge obviously won't go away even if I don't use grid power at all.

        • Lord Ra on 16/07/2025 - 00:09

          Omg, when I see DEMAND charges, I get soooooo triggered, such a rip off!
          Never had them until I had to switch to a digital meter.
          @$$H0les, the lot of them to charge me this.

      • eciuj on 15/07/2025 - 17:00

        Is your solar system over 5kw, and if so, have OVO said anything? I'm with OVO and like their free/cheap periods, but am looking to get solar and their 5kw max has me thinking I need to find a new provider.

      • thestig on 15/07/2025 - 17:31

        Can you fully charge a 30kwh battery in the 3 hours from flat? I have 3 phase but no solar if that makes any difference?

    • Captain Hindsight on 16/07/2025 - 06:40

      I’m wondering that too. Although smaller systems are cheaper, I’ve had quotes under$4k for 10kw.

  • MDSUXKS on 15/07/2025 - 15:33
    +2

    Mate go for it. The battery quality is good did a bit of reaserch previoulsy I havent installed mine here in WA yet becaus eof the WA state rebate joke I will get the info back from where I saved and post here. I havent used Voltex to quote so not sure what tehir installation standards. btw the WHolesale of those batteries are around 4.5k with inverter and 3.5k as addon so 11.5k. so 30kwh is 11.1k in rebates (30*.37) which mean that they make the money on the installation.

    • MDSUXKS on 16/07/2025 - 10:15
      +1

      here is a summary of what I reserach before: "Physical Setup: The system comes in two wall-mounted units – one for the battery (about 590 × 750 × 205 mm, 90 kg) and one for the inverter (about 590 × 405 × 205 mm, ~19 kg)11. Despite the substantial battery size, its high energy density means a lot of energy in a compact footprint2, suitable for garages or outside walls where space is limited. The inverter unit, being smaller, typically sits above or next to the battery unit. Both components are sealed and rugged (IP65), allowing outdoor installation if needed.
      Operating Conditions: The lithium-iron phosphate battery performs in a broad temperature range (-10 °C to 50 °C for discharge, 0–50 °C for charge)3, making it robust in both winter and summer conditions. The system is designed for ambient temperatures up to 60 °C for the inverter3 (with power derating beyond 45–50 °C as typical). It also tolerates high humidity (up to 95% non-condensing) and high altitude (up to 3000 m) without issues3. Maintenance is minimal – the unit has no fans or filters to service, and software updates/monitoring are done remotely22.
      How the Neovolt System Optimizes Home Energy
      The Neovolt’s built-in Energy Management System (EMS) intelligently controls energy flow in your home3. Here's what that means for everyday use:
      Solar Self-Consumption: During the day, your solar panels feed electricity to your home and charge the Neovolt battery. The EMS monitors real-time consumption and solar production with 10 W precision3. Any surplus solar energy that would otherwise go to the grid is stored in the battery for later use, ensuring minimal waste and lower electric bills.
      Time-of-Use Optimization: If your electricity plan has peak rates at certain times, the system can schedule charging and discharging to cut costs. It can even tap into PV production forecasting to plan battery use – for example, discharging more on a cloudy afternoon versus saving charge for a sunny day’s evening3.
      Backup Power (UPS Mode): If a blackout occurs, Neovolt switches to battery power in a fraction of a second1, keeping lights and appliances on without a noticeable interruption. Unlike some simpler batteries, it can keep recharging from solar panels during an outage1. This capability maximizes your off-grid endurance – as long as the sun shines, you have power.
      Smart Home Integration: The system supports connectivity via Wi-Fi, 4G cellular, Ethernet, or RS-485 for integration with monitoring portals and smart home systems3. You can track performance and control settings through a mobile app or web interface, gaining insights into your usage patterns. The Neovolt also supports advanced programs like Virtual Power Plant (VPP) participation and grid services (e.g. frequency response)3, potentially earning you credits by letting the utility use small slices of your battery when needed.
      Safety and Reliability Features
      Safety is a top priority in the Neovolt’s design, leveraging both the inherent stability of LFP battery chemistry and multiple layers of protection:
      Thermal Management: The battery has multiple temperature sensors and a refined passive cooling design3. This prevents overheating and ensures uniform temperature across cells, which is crucial for safety and longevity.
      Multi-Level Protection: There are three levels of battery protection in firmware and two in hardware3 (e.g., overcharge/over-discharge cutoffs, voltage/current limits, self-diagnosis routines) to prevent any unsafe conditions. These batteries are certified to stringent safety standards (IEC 62619 for battery, IEC 62109 for system safety)3.
      UPS-Quality Power: The inverter provides pure sine wave output with <3% total harmonic distortion3, and it has redundant backup power relays to isolate from the grid during outages3. This UPS-level design means it’s very unlikely for the system to fail when you need it; critical loads are well protected against power disturbances.
      Durability: The Neovolt system is built for a long service life – up to 8000 cycles on the battery means you could charge and discharge it every day for over 21 years (though warranty covers 10 years)21. Even after 10 years, the battery is guaranteed to still have at least 80% of its original capacity14. Such longevity is achieved with quality LFP cells and conservative operating parameters (95% DoD and controlled charging rates).
      Fail-Safe Design: In the rare event of a fault, the system will shut down safely to prevent any hazards. Its weatherproof enclosure (IP65) protects against dust, rain, and sun, ensuring reliable operation in various climates3. Additionally, noise-free operation means the Neovolt won’t add any disturbance – no hum or fan noise to worry about, contributing to home comfort.
      Benefits for Homeowners
      Installing a Neovolt 10 kWh battery system can have tangible benefits for a household:
      Energy Independence and Savings: By storing excess solar energy, you become less reliant on the grid. At night or during peak utility rate times, you draw from your battery instead of buying expensive electricity. Over time, this can significantly cut your energy bills. With round-trip efficiency over 90%, you lose very little of what you store2, making the most of your solar investment.
      Backup Power Peace of Mind: During blackouts, the Neovolt can keep essential devices powered (fridge, lights, internet, medical equipment, etc.). The switchover is so fast you likely won’t even reset your clocks1. For areas prone to storms or unreliable grids, this is a huge advantage – you maintain comfort and safety even when neighbors go dark.
      Maximum Solar Utilization: If your solar panels often produce more than you consume (common on sunny days), a battery ensures that energy isn’t sold back to the grid for pennies or wasted. Instead, you use 100% of your clean energy, effectively boosting your solar ROI. The Neovolt’s ability to handle oversized PV arrays (up to 2× inverter capacity) means you can install extra panels to increase generation without needing a bigger inverter3.
      Quiet, Low-Profile Addition: Unlike gas generators, a battery system provides backup power silently and with zero emissions on-site. The wall-mounted units take up little floor space, and the minimalist design won’t clash with home aesthetics. Many homeowners install them in garages, utility rooms, or outside walls – out of sight, out of mind (until you need it).
      Future-Ready Features: The Neovolt’s support for smart grid programs can potentially earn you rewards. For instance, some energy providers offer incentives if you join a virtual power plant program where your battery helps stabilize the grid. The Neovolt is equipped to do this (thanks to its EMS and communication features) when such programs are available3. Even if you don’t participate, those capabilities demonstrate that the system is quite advanced and “future-proof.” Software updates over time can further improve performance or add features, similar to how a smart appliance gets better with updates.
      Comparison with Other Home Battery Systems
      How does the Neovolt stack up against other popular home batteries on the market? Below is a quick comparison of Neovolt with two other well-known options – the Tesla Powerwall 2 and the Alpha ESS SMILE5 (another all-in-one system) – highlighting key differences and similarities:
      Feature Neovolt 10 kWh (Bytewatt VoltX) Tesla Powerwall 2 Alpha ESS SMILE5 (10 kWh)
      Battery Chemistry LiFePO₄ (Lithium Iron Phosphate)4 NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt)5 LiFePO₄ (Lithium Iron Phosphate)4
      Usable Capacity 9.6 kWh (95% of 10.1 kWh)14 ~13.5 kWh (100% usable)55 10 kWh (expandable 5–20 kWh modular)44
      Continuous Output 5 kW (single-phase)11 5 kW (AC-coupled)5 5 kW (single-phase inverter)44
      Peak/Surge Output 7.36 kW (for 3.6kW model) / 10 kW (5kW model)11 7 kW (10 sec)55 200% of nominal (up to ~10 kW)44
      Round-Trip Efficiency >90%24 ~90%55 ~96%44
      Inverter Integration Yes – built-in hybrid inverter for solar PV input11 Partial – AC battery (requires separate solar inverter)1 Yes – hybrid inverter included (Alpha SMILE5 system)11
      Scalability Up to 6 units in parallel (≈60 kWh, 30 kW)31 Up to 10 Powerwalls can link (≈135 kWh)1 Expandable battery modules (up to 20 kWh per inverter, or multiple inverter systems)44
      Warranty 5 yr product + 10 yr performance (≥80% capacity @10 yrs)14 10 yr (≥70% capacity @10 yrs)14 10 yr (≥70% capacity @10 yrs)4
      Approx. Cost (10 kWh) AUD 8k–10k (budget-friendly)14 AUD 12k–15k (premium segment)1 AUD 12k–15k (mid/high-end)4
      Key Takeaways: Neovolt’s big advantage is its affordability and all-in-one convenience. It delivers similar usable energy and power output as the Tesla Powerwall 2, but typically at 30–40% lower cost1. Unlike the Powerwall, the Neovolt can directly integrate with solar panels (built-in MPPT solar inputs), so homeowners without an existing solar inverter can use Neovolt as a one-stop solution1. Compared to another competitor, Alpha ESS, Neovolt is a fixed-size 10 kWh unit (Alpha offers modular expansion up to 20 kWh per unit)44. Alpha’s system boasts a slightly higher efficiency and a long track record in Australia, but Neovolt matches core features like backup functionality and extends an even better capacity retention promise (80% vs 70% at 10 years)4. In short, Neovolt provides a highly competitive blend of performance and value, making home batteries accessible to more consumers without compromising on the features that matter most."

      • chrisharry53 on 17/07/2025 - 16:35

        Thanks. I was wondering about batteries being charged by the solar panels during a blackout if the standard inverter is installed. I wasn’t sure if a hybrid inverter was required. Is your research based on either 5kw inverter model? BTW, I have 3 phase wiring and will pay the extra $700-800 to have each circuit wired up.

  • Donutpuss on 15/07/2025 - 15:42
    +1

    Is it a problem for the life of the battery if you never 100% fill it? 30kw is huge.

    • serpserpserp on 16/07/2025 - 10:43
      +1

      You will fill it in spring/summer time

  • chuneeperformance on 15/07/2025 - 16:01
    +1

    Single Phase
    No load balancing
    Limited Output
    VPP limitations
    useless for whole house backup
    Software limitations

    Worth this amount as its very basic for small house

    • wisc on 15/07/2025 - 16:20
      +4

      sounds interesting, can you provide more details for the rest of us plebs in regards to what we should be looking for?

    • sovereign01 on 15/07/2025 - 18:00
      +3

      None of these are really a deal breaker for most households, and pretty typical of most battery installs.

      Can you expand on the software limitations? Some quick googling suggests people are able to control these with home assistant etc

      • WhyAmICommenting on 15/07/2025 - 18:40

        Biggest limitation is there’s no export function in the app so you need to go with Amber basically if you want export. Globird is an option for VPP but it’s not 100% there yet.

    • od810 on 15/07/2025 - 23:58
      +3

      VPP is really overrated. I was with Origin VPP, and after i switched plan fro Origin VPP, i saved half of the bill. When i signed up for VPP, it was a good choice because i had my battery super cheap, and it did reduce my bill. But battery at this price, you don't care about whole house back up, if you really want whole house backup, fork out a bit more get a better inverter. Of course you have to pay more for whole house backup circuit but that's always the extra with battery setup.

      At this size, you probably ROI within 2-3 years depending on usage and electricity plan. This is really really cheap for battery that size. One thing i would change is the inverter, 10kw inverter would be a lot better.

    • Dogsrule on 16/07/2025 - 09:35

      No load balancing

      if by 'load balancing' you mean netting out imports on the phases the battery is not connected to, it absolutely does load balancing. The installer will connect this meter across all 3 phases which will make the battery aware of imports on the other phases so it can export to net out those imports.

  • Hipsi on 15/07/2025 - 16:31

    I only have 4.8kw of enphase at the moment but want to put another 6kw or so on the roof. Ideally I need a hybrid inverter. This Voltex deal would be ideal if it came with a hybrid

    • WhyAmICommenting on 15/07/2025 - 18:42

      It’s 2 or 3 hundred extra to swap to the hybrid. I have one and they installed an extra 9.6kW of panels to go with my existing 5kW (and Fronius)

      The 6ish KW panel option was only a tiny bit cheaper than 9.6

    • lgacb08 on 15/07/2025 - 19:03

      With enphase you can never go hybrid. Ac coupled is the only way due to inherent technology.

      • Hipsi on 16/07/2025 - 09:50

        I'm talking hybrid to run separate (new)panels. The enphase system will remain but will contribute along with the new hybrid system to charging the batteries

  • tc423 on 15/07/2025 - 16:31
    +3

    I have 13.2kw + 12kw inverter + 50 kWh battery booked early aug for just above $10k - NSW

    • softkun123 on 15/07/2025 - 16:58
      +1

      which installer ?

    • Jemz on 15/07/2025 - 16:59

      What brands?

      • tc423 on 15/07/2025 - 17:42

        deye

    • Daddy Chill on 16/07/2025 - 10:04

      Could you please send.me the details my parents are looking for it

    • jiancoek on 19/07/2025 - 17:28

      Would you PM some info please?

  • laser on 15/07/2025 - 16:36
    -6

    If you sign up on the website, you may never get a call back as there is heavy demand. DM me if you like to get the number you can call to book over the phone.

    • bargainperson on 15/07/2025 - 16:53
      +3

      The number is on the website, no need for DM lol

      • thestig on 15/07/2025 - 17:33
        +2

        They're lonely….

    • 31mop on 15/07/2025 - 18:25
      +3

      I messaged on fb messenger, called back within 15 minutes

  • StopSpending on 15/07/2025 - 16:53

    With a large double storey house, a ducted AC system that uses 7kwh and a couple other split systems to cool the upstairs, would this 30kw/5kwh be enough? We currently have a 6kwh fronuis solar and no more roof space for more panels.

    I'm ok to spend double this to get enough capacity to really get our electricity cost down and run the AC whenever I feel like it instead of thinking $2.10 per hour (in Perth)

  • tonyamazing on 15/07/2025 - 16:58
    +3

    1x Neovolt 10kWh Battery + 5kW 1 Phase 2 MPPT AC Coupled Inverter Combo @ $4,410
    2x Neovolt 10kWh Secondary Battery Lithium Battery for Extension @ $3,285

    Total $10,980. I wouldn't personally buy something like this from DickSmith / Kogan. That was just one of first search results.

    Edit: those were "member" prices. Non-member prices are $4,900 + $3,650 = $12,200

    Usable kWh (Clean Energy Council search for BW-BAT-10.1P) is 28.8kWh.

    Rebate is ~$372 per kWh = $10,713.60.

    So they're charging $5-6K for installation, materials, and admin fees.

    It's worth looking for a local installer who is willing to work with whatever hardware, but they're hard to find. Especially right now with the market going crazy.

    I've had quotes for $2,400 and $3,500. Both ex GST, and labour only. Parts, materials, and government fees all extra.

    The guy I eventually found is charging $90 + GST by the hour and expects 1 or 2 days of work. My project involves replacing existing inverter with a hybrid, setting up a backup circuit, moving my network rack, and other electrical work.

    Since he's charging by the hour, I'm going to do as much as I can to help out.

  • raj uk on 15/07/2025 - 18:05

    Three batteries seem cheap. For my circumstance and I have a 6.3kwh solar system with no room to expand. I export around 4kw solar per day, so 3 batteries would be overkill as I would never fill all of them on a given day unless I am away from home for an extended period of time. One battery could be an option though

    • h4lcyon on 15/07/2025 - 20:29
      +3

      Maybe you could also charge them with cheap grid energy depending on your plan, e.g. plans that offer cheap electricity during the middle of the day?

      • od810 on 16/07/2025 - 00:03

        This, many offers free charging between 11-2pm or very cheap rate at night. My overnight rate (12-6) is 8c and free between 11-2

        • raj uk on 16/07/2025 - 06:53

          Hi, may I ask who you use ? I would need to do the maths to see how long it would take to recoup the extra 2 battery cost using the methods above (unless someone has a quick calculation to hand)

          • od810 on 16/07/2025 - 15:54

            @raj uk: I'm using OVO EV Plan. If you have large enough battery, you should only need to charge your battery during free hours & offpeak i.e. 12-6am in my case.

          • od810 on 16/07/2025 - 18:35

            @raj uk: Depending on how many KWH your household use. if you can live with 1 cycle per day i.e. charging between 11-2 utilising the free charging period, then you will only pay supply charge ~30-~40/month.

            • raj uk on 17/07/2025 - 08:31

              @od810: Thanks @od810

              I use around 30-40kwh per day.

              In essence, even if solar was not giving any power during the day and I was on your plan, in the 3 free hour window, I can top up the batteries with 3*5kwh of power (15kwh). This would supply around 40% of my daily requirements. Solar generation would be of top of this.

              There is also Amber electric to consider.

              Hopefully I have the maths and logic above correct.

              • od810 on 17/07/2025 - 14:20
                +1

                @raj uk: That is correct. I am not sure if you are on time of use tariff or single tariff. For battery users, it is highly recommended to use Time of Use tariff. I am using about 30-40kwh a day during winter too. So i charge my battery to full between 11-2 and discharge from 3pm (peak hour, the rate is really high), the battery depletes at around 8-9 pm, then i get charge shoulder rate 28c/kwh till midnight, where we pay 8c/kwh. Then i charge battery up to 70% from 4-6am so i can use in the morning till 11am.

                My battery usable capacity is around 8.5kwh, if you have a larger battery, you effectively can cover all the expensive hours except for the free and the 8c/kwh period.

                My usage is a bit skewed as well, because during the free period, i essentially run all the AC in the house for 3 hours to warm it up so that i reduce the heating usage during peak hours, i generally don't have to turn on heating untill 6-7pm and my house insulation is terrible, if you have good insulation it will help even more.

                Another note, if you can get them to upgrade the inverter to 10kw inverter, you can fully charge your battery during the free period and it can help you not drawing from grid when your home usage exceed 5kw

                Hope this help your decision

                • rush123 on 14/08/2025 - 20:47

                  @od810: Thanks @raj uk. I'm also considering the same setup. To be able to charge the battery during the between 11-2pm or 4to6am, Do I need to consider the battery with inbuilt inverter? What if the battery I choose doesn't have an inverter but my solar system (10KW) has 10KW inverter. I'm really new to this whole solar and battery package and trying to understand the different components involved.

  • Brick50 on 15/07/2025 - 18:20
    +1

    I'm in Vic so probably not that relevant but it would be good to get a bit of a list going of different battery sizes and approx install costs, so we can calculate ROI of different sized batteries

  • freeb1e4me on 15/07/2025 - 18:44

    Questions:

    1. Is this a single 30kw batt? Or are they stacking 3 x 10kw batts on top of each other?

    2. Can you still charge your ev using a 7kw ev charger if the batt has only 5kw inverter? I’m guessing it can only charge at a lower rate at less than 5kw if you take into account other house hold appliance being on

    3. What’s standard installation? And how much for backup protection?

    • Millikano on 15/07/2025 - 19:56
      +3

      1) inverter plus multiple packs
      2) the inverter can supply up to 20ish amps constantly, and at 7kW charging, you’re using about 32amps. The inverter/battery would supply part of the load, and the grid would supply whatever else you’re using.
      3) usually distance from the switchboard, so say within 5-10 metres. Need clearance around windows and doors to meet AU regulations.

      Other considerations:
      - this is single phase power. Depending on how your house is wired up from the pole, you might have three phase power. If you do, that’s better, but this wouldn’t be the best system for you.
      - sometimes, only some circuits will be set up with the battery supply (not the whole house). You’ll get better value charging your EV during solar PV hours, than charging with the battery.

      Worth doing some research, as you only get the battery rebate once. It is of highest value in 2025/26, and the rebate reduces each year.

      • freeb1e4me on 15/07/2025 - 20:11

        1) inverter plus multiple packs

        Based on pictures the packs are stacked side by side and if there are gaps in between, which I think it has, this is going to be an ugly looking system.

        The inverter/battery would supply part of the load, and the grid would supply whatever else you’re using

        Not ideal for EV charging then

        3) usually distance from the switchboard, so say within 5-10 metres.

        Hopefully 10m as 5m is going to be an outside install. I would recommend installing these in the garage to avoid the hot Australian summers

        • Millikano on 15/07/2025 - 20:53

          I'm not quite sure if you're answering some of your own questions here, but you're mostly right.

          1) Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and some people like looking at stacked toast. The benefit there is less wall space (if that meets Australian regulations)

          2) Still useful if there's a blackout, but you'll be using the grid as well unless you reduce your charge rate from your EV charger to 4kW or less.

          3) LFP technology is the same as is used in the cars themselves, and is okay in the sun though operating temperatures are shown in the manual. Good idea to put a cover over them possibly. The challenge with garage installations is the depth impact- you might find it impedes getting in and out of the car if you have a normal or narrow garage.

          • 31mop on 15/07/2025 - 21:08
            +3

            @Millikano: Optional Extras & Site-Specific Costs
            Long Cable Run
            • If the battery is far from the switchboard: (more than 5m but less than 10m) - $150.

            (more than 10m but less than 25m) - price estimated during installation, and adjusted on the final bill.

            • Re-Wiring Charges/Additional Cabling more than 5 Meters may be added to the Quote during Installation and will be added on the Remaining Balance.

            ⚠️Note: The cost of a long cable run is doubled if blackout protection is included, as it requires additional cables to cover the circuits.

            Garage Installations
            Fire Alarm (Govt. Required): $350

            Bollards (each): $150

            Fireproof Board (non-brick/concrete wall): $400

            (1.2m × 2.44m × 7.5mm)

            Outdoor Installations
            Concrete Paver (base support): $80

            Fireproof Board (non-brick/concrete wall): $400

            Canopy (weather protection): $300

            Blackout Protection (Optional)
            Backup Power Supply: $600

            ⚠️Note: To enable battery charging from your solar panels during blackouts, a hybrid inverter upgrade (AU$300) and rewiring (estimated AU$1,000-$1,500) would be required.

            • 31mop on 15/07/2025 - 21:09
              +5

              @31mop: https://imgur.com/a/ar2w3lA

              They sent me this picture when I asked for it, and the above 'extras' were on the quote.

            • freeb1e4me on 15/07/2025 - 21:30

              @31mop: Hmmm… fire alarm? Isn’t that called a smoke detector? Might be a new regulation as no other installer has quoted me on that prior to new battery rebate scheme. Fireproof board also sounds like a new thing as well.

              And thanks for the picture

              • 31mop on 16/07/2025 - 15:42

                @freeb1e4me: He said not all installs needed all of these things, but if they were required, that was their charges.

          • freeb1e4me on 15/07/2025 - 21:19

            @Millikano:

            1) Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and some people like looking at stacked toast.

            Sure. However, I’m confident horizontal stacking with gaps would be mostly unfavourable

            3) LFP technology is the same as is used in the cars themselves, and is okay in the sun though operating temperatures are shown in the manual.

            Although it might be “okay”, for maximum battery longevity you definitely want to keep it away from the hot sun, especially if you want a return on your investment and then some

      • Dogsrule on 16/07/2025 - 11:25
        +1

        this is single phase power. Depending on how your house is wired up from the pole, you might have three phase power. If you do, that’s better, but this wouldn’t be the best system for you.

        Single phase batteries work perfectly on 3 phase supplies these days. The installer will connect this power meter across the 3 phases which makes the battery aware of imports on the 2 phases it isn't connected to. The battery will then export on its connected phase to net out the imports on the other 2 phases.

    • MDSUXKS on 16/07/2025 - 10:23
      1. 3 side by side not as modular and BYD ore like Tesla Powerwalls.
      2. Max output 5kw, also I would spend my home battery charging anottehr battery on wheels unless in an etreme condition.
      3. No idea what is stdinsta;llation I got quotes from 500 to up 1k for each backup protection.(WA)
      • freeb1e4me on 16/07/2025 - 10:42

        Thanks for the information.

        I’m going to pass on this deal as I can’t install this unit outside as I have a narrow side and installing this in the garage would be too ugly for me to see on a daily basis

        The consultant I spoke to is looking at another deal for a smaller system 10kwh batt + 5kw inverter $2888 that you can hang on the external wall

  • 1jwoz on 15/07/2025 - 18:55

    Good luck getting support after install

    • Stahh on 15/07/2025 - 23:32

      Look you might have a point but seriously its a huge saving and its a battery. Apart from catching on fire what support do you need?

      • freeb1e4me on 16/07/2025 - 17:05

        Batteries or inverter can fail

        Cabling can get loose

        Connections can rust and short circuit

  • Brick50 on 15/07/2025 - 18:57

    So how do people decide when to charge/discharge their battery? Also what is the best power plan?

    I assume maybe the Ovo EV plan? 8c kwh overnight, free 11am-2pm and 40c otherwise. Charge battery everyday between 11am-2pm, charge overnight to top it up (I already self consume most of my solar) and use it during the day?

    Me personally I have a single phase 63A mains, So using Home Asisstant or the batterys app I would like to charge the battery during my free 3 hour period. Basically it would need CT's so it would only charge the battery at whatever capacity is left before it exceeds the 63A grid maximum (this is when there is barely any solar out). Currently I have already been getting close to that 14?kw draw limit charging my EV at 7kw and running all my heaters for free

    TLDR: What algorithm/automations are there typically to dictate when to charge/discharge these batteries? (VoltX, AlphaESS etc.)

    • freeb1e4me on 15/07/2025 - 20:32

      It will depend on the size of your solar PV system as to how you use it

    • Dogsrule on 16/07/2025 - 11:41

      Here's how the charge/discharge scheduling works (copied from Whirlpool link, credit to user 'pedrov'):

      The app has 2 settings to control grid charging, and when discharging can happen.
      And you can set 2 different time windows for each.

      Coming from the OVO EV plan previously myself, this is what I would have set (as an idea).

      Enabled Grid Charging (enable it) >
      Charge Period 1 = 04:00 to 06:00
      Charge Period 2 = 11:00 to 13:00
      (you can also set a max % to stop charging in those time windows, default is 100%)

      These windows will charge at 5kW rate, so be aware if your grid fuze limit if you are doing other power intensive stuff at the same time, especially if you are single phase 63A grid feed.

      As for discharge controls….

      Battery Discharge times (enable it) >
      Discharge Period 1 = 06:00 to 11:00
      Discharge Period 2 = 14:00 to 00:00
      (you can also maintain the discharge cut off SOC% in here, default is 10%).

      Irrelevant of the time windows, excess solar tops up the battery (even if you are in a window that is disabled for charging/discharging). No setting to disable when it can charge from solar excess.

      https://whrl.pl/RgJ7IW

  • Binchicken22 on 15/07/2025 - 20:08

    I wonder if the 2.3 Billion $ worth of taxpayer subsidies for this latest home battery program is going to have any meaningful impact on peak electricity prices or if it's just going to be another hand out for the upper class 🤷‍♂️

    • furyou on 15/07/2025 - 22:15
      +1

      Of course.
      peak electricity prices will go up, due to lower usage.

      Remember Sydney water? There was a long drought, lots of water saving stuff,, and consumers reduced total usage a lot.
      So they raised prices to earn the same from the reduced use.

      • Binchicken22 on 15/07/2025 - 22:32
        +2

        Well yeah that's just it isn't it… Once enough people are taking bugger all kWh from the grid, they'll have to up the daily supply charge (the grid is still going to cost the same to maintain) to make up for the lack of usage and everyone will end up paying the same as they used to ( + investing 15k~ every 15 years in their own solar generation + storage system)… Unless people plan on going full bush style off grid with petrol generator back-up for when their own storage isn't enough.

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