Solar & battery, explained

Everything you need to know about solar & batteries.

How the systems actually work, how they're sized to your usage, what the leading brands do differently, what rebates apply in South Australia — and how a VPP can pay you back.

How it works

Four moving parts. One integrated system.

Solar generation
Panels convert daylight into DC electricity. An inverter converts it to AC to power your home, charge a battery or export to the grid.
Battery storage
Stores excess solar during the day so you can use your own energy at night — instead of buying it back from the grid at peak rates.
Smart control
Modern inverters (Sigenergy, GoodWe, Power Plus) decide moment-by-moment whether to self-consume, charge, discharge or export.
VPP participation
A Virtual Power Plant aggregates thousands of home batteries. You earn credits when your battery helps stabilise the grid.
Sizing

Sized around real usage — not a template package.

Use this as a rough starting point. Every recommendation we make is checked against your actual bills, roof orientation and future plans (EV, pool, heat pump).

Household typeTypical usageSuggested solarSuggested battery
Small household (2 people)10–15 kWh/day6.6 kW10 kWh
Average family18–25 kWh/day10 kW10–16 kWh
Large / all-electric home30–45 kWh/day13.2 kW16–24 kWh
Home + EV + pool45–65 kWh/day13.2+ kW20–30 kWh
Brands we install

Hardware we stand behind.

Premium hybrid + VPP-ready
Sigenergy

All-in-one SigenStor unit — inverter, battery, EV charger, gateway. Best-in-class monitoring and modular expansion.

Reliable value
GoodWe

Popular hybrid inverters with strong local support and a large installed base across Australia.

Australian designed
Power Plus Energy

LiFePO4 battery specialist — ideal for off-grid, hybrid and larger residential builds.

Panels
Jinko / Tier-1 panels

Long-warranty tier-1 panels sized to your roof and orientation.

Live Energy Market Demo

Visual of live Amber wholesale energy prices

These prices are accessible to households and businesses through Amber's VPP offering.

About this demo

This is an example of how live wholesale market data can support smarter battery and energy decisions. Amber gives customers access to live wholesale electricity prices instead of a fixed feed-in tariff, with battery automation through SmartShift.

VPP and automation benefits depend on retailer availability, battery compatibility, network approval and the final system configuration. Bond Energy Solutions can recommend suitable hardware and explain whether Amber-style wholesale optimisation is appropriate for your site.

Live data via BES automation
Rebates & incentives

What's actually available in SA right now.

We handle the rebate paperwork as part of every install. Figures are guides — we'll confirm exact eligibility for your address.

Federal STC rebate
Applies to eligible solar systems up to 100 kW — value depends on system size and location. Applied as a point-of-sale discount.
Federal battery rebate
New 2025 federal cheaper home batteries program — significant discount on eligible battery installs.
SA Home Battery Scheme / VPP
Ongoing VPP credits when your battery participates in grid support events.
Feed-in tariff
Credit for excess solar exported to the grid — rate varies by retailer.
FAQ

Questions we get every week.

SAA accredited · NETCC approved

Ready to see what solar & battery would look like on your home?

Our ~5 minute guided assessment collects the right info so we can design a system around your actual usage — no pushy sales calls.