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Solar panels convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity, which a solar inverter transforms into alternating current (AC) electricity for household use. This powers appliances like fridges and dishwashers, reducing reliance on the grid. Excess solar energy is either exported to the electricity grid, earning feed-in tariff payments, or used to charge a solar battery. A smart meter tracks solar generation, consumption, and exports, providing data for billing.

If you have any questions about how a solar system could help you reduce your energy costs, request a call with one of our energy specialists.

The amount that you can save from installing a solar system varies based on factors such as: the size of the system; your location; the aspect of your roof and the amount of shade it receives; your household’s energy consumption; and the quality of products installed. 

Smart Energy’s experts can give you specific guidance based on your household and your specific energy needs. You can rest assured that Smart Energy will work with you to design a tailored and high-quality solution that will maximise your savings and ensure that solar is a valuable long-term investment for you.

The cost of a solar system depends on the system size, panel quality, and installation complexity. A low-quality system that provides minimum warranty protection and little to no aftercare or customer support will cost less than a custom-designed solution that uses high-quality panels and offers extended warranties and ongoing proactive customer care. A low cost system may be less efficient and incur ongoing maintenance costs, whereas a high-cost system may deliver more efficient performance, longevity and a higher return on investment.

At Smart Energy, we only utilise the highest quality products and offer comprehensive warranties and superior aftercare. A Smart Energy expert can give you advice on system costs and payback periods based on your unique circumstances.

Yes. Homeowners can benefit from all government rebates for which they are eligible. Smart Energy will pass on any federal government solar rebates as well as any state government solar rebates for which you are eligible. As an accredited supplier, Smart Energy is uniquely positioned to handle the rebate process for you, ensuring you reduce your upfront costs and maximise your savings. 

Speak with one of our experts to get an understanding of the federal and state government solar rebates available to you.

A feed-in tariff is a credit you receive from your energy retailer for exporting excess solar energy to the grid. Rates vary by provider and location.

While feed-in tariffs have decreased over the years, solar is still a great investment. The biggest benefit now comes from using the energy your system generates rather than exporting it. By consuming more of your own solar power—especially during the day—you avoid paying ever-increasing electricity rates. Adding a battery can further increase your savings by storing excess energy for use at night.

A grid connected solar system will not continue to work during a blackout, unless it has a battery back-up system with blackout protection. Solar systems are designed to shut down during a blackout so that electricity doesn’t continue to flow back into the grid. This automatic shutdown is a required safety feature.

A battery with blackout protection can provide power to critical appliances when there are problems with the electricity grid. Speak to a Smart Energy expert if you have questions about how a battery can support your specific energy needs during a blackout.

Solar panels perform best when they are in full sunlight. However, high quality panels can still generate electricity in indirect sunlight or when the weather is cloudy, although their output may be reduced. In order to get maximum efficiency from your panels, it’s important to invest in high quality products. Smart Energy only installs the highest of quality solar panels to ensure our customers get maximum benefit from their system.

A Smart Energy expert can give you advice based on your home’s specific location and the aspect and shading on your roof. Simply request a call and a member of our team will be in touch to discuss your specific circumstances.

Solar panels alone can provide significant savings for households, especially those that use a lot of energy during the day. Batteries however are beneficial when a household’s energy use is high in the evenings when electricity rates are at their highest. Whether you are generating more energy during the day than you are using, is also a consideration. A battery may not be of benefit if you have limited excess energy to store.

If you have solar panels and are questioning whether a battery would increase your savings, our energy experts can analyse your bill and give you advice as to whether a battery is a suitable investment.

Once a year if there are trees nearby. Otherwise, every three years should be fine. We recommend contacting a local handyman to clean them.

In most cases you should not need to turn your solar system off during a storm. Solar panels are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, including heavy rain and strong winds. However, if extreme weather like a cyclone or flood is forecast, it is recommended that you shut down your system, following the shutdown procedure for your specific system.

If you suspect damage to your system or if any part of your system has been inundated by rain or flood water, be sure to arrange for an accredited installer to assist you. 

If you have any concerns relating to your system after a storm, contact Smart Energy on 1300 133 055 or at support@smartenergy.co

Installing solar and a battery is one of the most powerful ways to take control of your energy, slash your bills, and protect yourself from rising electricity costs. With solar panels, you generate free energy from the sun during the day, reducing your reliance on the grid. Adding a battery takes it to the next level—storing excess solar power so you can use it at night or during peak times when electricity is most expensive.

But the benefits don’t stop there. A solar and battery system sets you up for the future, making it easier to transition to an electric vehicle and power it with your own free energy instead of expensive petrol. It also opens the door to home energy management systems that help you optimise when and how you use power, supercharging your savings. Beyond just cutting costs, you’re also gaining true energy independence—less affected by power price hikes, grid outages, or extreme weather—while significantly reducing your carbon footprint.

Whether you’re looking to future-proof your home, increase its value, or enjoy the freedom of producing and using your own clean energy, solar and batteries are an investment that pays off in more ways than one. Smart Energy can help you design the perfect setup to maximise your savings and take full advantage of this exciting shift towards smarter, cleaner energy.

Solar energy powers your home during the day, with excess energy exported to the grid. Shortfalls, typically in the morning, evening, or during cloudy weather, are covered by importing grid electricity. A solar battery system helps reduce costs by storing excess energy for use during peak times when electricity rates are higher. Once the battery is full, any additional solar power is exported. If a backup system is installed, the battery can power essential circuits during grid outages until service is restored.

Yes. Homeowners can benefit from both federal and state government battery rebates to which they are eligible. As an accredited supplier, Smart Energy is uniquely positioned to handle the rebate process for you, ensuring you reduce your upfront costs and maximise your savings.

Speak with one of our experts to get an understanding of the federal government and state government battery rebates available to you.

The duration a 10 kWh battery lasts depends on how much power your household or connected devices consume. For lower energy usage, such as powering a fridge, some lights, and electronics, it can last around 5–10 hours. For moderate use, including lights, a fridge, and occasional air conditioning, it might last 2–3 hours. 

If you’re running high-energy appliances like air conditioning or a pool pump, the battery may last only 1–2 hours. 

Keep in mind that most batteries aren't designed to discharge fully, and efficiency losses during charging and discharging can slightly reduce the total available power. Actual durations will vary based on your energy consumption patterns.

Yes. Some Back-Up systems are automatic, and some aren’t. The back-up is designed to switch your battery as a source of power during power outages. Back-up systems typically support only essential circuits due to compliance regulations.

Batteries are maintenance-free - the internet connection allows the system software to receive regular updates.

Yes. Having your battery connected helps us explain to you remotely how your system is working and recommend the best usage scenarios for you to get the most out of your system!

Your battery must be connected to Wi-Fi to maintain its full warranty, receive firmware updates, and allow remote monitoring. If disconnected for more than 60 days, the warranty may be reduced or voided. A connected battery also enables performance tracking, energy optimization, and faster troubleshooting.

A solar inverter is a crucial part of any solar power system. It converts the direct current (DC) electricity generated by your solar panels into alternating current (AC), which your home appliances use. Without an inverter, your solar system wouldn’t be able to power your home. Modern inverters also monitor system performance and can provide data on your energy production.

Inverters are maintenance-free - the internet connection allows the system software to receive regular updates. It is important that your battery is connected to allow the system to update regularly.

Your inverter may get hot due to high ambient temperatures or high power output. Sungrow inverters use their metal casing as a heat sink, which can make the surface hot to the touch—sometimes exceeding 60°C. This is normal and does not pose a fire hazard, but avoid touching the inverter during operation.

A humming noise is also normal, as internal fans activate to prevent overheating. If the noise seems unusually loud, you can measure it using a noise level app. If it exceeds normal levels, send a noise report and a short video to support@smartenergy.co or call us at 1300 133 055 for further assessment.

Hot water heat pumps work by taking heat from the surrounding air as opposed to generating their own heat. They are significantly more energy efficient than traditional gas or electric water heaters.

A hot water heat pump can reduce your water heating electricity needs by up to 75%. When you combine a hot water heat pump with a solar system, you can set the heat pump to heat water during the middle of the day when your solar system is generating electricity. In this situation, you’re effectively able to heat your water for free.

Yes. Homeowners can benefit from government rebates when they install certain energy efficient hot water systems. Rebates vary depending on location. As an accredited supplier, Smart Energy is uniquely positioned to handle the rebate process for you, ensuring you reduce your upfront costs and maximise your savings. 

Speak with one of our experts to get an understanding of the hot water heat pump rebates available to you.

Owning an electric vehicle (EV) can save you money in several ways. The cost of charging an EV is significantly lower than refuelling a petrol or diesel car, especially if you charge at home using off-peak electricity rates. On average, EV owners in Australia pay much less per kilometre compared to those driving petrol cars.

If you have solar panels, the savings are even greater. Charging your EV with solar energy is virtually free, as the electricity you generate costs much less than buying power from the grid. If you’re not able to charge your car at home in the middle of the day, a battery system will enable you to charge your electric vehicle at night using stored energy generated from your solar during the day. Electrifying your home and combining an EV with a solar and battery system can dramatically reduce your fuel costs and protect you from rising energy prices. Speak with a Smart Energy expert for advice based on your specific energy and electric vehicle needs.

Yes! If you have solar panels and a home battery, you can charge your EV using solar energy during the day and stored energy from your battery at night. This helps you maximise your solar investment, reduce electricity bills, and lower your carbon footprint. Many smart EV chargers can be programmed to prioritise solar energy, ensuring you get the most value from your home energy system.

Whether you already have a solar and battery system and want to add an electric vehicle charger, or if you’re just exploring the shift from petrol to electric vehicles and want advice on electric vehicle chargers, a Smart Energy expert can guide you.

A Smart Meter is a digital device that tracks your energy consumption in real time and sends this data directly to your energy provider.  Installed inside the meter box, Smart Meters have a digital display instead of the traditional spinning dial

Unlike traditional meters, Smart Meters don’t require manual readings. They enable more accurate billing, eliminating the need for consumption estimates.

With a Smart Meter, you can easily track how much electricity you're using and when, helping you spot ways to save on your energy bills. It can also help you take advantage of things like cheaper electricity rates at certain times of day or using solar power to reduce costs. Additionally, Smart Meters help make energy use more efficient by supporting programs like Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), which combine energy from homes and businesses to manage and share power more effectively.

Yes. Smart Meters measure both the energy you consume and the energy you export to the grid. A Smart Meter is required for your energy retailer to calculate your electricity charges and your feed-in-tarrifs. 

If you currently have an analog meter and want to install solar panels, your electricity retailer will need to upgrade your meter. Smart Energy’s Customer Care team can support you through the process of upgrading to a Smart Meter.

Smart Meters are installed by your energy retailer (AGL, Origin, Energy Australia, etc.).

If you don’t have a Smart Meter and are installing solar through Smart Energy, we will help you with the process of installing a Smart Meter by preparing the paperwork and submitting it to your retailer on your behalf.

Your retailer will then arrange the installation, which typically takes 2-4 weeks.

It’s important that your solar system is not switched on before the Smart Meter has been installed.

If you have any questions, our Customer Care team is available to help you. Contact us on 1300 133 055 or at support@smartenergy.co

If you already have a Smart Meter, we will still need to contact your energy retailer and submit a meter application request to ensure that the meter is configured to read solar energy.

Smart Energy can support you through this process. Contact us on 1300 133 055 or at support@smartenergy.co if you have any questions.

A connection application is required to gain approval from the energy distributor before installing a solar or battery system at a property.

The energy distributor (not the retailer) manages the electricity network in the area. They must approve any new solar or battery system connection to ensure the network can support it.

Smart Energy will submit this application on your behalf and approval is required before we can complete the installation. 

This application is required even if you have an existing Smart Meter.

A Virtual Power Plant (VPP) is a network of distributed energy resources like solar panels, batteries, and other smart devices, managed together to act as a single power plant. Consider it like a community of homes, where each home with solar panels and batteries contributes excess energy. The VPP collects this energy from different homes, and distributes it where and when it is needed. When the ‘community’ has no need for more energy, the VPP shares the collected energy with the grid to keep things running smoothly. By working together, homes can make sure their energy is used wisely, saving money and supporting a cleaner, more reliable energy system.

Joining a VPP can significantly enhance the value of your solar panels and battery storage by optimising their use. Instead of just storing energy for your own use, your battery can be used to supply power to the grid during peak demand times, earning you credits or payments. This means you can get paid for excess energy, maximising your savings while contributing to a greener energy system.

Yes, you will still have control over your battery when you join a VPP. While the VPP provider may remotely manage when your battery discharges to the grid, you can generally adjust the settings, including when your battery stores energy or powers your home. This allows you to maintain some flexibility, while also benefiting from the additional savings and rewards offered by participating in the VPP.

By participating in a Virtual Power Plant (VPP), you can receive various incentives, including payments or credits for the energy your system exports to the grid. These incentives may vary based on the VPP provider, your location, and the amount of energy your solar system and battery contribute to the grid. Some VPPs also offer discounted energy rates, access to special plans, or even bonus rewards for regular participation, helping you maximise your overall savings.

While joining a VPP offers many benefits, there are some potential downsides to consider. For example, your battery may be remotely discharged at times when you need it for your own use, which could limit your energy independence. Additionally, there may be terms and conditions that require you to be part of the VPP for a certain period or provide limited control over your system during peak demand times. It's essential to carefully review the VPP contract and assess how the program fits with your energy needs before committing.

Preferably, yes. But if you can’t be home, please ensure the meter box and the installation area are accessible so our installers can move in and out freely.

You must leave your Wi-Fi network and password on your meter box so our technicians can connect the system once it’s installed. You can also leave your phone number in case they need to reach you.

They usually arrive between 8 AM and 2 PM. If you’d like a more specific estimated time of arrival, call us the day before your installation, and we’ll let you know.

Yes, but only for a short time. If everything goes smoothly, it should take about 15 minutes at the end of the installation to test the system. In some cases, where electrical circuits are more complex, the power may be off for a longer period.