Having a solar battery installed is an exciting step toward energy independence, but proper preparation ensures the installation goes smoothly and your system performs optimally from day one. This comprehensive guide walks you through everything you need to do before your installer arrives, what to expect during the installation, and important steps to complete afterwards.
Before Installation: Getting Ready
Preparation begins well before installation day. Taking care of these items in advance helps avoid delays and ensures your installer can work efficiently.
Verify Your Installer's Credentials
Before any work begins, confirm that your installer is properly accredited. In Australia, battery installations must be performed by electricians who hold Clean Energy Council (CEC) accreditation specifically for battery installation. Ask for their CEC accreditation number and verify it on the CEC website. Request proof of appropriate insurance coverage and check online reviews and references from previous customers. This step protects both your warranty and your safety.
Understand the Installation Plan
Your installer should have conducted a site assessment and provided a detailed installation plan. Before installation day, review the proposed battery location and understand why it was chosen. Confirm the cable routing from your solar system or switchboard to the battery location. Understand whether any modifications to your existing electrical setup are required and clarify whether backup power capability is included if desired.
Pro Tip
If anything in the installation plan is unclear, ask questions before installation day. It's much easier to address concerns in advance than to make changes mid-installation.
Prepare the Installation Area
Clear the area where your battery will be installed and along the routes where cables will run. Remove any stored items, garden equipment, or obstacles near the installation location. Ensure there is adequate working space for the installation team. If the battery will be installed in a garage, consider temporarily relocating vehicles. Trim any vegetation that might obstruct access or the installation location.
For indoor installations, you may need to move furniture or storage items. For outdoor installations, ensure the path from the street to the installation location is clear for the team to carry equipment.
Arrange for Power Outage
Most battery installations require your power to be switched off for several hours while electrical connections are made. Your installer will advise on the expected duration, but plan accordingly. Charge devices like phones and laptops in advance. Consider food that doesn't require cooking if the outage spans meal times. If you work from home, you may need alternative arrangements. Medical equipment users should discuss timing with their installer to minimise inconvenience.
Installation Day: What to Expect
Understanding the installation process helps you know what's normal and when to ask questions.
Typical Installation Timeline
Most residential battery installations take between 4 and 8 hours, depending on the complexity. A straightforward installation of a popular battery model with existing solar might take just 4 to 5 hours. More complex installations involving new inverters, backup power setup, or challenging cable runs can take a full day. The installers will give you a more accurate estimate based on your specific situation.
The Installation Process
While specific steps vary by product and situation, the general process typically includes safety isolation of your electrical system, mounting the battery unit on the wall or ground frame, running cables from your electrical system to the battery location, electrical connections at the battery, inverter if separate, and switchboard, configuration of the battery management system, safety testing and commissioning, and system walkthrough and handover.
Key Takeaway
Quality installation takes time. Don't pressure your installer to rush—proper testing and configuration are essential for safe operation and warranty validity.
Being Available
While you don't need to supervise the installation, being available is important. The installers may need access to different areas of your property, have questions about your preferences or existing systems, and need to show you the system once complete. Plan to be home during the installation, or arrange for another responsible adult to be present.
During Installation: Things to Watch For
While your installers are the experts, being an informed homeowner helps ensure quality work.
Quality Indicators
Professional installers demonstrate attention to detail. Cables should be neatly routed and secured, not loosely draped. The battery should be mounted level and securely with proper clearances. All electrical connections should be in appropriate enclosures. Work areas should be kept tidy during and after the installation.
Questions to Ask
Don't hesitate to ask questions during the installation. Understanding your system is important. Ask about any unexpected issues encountered during installation. Clarify why certain decisions were made, especially if they differ from the original plan. Understand what the various indicator lights mean and ask about any limitations or special considerations for your specific installation.
After Installation: Getting Started
Once installation is complete, several important steps ensure you get the most from your new battery system.
System Walkthrough
Your installer should provide a comprehensive walkthrough of your new system. This should cover how to interpret the battery's display or indicator lights, how to access and use the monitoring app, basic operating modes and how to change them, what constitutes normal operation versus something requiring attention, how to safely isolate the system if needed, and who to contact for different types of issues.
Take notes during this walkthrough and don't be afraid to ask for clarification. It's much easier to understand your system with the installer present than to figure it out later from manuals.
Documentation
Ensure you receive and safely store all relevant documentation. This includes the installation certificate or compliance documentation, product warranty documentation and registration details, your installer's contact information and warranty claim process, user manuals for all installed equipment, and any rebate-related paperwork if applicable.
Important
Many manufacturers require warranty registration within a specific timeframe, often 30 to 60 days of installation. Complete this promptly to ensure your warranty is valid.
Connect to Monitoring
Set up your battery's monitoring app as soon as possible. This typically involves downloading the manufacturer's app from your app store, creating an account and linking it to your battery, connecting the battery to your home Wi-Fi network, and verifying that data is being received correctly. Monitoring your battery's performance from day one helps you establish what's normal for your system and quickly identify any issues that arise.
Notify Relevant Parties
After installation, you may need to notify several parties. Inform your electricity retailer about your new battery, especially if you're joining a VPP program or changing tariffs. Notify your home insurance provider and update your coverage if necessary. If you received a rebate, ensure all required post-installation documentation is submitted.
The First Few Weeks
The initial period after installation is important for understanding your system and identifying any issues.
Monitor Performance
Check your monitoring app regularly during the first few weeks. Observe how the battery charges and discharges throughout the day. Note whether it's behaving as expected based on your solar generation and usage patterns. Watch for any error messages or unexpected behaviour and verify that the system is achieving the expected savings.
Fine-Tune Settings
Your initial settings may need adjustment once you see real-world performance. If your battery isn't fully charging, check whether settings are limiting charge rates. If it's depleting too quickly, you may need to adjust reserve levels. Ensure time-of-use settings align with your actual tariff periods.
Address Any Issues Promptly
If you notice any problems during the initial period, contact your installer promptly. Minor issues are usually easier to resolve when addressed quickly. Your installer can often diagnose problems remotely through monitoring data. Early issues may indicate installation problems covered under workmanship warranty.
With proper preparation and attention to the installation process, your new solar battery should provide years of reliable service and energy savings. Take the time to understand your system and you'll be well-positioned to maximise its benefits.