Category: News & Reviews

As demand for solar energy rises among homeowners and businesses the inclusion of solar batteries for Penrith and the Blue Mountains regions specifically has begun to gain traction.

Nowadays home storage batteries offer invaluable energy storage, safeguarding homes against power interruptions often caused by Australia’s unpredictable weather, especially in the mountain regions. Fallen trees can cause issues with powerlines and for that reason, homeowners from Lithgow to Blackheath are going more and more for solar and a battery backup.

At E-Smart Solar we are seeing about 30% of customers opt for a solar and battery combo and often the battery of choice is a Tesla Powerwall. The installation of a Tesla Powerwall ensures an uninterrupted power supply, a valuable asset during neighbourhood outages, and it also looks great.
Curious about harnessing excess solar energy with a solar battery?

Wondering if your solar setup works during blackouts in Penrith and Emu Plans? Our expertise as one of the Blue Mountains’ seasoned solar installers has taught us the importance of reliable components for optimal system performance. That’s why we do not recommend cheap and nasty gear, but only manufacturers with a proven track record.

Partner with E-Smart Solar for a high-performing solar and battery system tailored to your needs. To aid your selection process, we’ve narrowed down the top solar batteries for Penrith or Blue Mountains property going forward into 2024.

Factors to consider when choosing solar batteries for Penrith and the Blue Mountains

1. Capacity (kWh)

Understanding a battery’s capacity, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), is crucial. The size of your home storage battery determines the available power during a blackout or at night. Choosing the right type and size of battery hinges on how you plan to utilise your system.

There are 2 factors to consider when it comes to this subject. The size of the battery is kWh, meaning how much power it can store the capacity of the battery to release this power, and by how many kW peak.

If you have a large solar system and aim to power most of your appliances during a blackout and if blackouts are not that frequent and relatively short in and around Emu Plains for example, a battery with high power output but medium capacity (below 10 kWh) will suffice. Alternatively, a high-capacity residential battery (above 15 kWh), but with low-power release capacity will run select appliances such as lights and heating for longer periods.

In regards to battery technology development and advancement, there is good news! Many battery brands such as BYD or Alpha ESS can now be stacked meaning you can add modules to the system. This capability for adjustment allows home batteries to gain future expansions in homes and businesses to meet bigger energy needs.

Overall when it comes to expansion one would want to do it not too long after the initial system was installed, as batteries do deteriorate over time and one would like to match battery modules of similar age and deterioration factors.

2. Lifespan and warranty

Solar batteries for Penrith and the Blue Mountains provide energy to your home, but their ability to hold a charge decreases over time. Although a battery might have a lifespan of 10 years, it may not retain its original capacity throughout this period. So year after year they will deteriorate a little, just like the battery in your phone. For this reason, we at E-Smart recommend going a little bit bigger with the initial home battery sizing, so that in future years everything works well.

Given the geography of the Blue Mountains with windy roads and sometimes difficult access for remote properties, having a sufficient power backup can be important, and even life-saving especially for water pumps during bushfire season.

A reliable solar battery typically comes with a warranty. This warranty ensures that the battery will function effectively for a certain number of cycles or years. Reputable manufacturers often guarantee a minimum capacity retention throughout the warranty period. For instance, Tesla’s Powerwall 2 offers a warranty ensuring 70% energy retention after 10 years from the installation date.

We are happy to discuss with you a range of batteries which vary in budget and sizing and explain your battery’s expected lifespan and necessary maintenance. Moreover, a well-designed system minimises the impact of external temperatures on the battery, prolonging its lifespan.

In selecting the best battery location in your home that’s where experience comes in. We have been installing solar and batteries, including off-grid since 2011. Some of our original residential installs in the Penrith area still produce renewable energy 20 years later.

While the Blue Mountains took a little longer to move into solar – when it comes to off-grid we installed sophisticated solar & battery off-grid systems in many regions and towns such as the Lower Mountains, the Megalong Valley, Blackheath and Mt Victoria.

3. Round-trip efficiency

Round-trip efficiency measures the energy that has been stored in your battery against the power available to use. These numbers will never be the same, because during the battery charging process, some energy might dissipate due to heat or inefficiencies.

For instance, if 2kWh of electricity is input into your battery, yielding 1.8kWh of usable energy, your solar battery has a 90% round-trip efficiency. It’s crucial to verify the round-trip efficiency of your selected battery to ensure its competitiveness in the market.

So how big of a solar system do I need?

Before we go into details as to the best batteries for the Penrith and Blue Mountains region here is some data to show you the available local kWh generation from various size solar systems. This will give you an idea as to the solar system size required, as long as you know the daily, monthly and annual electricity consumption for your home or business. You can get this information from your electricity bill.

Per Day

Per Month

Per Year

4. So how big of a battery do I need?

Let’s say your average daily electricity consumption is 28 kWh. Given that most of us will down the track own an Electric Vecicle we should allow another 10kWh plus as a future consumption. Therefore with a likely consumption of 40kWh on average per day and if you live in Lithgow a 10 kW solar system would be an appropriate size.

We also via checking your consumption data worked out that you use currently 10 kWh of electricity at night. In such a scenario the 13 kWh Tesla Powerwall 2 might be an excellent solution. Then when the EV arrives we could consider adding a 2nd Powerwall if you want to use the excess solar to power your vehicle.

Maximising your solar batteries for Penrith and the Blue Mountains 

Choosing solar system components tailored to your property’s unique requirements and performance objectives is important to maximising your investment. Finding the “best” solar battery varies based on your power consumption patterns, your financial expectations and your available budget.

To discover the right fit, undertaking proper research and consulting with a certified solar installer such as E-Smart is crucial. We can help identify the perfect battery for your setup, so please contact us for advice or a free quote. Our battery and solar-trained friendly staff can assist in your selection process.

Tesla Powerwall 2 – A solid performer

One of the best solar battery solutions is Tesla. Founded in 2003, Tesla stands as a global leader in pioneering renewable energy solutions. Beyond their renowned electric cars, Tesla introduced the Tesla Powerwall 1, in 2015, followed by the ever-popular Tesla Powerwall 2.

This premier solar battery is acclaimed for its reliability and robust performance year after year.

In 2024, there has also been the announcement of a new Tesla Powerwall 3. This unit will have an inbuilt inverter and battery combined, and given Elon Musk’s drive for technical excellence, I am sure upon its release further improvements will become known.

We have installed over 100 Tesla Powerwall 2s in the Blue Mountains and Penrith alone and many of our customers love the uninterrupted power supply, offering homeowners a dependable energy source.

The Tesla Powerwall 2 uses lithium-ion as the technology and stores surplus solar energy generated during the day, ready for use during nighttime or power interruptions. Pairing the Powerwall 2 with a solar PV system amplifies its efficiency. During daylight hours, it seamlessly recharges and if the sun’s irradiation light levels are low also discharges for use in the property.

In times of grid outages, the Powerwall seamlessly takes over, becoming your primary energy source. It sustains essential functions, keeping lights on, appliances operational, and devices charged without relying on generators, fuel, or noisy maintenance.

Combined with a decent-sized solar system, the Tesla Powerwall 2 can theoretically face a blackout of many days, because as long as you are not wasteful with the energy it will keep your home powered, while the neighbours wish they invested in solar batteries too.

With the Tesla App, overseeing your Tesla Powerwall’s performance becomes effortless. This mobile app offers real-time insights into your home’s energy production and consumption, empowering you with valuable data on energy usage.

Customise your settings within the app to align with your specific goals, whether it’s enhancing solar savings, achieving energy independence, or ensuring outage protection. Benefit from instant alerts and remote access, enabling control of your system from anywhere, anytime.

Tesla Australia has established a Certified Installer Network for Powerwall and Wall Connector installations and services, ensuring local support from trusted companies. As a Tesla Premium Certified Installer since 2018,          E-Smart Solar stands as one of the Blue Mountains reputable installers for Tesla Powerwall 2.

SolarEdge Batteries – In the top home battery choices

SolarEdge stands as a global leader in intelligent energy solutions, revolutionising solar power harvesting and management in photovoltaic (PV) systems since its inception in 2006.

The SolarEdge intelligent inverter solution redefined power generation, optimizing output while reducing the overall energy production costs for enhanced return on investment. In 2021, SolarEdge introduced its inaugural energy storage solution, the SolarEdge Home Battery.

This innovative battery empowers homeowners to store surplus solar energy, utilising it during peak demand periods or as a backup during power outages. Seamlessly designed to complement other SolarEdge components, it serves as the cornerstone in the SolarEdge Home – a comprehensive energy ecosystem tailored for residential properties.

The SolarEdge Home Battery perfectly complements SolarEdge inverters and solar panels, offering seamless integration whether it’s supporting an existing solar system or installing a new solar setup.

By harmonising with top-tier SolarEdge Inverters and Smart Panels, it consolidates your entire energy system into one cohesive energy-generating source.

SolarEdge offers an expansive cloud-based platform delivering comprehensive monitoring and intelligent energy management solutions. Homeowners, installers, and solar operators can remotely monitor system performance, keep track of energy production, and quickly resolve potential problems in real-time.

This platform includes smart energy management features, empowering users to regulate energy consumption, maximise self-consumption, and participate in demand response programs.

So if you go with SolarEdge you can get the panel, inverter, optimisers and battery all from 1 company, meaning if there is any issue, after-sales will be prompt and convenient.

BYD – Not just EVs

BYD, a renowned manufacturer of electric vehicles (EVs) and clean energy solutions since its establishment in 1995, has expanded globally and diversified its product line, to include home storage batteries.

Leveraging its expertise in energy storage, BYD offers solar battery-safe solutions tailored for residential, commercial, and industrial needs. These systems optimise energy usage, store surplus renewable energy, and allow for grid stability.

BYD’s array of battery storage solutions, suitable for diverse applications from suburban homes to extensive commercial sites, owes its versatility to the substantial scalability of its battery modules. With BYD, starting small and subsequently increasing storage capacity at any point during the battery’s lifespan is entirely feasible.

One of BYD’s residential battery solutions, the BYD Battery-Box HVS module, comprises 2 to 5 HVS battery modules connected in series, yielding a usable capacity ranging from 5.1 to 12.8 kWh.

Furthermore, the key feature is the ability to upscale – you can directly connect up to 3 identical Battery-Box Premium HVSs in parallel, enabling a maximum capacity of 38.4 kWh. This scalability enables the addition of HVS modules or parallel HVS stacks, offering flexibility even after initial battery installation.

BYD assures the quality and durability of its battery systems, evident in its extensive 10-year warranty, covering material defects and product workmanship for the BYD Battery Box.

For monitoring and management, BYD offers the user-friendly BYD Be Connect App. This application empowers BYD owners to effortlessly oversee system performance, track energy production, and swiftly tackle potential issues in real-time.

Additionally, in Australia, BYD maintains responsive customer support and service networks. Customers can rely on swift resolutions for any concerns during the warranty period, benefiting from localised service provided by Australian-based partners.

How to choose the best solar battery solutions 

Choosing solar system components tailored to your property’s unique requirements and performance objectives is important to maximising your investment. Finding the best solar battery solution varies based on your power consumption patterns, your financial expectations and your available budget.

To discover the right fit, undertaking proper research and consulting with a certified solar installer such as E-Smart is crucial. We can help identify the perfect battery for your setup, so please contact us for advice or a free quote. Our battery and solar-trained friendly staff can assist in your selection process.

Meet our dear customer, Fiona. Read her story of what her environmental reasons are for buying a high quality solar power system.

I’m Fiona, we’re in Katoomba in the Blue Mountains. John and I are both very keen and passionate birdwatchers, and we’re conservationists and I see alternative energy as a wider umbrella that we all fit together to contribute back to the planet.

I love nature. I want things to continue to be beautiful and I think we’re part of a bigger picture and we all need to contribute to that but we need to make this planet last longer and be as beautiful as it always has been.

We’ve been very happy to become more self-sustainable, environmental and I thought doing solar energy was our first step. It was very achievable and I do like that domestic way of making a contribution to the larger picture.

Solar energy is a big part and something we have really concentrated on. We really wanted to be early adopters on taking on the solar revolution so that we could personally make a contribution that we felt we could do and we’ve actually found it quite easy to do, not as intimidating or as difficult as you’d think. We’re now completely self-sufficient without electric power. I think we’ve paid about 18 cents in power since we went solar.

High efficiency solar system

I would recommend a high quality solar. I’ve always been very keen on buying good quality products and E-Smart Solar was able to provide that. I want things to last and don’t want things to go to the tip all the time, it’s a lot of waste. If you can buy good quality stuff in the beginning, make it go for a long time. It’s good to have a local company like E-Smart Solar that will come and give you back up if there are any problems, tweak things a little bit if they need to be and if you want to expand in the future, which we plan to do.

Help the environment today by going solar. Talk to us.

The potential cost-of-living savings is always a big factor when Aussies are deciding to purchase a solar system. E-Smart Solar customers recognise once their solar system is in place, their household can begin to drive down energy bills and even earn some income back from their system exporting energy via a feed-in-tariff (FIT). But this isn’t the only area in which the right solar system can deliver big savings in the long term.

There’s a big difference between a quality solar installer and the alternative, and this applies to solar products too. If you get a reputable solar installer to install well-made components with a long-term warranty, you’ll be set to reap the rewards for years to come. So let’s look now at how a long-term warranty on solar parts can save you money.

How Warranties Work

For anyone yet to be familiar with the warranties process in Australia a quick overview will help. It’s necessary to keep in mind some variables can exist here. For example, if a manufacturer has an office in Australia they’re responsible for their warranties, yet if not, it’ll be the importer who is responsible for them. But the following is an overview of the regulations and common approaches to warranties across the nation. 

1. Australian Consumer Warranties

As the ACCC details Australian Consumer Law (ACL) confirms goods sold in Australia must be of acceptable quality and fit for purpose. There can be certain exceptions to this. For instance, if someone clearly advertises and sells a used car for sale as ‘for parts only’, then it wouldn’t be reasonable for someone who has purchased it to complain the car wasn’t working properly. But there is no ‘opt-out’ clause for any business in following the ACL – it’s mandatory when operating in Australia. So unless the seller specifically makes a potential buyer aware parts are not of acceptable quality and fit for purpose, the buyer has a right to expect what they buy is in good working condition.

1. Installer Warranty

This warranty is commonly offered by an installer of a solar system. Although this does not directly cover the parts and operation of the solar system, it covers the workmanship. If it emerges that a mistake has occurred or a fault has arisen as a result of the installation and/or subsequent workmanship within the warranty period, then the installer will be on the hook to remedy it.

1. Manufacturer’s Warranty 

A manufacturer’s warranty is an important consideration when looking to save on costs over the years. This warranty is provided by a manufacturer to cover the parts (AKA panel product) and operation (AKA performance) of a solar system. A manufacturer that offers a long-term warranty sends a signal their products are made with quality parts, and they warrant their performance. Yes, a long-term warranty is by default a long time to make a promise, but given a manufacturer gets a competitive advantage over other businesses who will not warrant an extended period, it’s certainly right and fair to expect they’ll honour that promise.

Saving Time and Money

What can make a long-term manufacturing warranty so worthwhile from a savings perspective? It comes down to the two aforementioned promises that a manufacturer offers. They give an undertaking surrounding the parts and operation of their products.

The Parts

If at any time during the parts warranty its components fail due to a manufacturer’s defect, the customer will have a remedy available to them. While solar systems are unquestionably a great investment, it’s no secret the upfront cost of purchase and installation can require many Aussies households to save up for a time. A long-term warranty can help ensure a household won’t be left having to fork out another chunk of cash to get new solar products. This is unfortunately something many Aussies have had to do when they’ve purchased solar products from providers who maximise affordability at the expense of quality. Ultimately these Aussies have had to eventually pay for repair or replacement – and financially this can be a very painful lesson to learn. 

It’s necessary to note the inverter is of course a part of the solar system but is usually treated differently for warranty purposes. We discuss the particulars regarding inverter warranty timelines in the conclusion below. 

The Operations

An inferior system might work on day 1, but over time its performance can decline. This means it won’t generate as much electricity as it once did – certainly not as much as a reputable system would – and may stop working altogether! This is really unfortunate, but in absence of a performance warranty, the solar system owner has little option but to put up with the performance decline, or opt for the previously mentioned avenues of costly repairs or replacement of the whole system. Where it concerns the operation of a system with highly respected solar products, a long-term warranty on the components will ensure the system’s operation will continue effectively* during this period.

*Subject to the specific terms of the warranty.

No Daily Dramas

Obtaining a warranty from a reputable manufacturer also offers peace of mind as you go about your daily life. This is because you can usually have a far greater certainty that a trusted business will still be trading in many years’ time as opposed to one that seems to offer a ‘great’ deal today – but may not even be there next year! If utilising a questionable installer with questionable parts, the odds of them ceasing operation in time – and thus leaving customers high and dry – is far greater. 

Making the Most of the Years

Warranties help provide some peace of mind when it comes to a solar installation. But it’s true there are additional steps that are always good form to practice where it concerns managing a solar installation from one year to the next. Ensuring a system gets regular checks and maintenance done is a great way to keep it in optimal condition from one year to the next.

So How Long is the Right Warranty?

E-Smart Solar are a talented team of qualified electricians and solar specialists. You can enjoy access to the very best products on the market, at the very best price.

LG Solar Panel Warranty. LG solar panels are manufactured in a fully automated manufacturing facility in Gumi, South Korea and come with a 25 year parts and labour product warranty and 25 year performance warranty held here in Australia by LG Electronics.

SMA inverters offer multi-award winning inverter design with quality European components. Their 5 year manufacturers warranty can be extended to an optional 25 years

Fronius inverters offer extended warranties (of up to 20 years) with award-winning design, and are reliable and efficient in Australian conditions

SolarEdge Inverters come with warranties of up to 12 years. They can also monitor the performance of each module for enhanced, cost-effective module-level maintenance.

Whichever combination of these warranties you acquire with your new solar system, hiring a quality solar installer that utilises trusted components and pursuing long-term warranties surrounding their system provides many benefits. There will be much greater peace of mind knowing the odds of something going wrong are far smaller, and in the unlikely event it does they’ve some additional protection to remedy it with their long-term warranties in place. 

E-Smart Solar delivers only the best for our Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury customers. For more information on our warranties contact us today.

Contributions of solar in renewable energy

Renewable energy is growing and we’ve got to use it. Every little step that people can do is fantastic. Solar, solar panels, solar energy, is a small thing we can do. It’s getting less expensive all the time and it’s worth giving a go if we can. We’re actually exporting power to the grid. At the moment, we’re getting 21 cents a kilowatt which is making it a little bit more financially rewarding as well too. We’re using energy from the sun to power our house and we’re also exporting power to the grid. It’s a win-win situation.

From the initial contact we make with our clients in the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury, we try to find out what their expectations are around what they’re going to get out of the solar system and that’ll almost always involve going to the site, meeting them face-to-face, getting a good understanding of what the site’s like and just managing their expectations about what it’s going to achieve.

If they’re looking at other solar systems online or from other providers, they might see a system that is $3,000 or $4,000 and it’s just not going to do what they think it might do. Being able to have a face-to-face with the client and explain the pros and cons of what we offer, versus what that system might offer, gives them a better understanding of what solar can do to help them.

The importance of researching about Solar

There’s a lot of misinformation online about what’s good and what’s bad. So again, being able to have a face-to-face discussion with a customer is always helpful. People that do more research before we get there and before we start the conversation is always beneficial because the more educated the customer is, the more they understand and the more research a customer can do and the better the understanding they have of the products that are out there, the better the decision they will make at the end of the day.

Planning on going solar but you’re not sure where to start? E-Smart can help you with that. Contact us today for more information.