On-Grid Design Questions
Planning grid-connected solar and batteries? Explore the questions we ask about existing solar, blackout backup, energy use, equipment locations and budget.
A practical guide from Mike Haydon and The Off Grid Shop.
What timeframe are you working towards?
Are you ready to move ahead now, or planning for later? Tell us your preferred date and any events affecting the timing. We will explain the steps and confirm a realistic schedule.
Is your electricity supply single-phase, two-phase or three-phase?
If you are unsure, send photos of the accessible meter and switchboard labels, with covers left in place. Our designer will review them and arrange confirmation by an electrician where appropriate. Fuse counts alone do not reliably identify the supply.
The supply arrangement affects inverter and backup options. Two-phase properties receive a specific compatibility check, including the actual supply configuration and manufacturer-supported equipment.
Do you have existing solar?
How old is the system, and would you like to keep it, add to it, or remove it and install a new system?
If you know the panel capacity and inverter model, send those details through. Photos of the equipment labels and any information about its performance are useful too.
We will assess the existing equipment and explain what can be retained, what is compatible with the proposed design, and what replacement involves.
What would you like the battery to do for you?
Are you looking for power during outages, more use of your own solar, lower electricity bills, or a combination? We design around your priorities and explain the limits as well as the benefits.
Who supplies your electricity, and what does your bill show?
Send a recent bill showing usage, tariffs, feed-in rates and daily charges. Interval data helps us understand daytime and overnight use.
Battery savings depend on your usage, tariffs, installed cost and system operation. We will explain the assumptions behind any estimate. Keeping a grid connection generally means continuing to pay its daily supply charge. A battery can store surplus solar for later use, subject to available generation and capacity.
In a blackout, what would you like to keep running?
Think about lights, the fridge, internet, water pumps and any other priority appliances. Tell us how long you would like backup to last. We compare selected-circuit backup with broader household backup, including the equipment and switchboard work involved.
Whole-house backup does not mean unlimited power. The inverter output, battery charge and appliances running together determine what the system can supply. We will explain which circuits are included and how the system operates during an outage.
Are you on town water or using a pump?
A power outage can also interrupt water where your property relies on electric pumps. Tell us about tank, bore, pressure and wastewater pumps. Photos of model labels help us check running power and starting demand.
Where are the switchboard, panels and proposed battery location?
We use Pylon to explore panel layouts and discuss equipment locations with you. We ask about roof material, direction, shade and available space, then mark the switchboard and proposed battery position in the design.
Send a wide photo of the proposed battery area and nearby doors, windows, vents and equipment. Mention whether you would prefer the battery in the shed. The designer will assess access, clearances, wall construction, cable routes and manufacturer instructions before confirming the location.
What switchboard work is included?
Our electrician will assess the existing board and the circuits proposed for backup. The design will identify protection upgrades and any other electrical work included. The scope depends on the existing installation and backup arrangement; it is separate from simply assuming every breaker is replaced to obtain an incentive.
How do you heat, cool and cook?
Tell us about air conditioning, winter heating, hot water, cooktops and ovens, including which use electricity or gas. We ask when they run and which ones you want available during a blackout. Daytime hot-water controls may help use available solar.
Do you have an EV, or plan to buy one?
We ask about the vehicle, driving distance, time at home and preferred charging time. That helps us compare charging speed, household demand and opportunities to charge from solar. Extra panels are assessed against roof space, equipment limits and network approval.
Vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-grid are separate design conversations. Compatibility, approvals, warranty terms and the vehicle's availability all affect what is practical. Charging recommendations follow the vehicle manufacturer's guidance.
What budget would you like us to work within?
Once we understand your priorities, we can compare designs within your budget and explain options for staging future additions.
Let’s talk about your home
Bring your electricity bill, photos and questions. We will work through the options with you.
Planning a property without a grid connection? Read our Off-Grid Design Questions.
Exploring electricity plans?
Explore our electricity-plan guides for Localvolts, Amber Electric, GloBird Energy and Flow Power.