Sunshine Coast
Off Grid & Grid-tied Solar Power System Design & Installation
Panels + Inverters + Batteries + Generators
Off-Grid & Grid-tied Solar System Advice + Consulting + Installation + Upgrades
- Choosing between mains cabling over a distance or your own solar system?
- Are you building and want to be off-grid?
- Planning to go off-grid for energy and need help?
- Already off-grid and want to expand or upgrade your capacity?
- Want to DIY and need some help or advice?
- Do you just have questions about off-grid living?
We can work to most budgets and needs. Going off-grid can be surprisingly affordable!
Hybrid Solar Power Systems
A hybrid system that provides electricity while the sun shines and switches to battery power at night can be ideal - especially if you spend a lot of time at home during the day, work from home or your workplace is solar powered.
The advantage of a hybrid system is that it reduces the load on your battery during the day and extends it's life. As the sun goes down your battery will be fully charged and ready to supply your nighttime needs. In the morning when the sun comes up the cycle begins again and your battery starts to recharge again while you use the sun directly for your power.
We offer off-grid & grid tied solar system consulting + construction + custom system installation solutions in the Sunshine Coast region.
Will I need an Electrician?
We recommend that system installation and commissioning be undertaken or supervised by a qualified electrician.
All our solar installations on the Sunshine Coast are done by our licensed electrician.
Small DC systems for cabins or caravans can be installed by the customer however some knowledge and care is needed. If you have any doubts in this regard you should consult an electrician for assistance in installing and commissioning your system.
Customizable off-grid & grid-tied solar power system options:
Please note that descriptions, specifications and prices are for indicative purposes - we will always provide a customised estimate once we have evaluated your actual requirements. Tiled roofs or systems needing tilt frames will incur additional charges.
The STC Solar Rebate currently (2024) offers up to 25% off the total price of a project. The value of STC's is reducing at around 7% a year compounding, until 2030 when it will be nil. Get in quick!
Small
6.6kw
5kw Sungrow SG5.0RS
15x Jinko N type 440w 6.6kw
Parts and labour = $8,736
Total including gst = $9,609
STC Rebate - $2,382
Total after STC rebate
$7,227
Medium
10.56kw
8kw Sungrow SG8.0RS
24x Jinko N type 440w 10.56kw
Parts and labour = $12,916
Total including gst = $14,208
STC Rebate -$3,811
Total after STC rebate
$10,397
Large
13.2kw
10kw Sungrow SG10.0RS
30 x Jinko N Type 440w 13.2kw
Equipment & labour = $15,172
Total including gst = $16,689
STC Rebate -$4,760
Total after STC rebate
$11,930
Off Grid
Upgrade option 1
Hybrid Inverter Sungrow 5
additional $1,595 inc GST
Off Grid
Upgrade option 2
Hybrid Inverter Sungrow 10
additional $1,991 inc GST
Add Batteries to Hybrid Inverter
Starter battery system, with back-ups wired to essential circuits with changeover switches. Sungrow SGB064 battery bank Includes minimum 2x 3.2kw batteries & Base Kit:
Small battery system - 6.4kw (2 batteries) Installed $8,944 inc GST.
Battery upgrade options available are:
Medium system - 9.6kw (3 batteries)
Large system - 44.8kw (14 batteries)
Additional 3.2kw battery supplied and installed $2,155 inc GST. Max of 7 batteries per base, up to 4 battery banks per system. Total Max 89.6kw Storage.
Add Inverter Generator
We would recommend and supply a diesel inverter generator with sufficient output to supply power and at the same time charge the battery. This means that for example that a 6.6kw system will need a 6.4kw generator
6.4kw Generator installed $8,944 inc GST.
A good diesel generator that will give many years of reliable service (providing it's regularly serviced) will cost around $1400 per kw
Rebates for solar panels, batteries, and equipment
Government financial incentives and rebates may be available for some elements of your solar system installation. Please ask us about the options.
The rebates can be given as Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs). STCs can be used as a rebate (receiving cash back after your purchase).
Can I get a QLD Government solar rebate?
Technically its an Australia-wide rebate program called the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme which covers:
- Solar water heaters
- Heat pumps
- Small-scale solar photovoltaic systems
- Wind turbines
- Hydroelectricity generation
When installing one of these systems, you may be eligible for Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) based on several factors.
The number of STCs you receive for your solar system purchase will depend on three factors:
- Where you live: Each suburb receives a different solar rating based on how much energy your system is likely to produce.
- When it’s installed till 2030 - the longer you wait, the fewer STCs you’ll receive.
- The size of your system - the larger your system, the more STCs you’ll receive.
When you purchase a solar system, you may be eligible for a certain number of STCs based on the size and location of your system. Essentially STCs are a currency that represent the amount of power your solar system is projected to generate through to 2030.
The average amount for rebates is around $35 to $40 per STC - the number of STCs you can depend on the factors mentioned above. On average, if you install a 6.6kW system, you'll receive a QLD government solar rebate of around $3,240.
Off Grid Solar System Batteries
Batteries can be shipped separately to you ready for connection. We supply the cables ready for this. If you are not comfortable dealing with electricity you can call a local electrician to safely assist you. Our battery systems are 48 volts so some some care is required. We supply lithium iron (LiFe) batteries.
Off Grid Solar System PV Panels
Additional solar panels can be shipped directly to you from our nearest supplier. You may need an experienced roofer to be fix the panels correctly to the roof. We normally do not supply railings for the roof however these can be ordered as a separate item. If you have the space and prefer you can choose to have the panels a-framed and placed on the ground which you can do your self. You can also A-frame the panels on the roof. We can explain how this works and the advantages it offers.User Friendly Solar Power System Monitoring
Example of Grid-tied configuration
Going Off Grid for Electricity in Australia
If you want to go off-grid or already are and want to expand your capacity we can help. Living in the suburbs may not be an impediment to going off-grid - even if you already have a grid connected solar system.
Call Nick on 0452 535 002 to find out more
Maybe you have been traveling and now have a place to park and call your own, maybe you have bought a property and now want to develop your off-grid lifestyle, or maybe you are already off grid and want to expand or upgrade. We will work to most budgets and needs. You may be surprised at how affordable going off-grid can be and how much money you can save in electricity costs. We can quickly let you know the difference between mains copper or aluminium cabling to your house versus the cost fo solar power independence
If you feel that you need some help to reduce your power consumption whether you are grid-connected or off-grid we can help by doing a survey of your usage and offering solutions.
Conversions and New Builds
Retro-fitting and converting from grid connected power to off-grid is fairly straight forward - typically this is what most of our clients want.
We assist builders, renevators, and fabricators of tiny homes and off grid dwellings from the onset. If you or a client needs to go completely off grid either by converting an existing system, expanding capacity or creating a hybrid system we can help.
We are also very happy to be involved from the outset of a building project to help integrate an off grid solar system into the build. This can definitely save money on your project.
A holistic pre-planned approach can offer up possibilities and opportunities that may not be available once the project is already built. Contact us to discuss options.
Off Grid Solar System Parts & Equipment Sales
If you need solar equipment items such as solar panels (new or used), electrical equipment or components such as inverters, chargers, batteries, and generators.
Contact us - we are happy to source and sell individual items for off grid solar systems. Explore what we offer.
Whether you are starting from scratch, upgrading or replacing your solar installation it's useful to get a picture of what your needs are beforehand - call for a chat..
Sunshine Coast Solar
May 2024 figures show that Queensland has the highest rate of household solar installations in Australia, with 1-in-3 homes using solar.
Around 850,000 homes and small businesses across Queensland have rooftop solar, generating clean energy with a combined capacity of over 5,300 MW.
According to data from the clean energy regulator, apart from solar farms, the Sunshine Coast region has installed 360 MW of rooftop solar PV capacity since 2008. More than half of all Queensland dwellings (53%) have now installed solar PV on their roofs.
Information on the number of off-grid solar installations in QLD is not available at this time.