Battery Storage

Battery Storage Without Solar: Why It Makes Sense

10 January 2026•6 min read

Most people assume you need solar panels to have a battery system. That's not true.

Battery storage delivers significant benefits *even without solar panels*:

Backup power during outages

Load shifting to reduce electricity bills

Protection from grid instability

Future-proofing for solar later

Let's explore why battery-only systems make sense — especially in the Snowy Mountains.

Why Battery Storage Matters in Alpine Areas

Power Outages Are Common

The Snowy Mountains experiences frequent power outages:

Essential Energy Network Data:

Average 245 unplanned outage minutes per customer annually

Storm-related outages increase in winter

Remote properties at end of long power lines are most vulnerable

Some areas experience 5-10 outages per year

Winter Outages = Property Damage

Unlike cities, alpine power outages aren't just inconvenient — they're costly:

Risks During Winter Outages:

Pipes freeze and burst ($5,000-$20,000 damage)

Heating systems fail

Security systems go offline

Food spoilage

No hot water

Unable to charge devices

For holiday homes left unoccupied, a single winter outage can cause catastrophic damage.

How Battery-Only Systems Work

Backup Power Mode

The battery sits between the grid and your home:

1. Normal operation: Grid powers your home, battery stays charged

2. Outage detected: Battery takes over in milliseconds (seamless transition)

3. Essential loads powered: Heating, fridge, lights, security

4. Duration: 6-24 hours depending on battery size and loads

You never lose power — even when the grid fails.

Load Shifting (Time-of-Use)

If you're on a time-of-use tariff:

1. Off-peak hours (10pm-7am): Battery charges from cheap grid power (~16c/kWh)

2. Peak hours (5pm-9pm): Battery powers your home, avoiding expensive rates (~45c/kWh)

3. Savings: $800-$1,400 per year

The battery acts like a storage tank — buy electricity when it's cheap, use it when it's expensive.

Battery System Components

What's Included

Battery Storage System:

Lithium battery pack (10-15kWh typical)

Hybrid inverter

Switchboard modifications

Backup circuits

Monitoring system

Installation:

1-2 days for complete installation

Council approval (if required)

Electrical compliance certificate

Commissioning and testing

Battery Options

|---------|----------|------|----------|

| Tesla Powerwall 2 | 13.5kWh | $12,500 | Whole-home backup |

| Sonnen Eco | 10-15kWh | $13,000-$16,000 | Premium features |

| BYD Battery-Box | 5-15kWh | $8,500-$14,000 | Budget conscious |

| Alpha ESS | 10-13kWh | $9,500-$12,500 | Good value |

Prices include battery, inverter, and installation.

Backup Loads: What to Power?

Essential Loads (Whole-Home Backup)

Some systems can power everything:

All lights

All power points

Heating systems

Appliances

Hot water

Requirements:

Larger battery (13.5kWh+)

Higher inverter capacity (10kW+)

Higher cost ($15,000-$20,000)

Runtime:

Normal usage: 12-24 hours

Conservative usage: 24-48 hours

Partial Backup (Essential Circuits)

More affordable option — power only critical loads:

1-2 bedroom lights

Fridge/freezer

Security system

Internet router

2-3 power points

Heating thermostat

Requirements:

Smaller battery (10kWh)

Standard inverter

Lower cost ($10,000-$13,000)

Runtime:

Normal usage: 24-48 hours

Conservative usage: 48+ hours

We separate essential circuits during installation so the battery only powers what matters.

Economics of Battery-Only Systems

Upfront Costs

Typical System (10-13.5kWh):

Battery and inverter: $9,000-$15,000

Installation: $1,500-$2,500

Total: $10,500-$17,500

No rebates currently available for battery-only systems (rebates only apply if paired with solar).

Savings: Load Shifting

If you're on time-of-use tariff:

Without Battery:

Peak usage (5pm-9pm): 15kWh × $0.45/kWh = $6.75/day

Annual cost: $2,464

With Battery:

Off-peak charging (10pm-7am): 15kWh × $0.16/kWh = $2.40/day

Annual cost: $876

Annual savings: $1,588

Payback period: 6-10 years from savings alone.

Value: Backup Power

Cost of One Pipe Burst:

Plumber callout: $300-$500

Pipe repairs: $1,500-$5,000

Water damage restoration: $3,000-$15,000

Lost rental income (holiday home): $2,000-$8,000

Total: $6,800-$28,500

One prevented incident pays for the battery system.

Battery + Solar: Adding Panels Later

Why Start with Battery Only

Reasons to install battery first, solar later:

1. Immediate backup protection (outages don't wait)

2. Spread costs (solar can be added in 1-2 years)

3. Assess usage (understand your consumption before sizing solar)

4. Future-proof (batteries are hybrid-ready for solar)

Adding Solar Later

When you're ready:

1. Solar panels installed (typically 6.6-10kW)

2. Connected to existing inverter (if hybrid-ready)

3. System reconfigured for solar priority

No waste — the battery and inverter you bought are solar-compatible.

Monitoring and Alerts

Modern battery systems have smartphone apps:

What You Can Monitor:

Battery charge level

Power consumption (real-time)

Grid status (online/offline)

Historical usage

Alerts:

Power outage detected

Battery low

System faults

Perfect for holiday homes — get notified instantly if power fails.

Installation Process

1. Site Assessment (Free)

We visit your property to assess:

Switchboard capacity

Mounting location for battery

Essential circuits to separate

Backup requirements

2. Quote and System Design

We provide:

System recommendation

Detailed quote

Expected runtime calculations

Savings estimate

3. Council Approval (If Required)

Some councils require approval:

We handle all paperwork

Approval typically 2-4 weeks

Not all installations require approval

4. Installation (1-2 Days)

Switchboard modifications

Battery mounting

Inverter installation

Circuit separation (if partial backup)

Testing and commissioning

5. Handover

App setup and training

User manual

Compliance certificates

Warranty registration

Is Battery Storage Right for You?

Good Fit:

Properties that experience frequent outages

Holiday homes at risk of freeze damage

Time-of-use electricity tariff

Wanting backup power independence

Planning to add solar later

Not Ideal:

Very rare outages (city with reliable grid)

Flat-rate electricity tariff (no load shifting benefit)

Renting (can't take battery when you move)

Very tight budget (solar-only is cheaper per dollar spent)

Common Questions

Q: How long do batteries last?

10-15 years typical lifespan. Warranties are usually 10 years.

Q: What if the battery runs out during an outage?

Grid-tied systems revert to grid power. Off-grid systems can use a generator to recharge.

Q: Can I charge from solar later?

Yes — all systems we install are hybrid-ready for future solar.

Q: Does it work during storms?

Yes. The battery is indoors and unaffected by weather.

Q: What maintenance is required?

None. Annual inspection recommended but not required.

Get a Battery Storage Quote

We provide free assessments including:

Outage risk analysis for your area

Backup load calculations

Runtime estimates

Payback analysis

No-obligation quote