Frequently Asked Questions

Is Solar worth it in 2026 and beyond?

For many businesses, installing solar can be extremely worthwhile, delivering significant long-term savings and operational benefits.

Here are the key reasons why solar is worth it:

Reduce operating costs: generate your own energy and lower your reliance on the grid.
Improve long-term ROI: businesses with high energy consumption can often see strong returns through ongoing electricity savings.
Support sustainability goals: reduce your business’s carbon footprint by using clean, renewable energy.
Increase energy independence: battery storage can help businesses use more of the power they generate and reduce exposure to peak pricing.
Access government incentives: available rebates and feed-in tariffs may improve the financial return of your system.

The exact benefits of solar for your business depend on factors like your energy usage, operating hours, available roof space, system size, and local incentives, so a tailored assessment is recommended before installation. Contact our commercial solar installers today.

You can also find out more about switching to solar and the incentives available for homes and businesses on the Australian Government’s solar consumer guide.

What are the main components of a solar system installation?

A solar power system is made up of several key components that work together to capture, convert and manage energy for your home or business.

The main components include:

Solar panels (or photovoltaic/PV panels): are devices that capture sunlight and convert it into electricity.
Inverter: converts direct current (DC) electricity generated by solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity.
Mounting system: provides a secure frame for installing the panels on the roof.
DC isolators: allow the system to be safely isolated in the event of a fault or maintenance.
UV-stabilised conduit: protects electrical cabling from weather and environment damage.
Smart meter: enables monitoring of how much energy is produced, consumed onsite, and exported back to the grid.

How do solar panels work?

Solar panels use photovoltaic (PV) cells to convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity. This electricity is sent to an inverter, which converts it into 240V alternating current (AC) power for use in your business or home. Any excess energy can be used onsite, stored in a battery, or exported back to the grid.

What size solar system do you need?

For Businesses:

If you’re wondering what solar system size is right for your business, consider these key factors:

Your energy consumption: Think about the nature of your operations and the size of your premises.
Your location: How much sunlight does your rooftop receive throughout the year?
Your business goals: Are you aiming for full energy independence, or just to offset a portion of your electricity bill?

Read our guide on what size solar system you need for your business. You can also check out the SunSPOT solar potential tool to compare system size recommendations and cost estimates.

For Homes:

The right solar system size for your home depends on your household energy use, available roof space, and sunlight exposure. Consider how much electricity you use each day, which appliances consume the most energy, and whether you want to offset a portion of your electricity bills or achieve greater energy independence.

It’s also important to consider your future energy needs, for example, if you’re planning on buying an electric vehicle, increasing the use of your air conditioning, or looking to heat your swimming pool.

As a guide, a 6.6 kW system in a sunny city like Brisbane typically generates around 24–27 kWh of electricity per day, which is typically enough to cover most of the energy needs of a medium‑sized household.

How do you clean solar panels?

A build-up of dirt, debris, or bird droppings can reduce your solar panels’ efficiency, so regular inspections and cleaning are important. Clean panels during the cooler parts of the day, and consider professional cleaning for roof-mounted or hard-to-reach systems to ensure safety and optimal performance. Learn more about how to clean your rooftop solar panels. You can also take advantage of DS Energy’s Clean & Check Program.

What makes for a good quality solar installation?

There are a number of factors that contribute to a good quality solar installation. However, from our perspective, the three that will determine the long-term success of the system are the sales company, the components and the installation team. The nexus of these three is what you are hoping for in any installation.

Sales Company

Finding a sales company is often the easiest of the three steps. Finding one you truly trust can be more challenging. In many cases, your interactions will be primarily with a salesperson who may be driven by sales targets and commissions rather than the long-term success of the business. For this reason, it’s recommended that you ensure you have a direct line of sight to the business owner and feel confident in their integrity. This provides reassurance that if something goes wrong, you’ll be able to access the right person to resolve it. We also advise that you beware of sales reps pushing for you to sign a contract on the spot without receiving a comprehensive site assessment, or specifics around warranty or brands used.

Components

The solar industry is flooded with manufacturers, making it difficult to distinguish between high-quality and poor-quality components. If you’ve identified a reputable sales company, they should be able to provide sound recommendations on the components best suited to your property, energy needs, budget and long-term goals – not just the cheapest options available.

When comparing solar quotes, price is only one part of the decision. A cheaper system may cost less upfront, but a higher-quality system from a reputable installer can offer better components, stronger warranties, more reliable performance and better support over the long term.

Key things to consider when reviewing a high-quality component supplier include:

How long have they been in business?
What panels, inverters and other components do they recommend and use?
Do they have a local Australian business or is the company only supported through a distributor?
Are they on the list of Clean Energy Council (CEC) Approved Products?
Who else has chosen them – look at the case studies project examples, and google reviews.
What warranties do they have, and who is responsible for honouring them?

The Australian Government’s solar consumer guide shares some useful information about typical solar component and product warranties and insurance, as well as what to look for.

Installation team

There are many high-quality installers in the market, however there are also a significant number of poor-quality installers. For many sales companies, the quickest way to reduce costs and increase profit is to outsource installations to small teams with low overheads. Reputable sales companies may still outsource installations, but they work with long-term installation partners who have completed many systems for them. Before signing a contract, be sure to ask who will be installing your system. Make sure the installer is a CEC Accredited Solar Designer and Installer. You can check an installer’s accreditations here.

DS Energy removes this uncertainty by combining the sales, component selection, system design, installation process and ongoing maintenance and support under one roof, so that every single stage of the process is managed with clear accountability and consistent quality control.

It means you know who you are working with, who is installing your system, and who will be there to support it over the long term.

Learn more about our solar system installation process.

What does a solar inverter do?

A solar inverter is a key component of a solar power system. It converts the direct current (DC) electricity generated by your solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity, which is what your home or business uses to power appliances and equipment.

Here’s why it’s an important component of your solar system:

Efficient energy use: A solar inverter ensures the electricity from your panels can be used in your home or business.
Maximises solar output: It monitors panel performance to get the most energy from your system.
System protection: An inverter safeguards your panels and wiring from electrical faults.
Energy storage and grid connection: An inverter enables integration with your solar battery, allowing you to store excess energy during the day or send excess electricity back to the grid.

Do you need a solar inverter?

Yes. A solar inverter is essential for any solar power system. Without it, the electricity your panels generate (DC electricity) cannot be used in your home or business, which relies on AC electricity. It protects your system from electrical faults and optimises your system performance to generate as much energy as possible.

What is the best solar inverter in Australia?

There are several types of solar inverters available in Australia, each suited to different system sizes, roof layouts, and energy goals. A good quality solar inverter is important. It’s essentially the “brain” of the system, and the most common point of failure.

Solar inverter types to consider:

String Inverters: The most common type of solar inverter. They connect multiple panels (strings) to a central inverter. Ideal for standard residential and small to medium commercial systems.
Microinverters: A small inverter installed on each individual panel, optimising the output of each panel independently. Great for shaded, complex, or multi-orientated roofs, ensuring maximum energy generation.
Hybrid Inverters: Also known as a multi-mode inverter, they combine both solar generation and battery storage in one unit. Perfect for businesses looking to store excess energy, reduce reliance on the grid, and future-proof their system for energy independence.
Central Inverters: Designed for large-scale commercial or industrial projects, they consolidate power from multiple strings of panels into a single, high-capacity unit. Ideal for warehouses, shopping centres, or other large installations.

Some of the best solar inverters in Australia that DS Energy uses include Fronius, Sungrow, SolarEdge and more.

What size solar battery do you need?

The size of the solar battery depends on your energy consumption, solar system capacity and intended usage of stored solar energy.

Typical battery capacities in Australia include:

10–15 kWh: Adequate for most family homes or partial backup for small businesses.
20–50 kWh: Ideal for high-energy households, larger commercial premises, or extended backup requirements.
100 kWh+: Designed for large commercial, industrial, or multi-site projects, capable of storing significant energy for continuous operations.

Learn more about solar batteries in our Complete Guide to Solar Batteries in Australia.

Are solar batteries worth it?

Solar batteries can be a worthwhile investment if you want to store excess energy from your solar panels for use at night, reduce reliance on the grid, and lower your exposure to peak electricity rates. They can also provide backup power during outages and help you maximise your solar savings by using more of the energy you generate instead of exporting it at low feed-in tariff rates. You can read our article Are solar batteries worth it financially?, or learn more about the Australian Government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program.

You can also find out more about the costs and benefits of adding a battery in the solar consumer guide.

What is the best solar battery in Australia?

The best choice of solar battery ultimately depends on the solar system size, usage profile and whether or not you need backup power. Here are the leading solar battery systems in Australia:

Tesla Powerwall 2: Australia’s most recognisable battery brand with a usable capacity of 13.5kWh. Key features include integrated inverter functionality, wall-mounted design, and a 10-year warranty. Ideal for residential installations.
SolarEdge Home Battery: Cutting-edge safety technology available in modular configurations from 9.7kWh to 29.1kWh. Key features include DC-coupled design, automatic fire suppression system, high-level safety certifications. These batteries integrate seamlessly with SolarEdge inverter systems.
Sungrow SBR Series: Offers scalable capacity options. Key features include high-quality lithium iron phosphate cells, advanced safety features and local support through Sungrow’s Australian operations.
BYD Battery-Box Premium: High-performance storage solution with a capacity of 15.36kWh. Key features include automotive-grade lithium technology, modular expansion capabilities, compatibility with leading inverter brands, and a 10-year warranty. Ideal for larger residential or small commercial applications.
Fronius BYD HVS: Combines Fronius inverter technology with BYD battery cell, and has a capacity range of 5.1kWh to 12.8kWh (HSV) and from 8.3 to 22.1 kWh (HVM). Key features include backup power capability, high charging and discharging powers, and a 10-year warranty.