Blog
Notes from the roof
Things worth knowing about solar and batteries in Melbourne, written by the people installing them.
How it works
Why your solar stops working in a blackout
Grid-connected solar shuts down during a power outage, and it is not a fault. Here is why it happens and what it takes to keep the lights on.
4 August 2026
Batteries
Should you add a battery to an old solar system?
If you have a 1.5 kW or 3 kW system from the first rebate wave, a battery is often the wrong first move. Here is how to work out what to do instead.
18 July 2026
System design
West-facing or north-facing panels in Melbourne?
North-facing panels generate the most over a year. That does not automatically make them the best financial choice with today's feed-in tariffs.
22 June 2026
Buying advice
What to check before signing a solar contract
Solar has a persistent high-pressure sales problem. A practical checklist of what to verify, and the warning signs worth walking away from.
30 May 2026
How it works
Solar through a Melbourne winter: what to expect
Winter output drops sharply in Melbourne while consumption rises. Here is what is normal, what is a fault, and how to plan for it.
12 May 2026
System design
Three-phase or single-phase: what it means for your system
Your supply type sets a practical ceiling on system size. How to tell what you have, and what it means for solar, batteries and EV charging.
27 April 2026
Maintenance
Your inverter will fail before your panels do
Panels last 25 years or more. Inverters typically last 8 to 12. Planning for that replacement is part of owning a solar system properly.
8 April 2026
Find out what solar and battery would cost on your roof
Send us a few details and we will come back with a written quote — system size, output estimate, rebates applied, and the final price.