Installing a solar battery system is more involved than many homeowners expect. Beyond the headline price of panels and battery, there are installation logistics, potential switchboard upgrades, meter changes, and other costs that can catch you off guard. This guide walks you through the entire process so you know exactly what to expect — and what it really costs.
The Installation Timeline
From initial enquiry to a fully operational system, here's a realistic timeline:
| Stage | Timeframe | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Quotes and decision | 1–3 weeks | Get 3+ quotes, compare, and choose an installer |
| Site assessment | 1–2 weeks | Installer visits to assess roof, switchboard, and shading |
| Design and approvals | 1–3 weeks | System design finalised, council/network applications lodged |
| Installation day | 1–2 days | Panels, inverter, battery, and wiring installed |
| Inspection and connection | 1–4 weeks | Electrical inspection, meter change, grid connection approval |
In total, expect 4–10 weeks from signing the contract to a fully grid-connected and operational system. The biggest variable is the grid connection approval, which depends on your electricity distributor's processing times.
What Happens on Installation Day
A typical solar-plus-battery installation involves:
- Morning (8–9am): Installation crew arrives, sets up scaffolding or safety equipment, confirms panel layout on roof
- Morning–midday: Roof rails and panel mounting brackets installed, panels placed and secured
- Midday–afternoon: DC wiring from panels to inverter, inverter mounted (typically in garage or on exterior wall)
- Afternoon: Battery installed (wall-mounted or floor-mounted), connected to inverter and switchboard
- Late afternoon: System commissioned, tested, monitoring set up, homeowner walkthrough
Most solar-only installations take a single day. Adding a battery typically adds 2–4 hours. Complex installations (split arrays, switchboard upgrade, backup gateway) may extend to a second day — the choice between AC-coupled and DC-coupled batteries also affects install time and wiring layout.
Switchboard Upgrade Costs
This is one of the most common "additional" costs that surprises homeowners. Your switchboard (also called a meter box or distribution board) needs to accommodate additional circuit breakers for the solar inverter and battery. If your switchboard is:
| Switchboard Condition | Likely Action | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Modern (post-2000), has spare capacity | No upgrade needed | $0 |
| Modern but full (no spare circuits) | Sub-board addition | $500–$1,000 |
| Older (ceramic fuses, no RCDs) | Full replacement | $1,200–$2,000 |
| Very old (pre-1980s, non-compliant) | Full replacement + rewiring | $1,500–$3,000 |
Meter Change Requirements
To export solar to the grid and receive a feed-in tariff, you need a bidirectional (import/export) meter. Most modern digital meters are already bidirectional, but older analog meters or basic digital meters will need replacing.
- Smart meter already installed: Usually just a remote reconfiguration — $0–$100
- Older meter needing replacement: Your distributor will install a new smart meter — $0–$500 depending on your state and distributor
- Victoria: All homes should already have smart meters due to the mandatory rollout — typically no change needed
Your installer should coordinate the meter change as part of the grid connection process. In most states, the electricity distributor covers the cost of the meter itself, but there may be an installation or reconfiguration fee.
Hidden Costs to Watch For
Beyond switchboard and meter costs, here are other expenses that might not appear in the headline quote:
Roof Condition
If your roof tiles are damaged, your tin roof has rust, or your roof structure isn't strong enough for panels, repairs will be needed before installation. Cost: $500–$5,000+ depending on the issue. Reputable installers will identify this during the site assessment.
Asbestos
Homes built before 1990 may have asbestos in their eaves or roofing. If drilling into asbestos-containing materials is required, specialist removal or encapsulation is needed. Cost: $1,000–$5,000+.
Long Cable Runs
If your inverter location is far from either the panels or the switchboard, additional cabling adds cost. Standard installations include up to 15–20m of DC cabling. Beyond that, expect $100–$300 for additional runs. If you already have solar, see our guide to adding a battery to an existing solar system for retrofit-specific cost drivers.
Trenching for Battery
If your battery is installed in a separate location (e.g., a shed or separate garage) and requires underground cabling, trenching costs $300–$800.
Network Charges
Some electricity distributors charge a connection or application fee for new solar installations. This is typically $0–$300 but can be higher for larger systems requiring network studies.
Total Installed Cost Breakdown
Here's what a typical 6.6kW solar + 10kWh battery installation looks like when you include everything:
| Item | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 6.6kW solar panels | $3,500–$5,500 |
| Hybrid inverter | $1,500–$3,000 |
| 10kWh battery | $6,000–$9,000 |
| Installation labour | $1,500–$3,000 |
| Switchboard work | $0–$2,000 |
| STC rebate (deducted) | −$2,500 to −$3,500 |
| Total | $10,000–$19,000 |
Plan Your Installation Budget
Understanding the full cost picture helps you budget accurately and avoid surprises. Use our Solar ROI Calculator and Battery Payback Calculator to model different system configurations and ensure the investment makes financial sense after accounting for all costs. Getting at least three detailed quotes from CEC-accredited installers is the best way to understand the real cost for your specific home.