10.8 kW of solar, and finally somewhere to put it

Problem to Solve

Rick lives in Murrumbateman, New South Wales, just outside Canberra, with his family. He invested in solar a few years ago, building up 10.8 kW of capacity across two rooftop systems installed at different times. For 18 months, the household had no electricity bills at all. Then things changed.

The retailer offering Rick a strong feed-in tariff was acquired by a larger energy company, which dropped the rate and eventually informed Rick they no longer supplied his area. He moved to another provider, only to find the same company to acquire that one too. With feed-in tariffs now next to nothing, Rick was exporting approximately 1,100 kWh per month to the grid and getting almost nothing back. He decided batteries were the logical next step, with a clear target: the system had to pay for itself within five years through the savings it generated.

The Installation

The installation was scheduled for January, but Rick was away and wanted to reschedule; VoltX Energy accommodated the change without issue. The installation was completed in March.

Rick noted the work was clean and tidy throughout; the switchboard was properly reconfigured to suit the workshop's setup on his property, and it was done with no fuss. He was very happy with how it was handled.

Why VoltX Energy

Rick compared multiple providers before committing. Several quoted him on 20 kWh systems, which he had already worked out would not be sufficient for his property's energy demands. He knew a smaller system would be flat every day and would not deliver the payback he needed.

VoltX Energy stood out for offering the largest capacity (52 kWh) at the most competitive price, especially when combined with government rebates. Rick had also independently researched outdoor and 4WD battery products under VoltX, which added credibility to the brand. The combination of sizing, price, and his own research made VoltX Energy a clear choice.

Day-to-Day Change

Before the battery, Michael timed high-energy appliances such as the dishwasher, clothes dryer, and washing machine to run during off-peak hours to reduce costs. At times, that meant staying up late to wait for the off-peak window to open.


With the battery in place, those appliances can run at any time of day without concern. Michael described it as living without thinking about it so much.

The App

Rick checks the VoltX Energy app almost daily. He monitors battery state of charge, how much power is being drawn from the grid, and overall usage across the property. He has found it particularly useful when traveling, checking in remotely to see how the system is performing.

Energy Independence

Rick's property has high electricity demands. The home runs reverse-cycle heating and cooling, and because it's in a rural area, every tap uses an electric pump. His daughter and her husband also live on the property, adding to overall consumption.

Despite that load, the battery system has handled it well. In good months, the household draws very little from the grid. Rick's view is straightforward: he is using the same amount of electricity as before, he is just paying far less for it. As a retiree on a pension, reducing fixed costs was the goal, and the battery has delivered.