Frequently Asked Questions

Not on its own. For safety, a standard grid-connected system switches off when the grid goes down. To keep power on during an outage, you need a battery set up with backup, and we'll talk you through which circuits you'd want covered, such as the fridge, lights and water pump.

Usually not. Most rooftop systems on homes and sheds in NSW can go ahead without council approval as long as they meet the standard requirements. Heritage-listed buildings, heritage areas and some larger ground-mounted systems may need approval, and we'll check this for your property before we quote.

It depends on your household's energy use and budget. We offer solar and battery packages in 6.6kW and 10kW options for most homes, and we'll help you work out the right fit during a consultation.

Yes. We have experience with insurance claims and damage assessments, using thermal imaging equipment to identify faults and recommend the right fix for your system.

We service Tamworth, Gunnedah, Armidale, Quirindi and the rural properties in between.

It depends on your system and how you use power. A battery stores the solar you don't use during the day, so you can run on it at night or during a blackout. For Tamworth households running air conditioning into the evening, a battery can make a real difference. It's essential for off-grid systems.

For most homes, yes, over time. How long it takes depends on your electricity rates, the size of your system, whether you add a battery and how much of your own power you use. We'll give you an honest estimate for your property before you commit.

An off-grid system isn't connected to the electricity network. It generates power with solar panels, stores it in a battery bank and usually has a backup generator for long cloudy spells. It suits rural properties where connecting to the grid would be expensive or unreliable.

Yes. We're licensed commercial and Level 2 electricians, so we handle switchboard upgrades, three-phase power, new installations, maintenance and repairs for businesses, farms and homes. If your switchboard needs upgrading before solar goes in, we can take care of that at the same time.

Most home installations are done in a day, once the design is approved and the equipment has arrived. Larger commercial and off-grid systems take longer, and we'll give you a clear timeline in your quote.

Farms and businesses use most of their power during the day, when solar is producing. That means more of the power you generate is used on site, which cuts costs faster than it would for a typical home. It also reduces your reliance on the grid and your exposure to rising network charges. It's worth talking to your accountant about any tax deductions that may apply.

Yes. A grid-connected system uses your solar first, draws from the grid when it needs to, and sends any surplus back to the network. Your energy retailer pays you a feed-in tariff for the power you export. If you'd rather be fully independent, we also design off-grid systems.

A little. Dust from harvest and dry spells can build up on panels and reduce output, so an occasional clean helps. We also recommend a regular check of the panels, inverter, battery and connections. We offer servicing and can set up monitoring so you'll notice if something isn't performing.

Yes. We design stand-alone solar systems for bores, stock water pumps, sheds and other infrastructure a long way from the house, sized to how much the equipment runs across the seasons.

Yes. Three-phase power suits heavier machinery, pumps and workshop equipment. As Level 2 electricians, we can handle the connection work with the network as well as the wiring on your property.

Yes. We regularly work on farms and rural properties across the district, including out toward Curlewis, Breeza, Mullaley, Carroll, Boggabri and Tambar Springs. Give us a call and we'll arrange a site visit.

Yes, though output drops when the cloud is thick. Panels still generate from diffuse light, and Armidale's clear winter days make up for a lot of the grey ones. A battery helps smooth out the difference, and for off-grid systems we size the battery and backup to cover cloudy stretches.

It does, and often better than you'd expect. Solar panels are more efficient in cool temperatures than in extreme heat. The main thing in winter is the shorter days, which is why we design Armidale systems around your year-round usage, not just summer.

It's a solar array installed on a frame on the ground rather than on your roof. It suits rural properties with plenty of space, roofs that face the wrong way or are shaded, and larger systems that won't fit on a roof. Ground-mounted panels are also easier to clean and maintain.

In NSW, work on the connection between your property and the electricity network, such as new service connections, overhead and underground mains and metering, must be done by a Level 2 Accredited Service Provider. Because we're Level 2 accredited as well as licensed electricians, we can handle the connection and the work on your property in one job.

Usually, yes. We'll check your current panels and inverter to see what's compatible, then recommend a battery that suits your system and how you use power, including in winter.

Turn the system off at the isolators if it's safe to do so, then give us a call. Hail can crack cells in ways you can't see from the ground. We use thermal imaging to find the damage and give you a written report to support your insurance claim, then take care of the repairs.

Yes, and it's easiest to plan it early. Because we're Level 2 electricians, we can arrange the new service connection, wire the building and install the solar as one job, so you're not coordinating separate contractors around your builder.

We start with your power bills, ideally covering both summer and winter, and a look at your roof or ground space, switchboard and shading. On a farm or lifestyle block we also factor in pumps, sheds and any equipment that runs during the day, so the system is sized to how you actually use power.