For years our electricity bills were climbing higher and higher.

At one point we were paying over $600 per month for electricity, and to make matters worse, the power still kept going out. Storms, grid outages, and planned maintenance shutdowns were becoming a regular inconvenience.

That’s when I decided it was time to do something about it.

Instead of simply complaining about rising energy prices, I chose to see whether it was possible to become almost self-sufficient in electricity by installing a large solar and battery system at our home.

In this article and video, I’ll explain why I decided to install a mega solar system, how the installation went, and whether the system has actually delivered the savings and energy independence we hoped for.

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Why Our Electricity Bills Were So High

Some people might look at a $600 monthly electricity bill and think that’s excessive.

But when you break it down, the numbers start to make sense.

We live in a large home in a hot and humid climate, with four adults living here. Air conditioning is used frequently during summer, and everyone in the house works from home, which means computers, equipment, lighting and appliances are running throughout the day.

On top of that, we live a modern lifestyle that uses plenty of electricity.

It’s also worth mentioning that this $600 monthly figure already included the savings from our previous solar system.

Back in 2011 we installed a 28-panel solar system on our shed roof. At the time it dramatically reduced our power bills. In fact, when it was first installed our electricity costs dropped to around $50 per month.

But over the years several things changed:

  • Electricity prices increased significantly
  • Feed-in tariffs for exporting solar energy dropped
  • Our household electricity use increased
  • We now run a business from home

Eventually our old solar system simply wasn’t big enough for our needs.

Blackouts Were Becoming a Real Problem

It wasn’t just the cost of electricity that concerned me.

The volatility of the grid supply was also becoming stressful.

When you work from home, store large amounts of food in fridges and freezers, or need to power important equipment like medical gear, a blackout becomes much more than just a minor inconvenience.

A few years ago I even installed an external generator plug so that we could run essential appliances during outages.

Then, when Cyclone Alfred threatened Queensland last year, I prepared for the worst.

I pulled the generators out of the shed, filled them with petrol, and tried to start them.

They wouldn’t start.

That moment was incredibly frustrating. In fact, in a previous video I admitted that when it came to being self-sufficient in power, I had failed.

That experience convinced me that a battery system connected to solar would be a far better solution.

Enter Resinc Solar

After seeing that Cyclone preparation video, Resinc Solar contacted me and offered to perform a free assessment of our property to determine whether adding a battery and upgrading our solar system would make sense.

Before moving forward, I did my own research on the company.

Resinc Solar happens to be one of the most awarded and trusted solar installation companies in Australia, and they have been operating for more than 15 years.

I provided them with our electricity usage history and the details of our existing solar setup.

Their conclusion?

Our home required a much larger solar system paired with substantial battery storage.

Our New Solar and Battery System

The final design was a serious upgrade:

  • 62 solar panels
  • 25 kW Sungrow inverter
  • 50 kWh Sungrow battery storage
  • 3-phase power system
  • Additional 5 kW inverter for the shed

The solar panels used in the installation are 475-watt Longi panels, which are known for their efficiency and durability.

Modern solar technology has improved dramatically. For example, the 28 panels on our shed were replaced with just 14 new panels, yet the total output increased by around 20 percent.

The system also includes optimisers that help reduce the impact of partial shading on solar production.

Another impressive feature is that the battery is modular, meaning additional storage capacity can be added in the future if needed.

The Installation Process

Installing such a large system took two full days.

The team from Resinc Solar removed our old solar system, installed the new panels on both the house and shed roofs, and mounted the inverter and battery stacks.

Positioning the batteries required some thought.

Normally batteries are installed near the main power meter, but in our case there wasn’t enough space and the area received direct sunlight for much of the day.

Instead we chose a sheltered location that keeps the batteries protected from heat and weather.

The installation team worked like a well-coordinated unit — it honestly reminded me of my army days watching a professional team operating together efficiently.

Four Months Later — The Results

So how has the system performed in real life?

Four months after installation, the results are very encouraging.

Our electricity bill for November, December and January was $541.80 for the entire quarter.

That works out to roughly $180 per month.

Previously, our bill for that same quarter was typically over $2,000.

Even with a low feed-in tariff of 3 cents per kWh, we still received over $116 in export credits for sending power back to the grid.

Most impressively, our grid electricity usage dropped by 81.7% compared to the same period last year.

Blackouts Are No Longer a Problem

Since installing the system we’ve already experienced several power outages in our area.

The difference now is that we often don’t even notice them.

Because our system is set to operate on battery mode, if the grid power goes down the house continues running without interruption.

Our computers, appliances, and lights all stay on.

In fact, during one outage our house was the only one on the street with the lights still on.

Are We Completely Off-Grid?

Not quite.

During the cooler months when we don’t use air conditioning heavily, the system will likely run our home almost entirely without grid electricity.

However, during summer when our ducted air conditioning runs overnight, the battery can drop to low levels by early morning.

When that happens the house automatically switches back to grid power until the sun rises and the solar panels begin charging the battery again.

Typically our battery reaches 100% charge by around 11 AM each day.

Even on cloudy days the system still generates enough power to keep the house running and recharge the battery.

So while we’re not totally off-grid, we are very close to being energy self-sufficient.

If you’re interested in becoming more self-sufficient at home, you might also enjoy my book 100 Top Crops You Can Grow, which focuses on producing your own food.

Link: https://www.briobooks.store/products/100-top-crops-you-can-grow

Considering Solar for Your Home?

If you’re thinking about installing solar or battery storage, the best first step is to get a custom energy assessment based on your home and electricity usage.

Resinc Solar is offering Self Sufficient Me viewers a free custom solar and battery proposal.

👉 Get your free assessment here:
https://resinc.com.au/selfsufficientme/

This includes:

  • A custom solar design for your home
  • Estimated energy savings
  • Current rebate information
  • Expert advice with no obligation

Final Thoughts

Even if the system ended up costing roughly the same as paying electricity bills over time, I would still prefer generating my own power rather than paying inflated prices to utility companies.

The energy independence and blackout protection alone have been worth it.

And the strange thing now?

I actually look forward to seeing my electricity bill.

Frequently Asked Questions About Solar & Battery Systems

How long does a solar battery system last?

Most modern solar panels last 25 years or more, while batteries typically last 10–15 years depending on usage.

How much solar do you need to run a house in Australia?

It depends on energy use, but most homes install 6–13kW systems. Our system is larger because we run a business from home and use a lot of air conditioning.

Do solar batteries work during blackouts?

Yes — if your system is designed with backup capability, the battery can power your home when the grid goes down.

Is solar worth it in Australia?

For many homes solar can pay for itself within 3–6 years, depending on electricity prices and system size.