Customer Interview: Michael Conway, Homeowner (Sutherland Shire, NSW)
System Installed: 45 x Jinko 440W Panels | Sigenergy 15kW Inverter | SigenStor solar battery
What made you look into solar and battery?
I’ve been living in Loftus in the Sutherland Shire for around 20 years. I actually had a solar setup for about 10 years. It was starting to get a bit old. I wasn’t really putting that much energy back into the grid anymore. We got to a point where we were using all the power that the solar panels that we had before were generating. So, our bills were actually quite high.
What made you go with Think Renewable?
Ultimately went with Think Renewable because I looked at some of the reviews online and found them to be very positive. I sat down with the two salesmen, and they answered all my questions. They were able to show me all the benefits of the panels and the batteries that they were proposing.
Which solar battery did you end up going with?
Ended up going with a Sigenergy SigenStor. The consultant recommended this one mainly because it addressed our needs. It was modular, also, so we could expand later if we wanted to, without having to put in a whole second battery. I was most impressed with the fire safety features. It has built-in fire extinguishers and tons of sensors and things like that. The other good thing with the SigenStor battery is the mobile app. It shows in detail where the power’s going, what comes in through the solar, what goes into the battery, and what goes out to the grid. It’s a good way of seeing basically how everything’s working.
What impact have you seen on your energy bills since getting solar and a battery?
Before we put the new system in, we’re seeing bills of around $550 to $650 a month. After we’ve put the system in, we’re seeing closer to zero. We’re off-grid. What’s being collected by the solar and the battery is basically addressing all our needs.
How was your experience throughout the process with Think Renewable?
We signed up, and within a couple of weeks, we had contractors on site, and they managed to take my old panels off, put the new panels in, install the battery, and do all the testing all in one day. We’re sorting out the finances to pay the system off over the next 5 years. Everything was basically sorted out by Think. It was very easy for me to sign up, give all the information and get approval straight away.
What would you say to someone considering solar and a battery?
I can definitely recommend getting solar panels and a solar battery. Having the battery particularly means that in the times when the solar’s not able to meet our needs, the battery will take over. It’s great to have the blackout protection as well. Also, we can not worry about rising energy costs. We’re pretty much covered by the battery and the solar. I can recommend Think Renewable. The process has been very easy from start to finish.
