- SERVICING METRO & REGIONAL SOUTH AUSTRALIA
- OPEN: 07:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Terry Stevens
5 Days
Solar & Battery Storage Installation
Solar energy has revolutionised the way we think about powering our homes and businesses. By harnessing the power of the sun, households can take control of their energy consumption and reduce their dependence on traditional energy sources. With the right technology and a little know-how, households can optimise their energy usage and enjoy the numerous benefits solar brings. From reducing energy bills and increasing energy independence to protecting the environment and promoting sustainability, the potential benefits of solar energy are numerous. All that is required is the capability to fully utilise its potential.
Terry approached us with a unique challenge. He had recently installed a solar system in his home to reduce his energy costs and increase his energy independence. However, due to an outdated switchboard in his hallway, the metre readers were unable to accurately measure his energy consumption and he was not receiving the intended benefits from his solar investment. Frustrated with numerous failed attempts to find a reliable electrician, Terry was referred to Deionno Electrical & Solar by one of our valued clients.
We visited his home for a thorough site inspection and provided him with an upfront quote after carefully assessing his requirements. He instantly gave us a go-ahead so our team immediately got to work, upgrading his electrical service from a single-phase supply to a new 3-phase overhead supply, with a new metre board, switchgear, mains cabling, and sub mains cabling. We also rewired the front half of his early 1900s home with minimal downtime.
Impressed with our work, Terry sought our services for a 13.3kW solar addition to his existing 6.6kW of solar system with battery storage, along with the installation of an electric vehicle charger and 26.6kWh of battery storage from two Tesla Powerwall 2s.
We completed the work in a timely and efficient manner within the span of just five days, giving Terry and his family full independence from the grid and full backup capability, as well as putting them in credit with their energy retailers.
Since we understand that investing in clean energy can be a big decision and may require a significant upfront investment, we offer different financing options, allowing our clients to upgrade their homes with the latest in clean energy technology with no upfront costs. In the case of Terry, he was able to complete his solar upgrade, including the electric vehicle charger and battery storage, with full system finance and a $0 down payment. This made it possible for him to establish his energy independence and reduce his carbon footprint, without having to make a significant upfront investment.
We divided this off-grid solar installation project into 4 stages, each one designed to bring the best results while minimising disruption and inconvenience to Terry and his family.
Our first step in this project was to provide Terry with an accurate and detailed quote for the work. This was necessary since he already had a hard time finding a reliable electrician to undertake the work. We understand that trust is a crucial factor in these types of projects. As such, we wanted to ensure that Terry felt confident in our ability to complete the job to his satisfaction.
Once Terry agreed on the quote, we moved on to stage 2, which involved dealing with the switchboard and power upgrades. This stage incurred heavy administrative work and liaising with the local electricity distributor and metering retailers. Our goal was to ensure a smooth changeover and that everything satisfied current codes and industry regulations. On the day of the changeover, our team worked efficiently to restore power to the entire home, ensuring minimal downtime for Terry and his family.
With the power upgrades complete, we moved on to stage 3, which involved rewiring the older section of Terry’s home. The goal of this stage was to bring the lighting arrangements up to modern standards, replacing outdated cabling with newer, safer TPS cabling. With a professional game plan in place, 3 of our electricians worked in close coordination to complete a full sub-board upgrade in addition to the rewiring, all within a single day.
The final stage of the project involved the addition of a 13.3 kW solar system with Tesla battery storage and an electric vehicle charger. This stage was tackled a few months after the initial work due to some stock and approval issues. However, once the project was booked, our team completed the work in just five days, despite the challenges posed by the cold weather. The result was a fully upgraded, energy-independent home for Terry and his family.
Every solar or electrical project presents its own set of unique challenges, and this project was no exception. One of the main hurdles we had to overcome was coordinating with SA POWER and metering retailers to ensure a smooth and seamless transition for our client. Since SA POWER doesn’t provide the metering, this added an extra layer of complexity to the already challenging task of coordinating different elements of the upgrade. However, with careful planning and coordination, we were able to arrange everything on our own.
We worked with traffic controllers to ensure that the line crew could safely work on the street. We also arranged for a compliant switchboard and wiring for the SA POWER NETWORKS mechanic to connect to, and scheduled a metering technician to come directly after the mechanic to complete the connection. Throughout the process, we took all possible steps to minimise disruptions to Terry and ensured that his property was fully operational by the time he returned from work.
Another challenge we encountered was the remote location of the project. Terry’s home was situated far from the city and our suppliers, making it necessary for us to have fully stocked vans on hand. This ensured that we had all the necessary parts, equipment, and tools to complete the project without any delays. Despite these obstacles, we were able to deliver a successful project, earning our client’s satisfaction and securing their independence from the grid.
We take pride in delivering high-quality and impactful solar installations that make a difference in people’s lives. The key accomplishments of this project include:
We brought full energy independence to the client and helped them eliminate their power bills.
By offering full financing for the solar and battery systems, we helped our client save money from day one. The credits generated from the system not only provided financial relief but also covered the cost of the financing, demonstrating the true power and impact of renewable energy.
Since we had previously worked on this property, we were well aware of the limitations that could arise while wiring and protecting the power circuits for the wine fridges due to the hard-to-access location of the switchboard.
Here’s what Terry has to say about their experience with Joe and his team:
