About 13 kW of AIKO Solar and a 32 kWh Sigenergy Battery in East Ballina: Case Study

About 13 kW of all-black AIKO panels on a terracotta tile roof near the water, a 10 kW Sigenergy controller, a 32 kWh Sigenergy battery with four modules, a Sigenergy Gateway and smart load control, in East Ballina.

Our own in-house team designed and installed the system in March 2026.

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Solar and storage, both on the large side

This home sits near the water in East Ballina, with a terracotta tile roof and a covered area beside the house. The design paired a big array with a big battery: all-black AIKO panels across the roof (about 13 kW, as claimed for the job) and four Sigenergy battery modules, about 32 kWh, with a Gateway for whole-home blackout backup and a Shelly smart load controller to run the hot water on spare solar.

What we fitted

• Solar: all-black AIKO panels (480 W each), about 13 kW
• Energy controller: a 10 kW Sigenergy single-phase SigenStor controller
• Battery: four Sigenergy battery modules, about 32 kWh (32.24 kWh)
• Blackout backup: a Sigenergy Gateway with a generator input
• Shelly smart load controller for the hot water
• Protective bollard, monitoring and app training

Fitting it in

The SigenStor stands on its feet against a rendered wall under cover, beside timber screening, with a protective bollard at its corner. Up top, the panels run in long rows on the tile roof, with the water and a tall pine in view. After the install came monitoring set-up, grid connection and a sign-off call.

Batteries near the water

Many East Ballina homes sit near the river, the lakes or the beach. If yours is close to the surf, read solar batteries near the coast: the makers set rules for salt air, and we design around them. More nearby: a 24 kWh battery in an East Ballina alcove and AIKO solar over two roof types in East Ballina.

How every job like this runs

1. Free energy assessment from one or two recent power bills, or a quick phone call on 0483 903 020.

2. Custom design sized from the household’s real usage, with the federal Cheaper Home Batteries rebate and solar STCs taken off at point of sale. We handle the paperwork. See your rebates or try the battery rebate calculator.

3. Face-to-face site visit before install day: compliant battery position, switchboard and RCBO check, and agreement on what stays on in a blackout. No surprises on the day.

4. Install, usually one day, by our own electricians. No subcontractors. Then monitoring set-up, grid connection and a sign-off call.

Warranties

Every new install from us now comes with a 10-year battery warranty, 10-year inverter replacement, 25-year panel performance and our 25-year workmanship warranty on our installation work. Equipment is covered by the manufacturer warranties.

The federal battery rebate steps down on 1 January 2027 and again on 1 July 2027, based on install date. If a battery is on your list, it’s worth getting your assessment done early.

Questions we get asked

How much solar does a 32 kWh battery need?

Enough to fill it on a typical day after running the home. Here about 13 kW of panels pair with four battery modules. We size both from your bills. See battery sizing.

What does a Shelly smart load controller do?

It lets the Sigenergy system switch a big load such as the hot water on when there is spare solar, and shows what that load uses in the app.

Do panels suit terracotta tiles?

Yes. The rails fix to the rafters with tile hooks under the tiles, so the roof stays watertight. We check the tiles on the site visit.

What happens when the grid goes down?

The Sigenergy Gateway switches the home over to the battery and solar. A typical install backs up the whole home unless you ask us to leave circuits out. See blackout backup batteries.

Thinking about solar and a battery?

We’re based near Mullumbimby and install across the Northern Rivers. See solar and batteries in Ballina and Lennox Head, or compare Sigenergy, GoodWe and Sungrow, Solax and Tesla.

Get a free energy assessment · or call 0483 903 020

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More from Sun Connect Solar: your rebates; battery rebate calculator; customer reviews; FAQ; recent installs: 6.65 kW solar and 9 kWh Sigenergy battery, Mullumbimby · Solar and a 24 kWh Sigenergy battery, Mullumbimby area · 8.4 kW Jinko solar and 24 kWh Sigenergy battery, Ocean Shores · all recent installs.