10.56 kW AIKO Solar and a 40 kWh Sigenergy Battery in East Ballina: Case Study

Out with an old 20-panel system, in with 22 all-black AIKO panels, a 12 kW Sigenergy energy controller, a 40 kWh Sigenergy battery with five modules and a Sigenergy Gateway, for a home near the water in East Ballina.

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

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The brief, from the design

This East Ballina home already had an older 20-panel solar system. The new design went large on storage, with a Sigenergy Gateway for whole-home blackout backup: five battery modules, about 40 kWh, on a 12 kW controller. The old 20 panels came off and 22 new AIKO panels replaced them, so the roof could keep a battery that size topped up.

Fitting a tall battery inside the garage

The garage had a neat alcove just deep enough for the stack. Putting a battery inside a garage brings its own rules, so the job included a garage compliance pack: a smoke alarm and a protective bollard. The conduits run straight up the wall, and the battery safety signs sit beside the stack where anyone opening the garage will see them.

The system, part by part

• Solar: 22 all-black AIKO Neostar panels, 10.56 kW in total
• Energy controller: a 12 kW Sigenergy single-phase SigenStor controller
• Battery: five Sigenergy battery modules, about 40 kWh (40.3 kWh)
• Blackout backup: a Sigenergy Gateway with a generator input
• Smart load control: Shelly devices and a contactor so a big load like the hot water can run on spare solar
• Old system removal, monitoring and app training

On the roof

The tiled roof has several faces. The new all-black panels went on in straight rows on the upper faces, with the lake and trees behind. Before install day we were on site to agree the battery spot, check the switchboard and RCBOs, and settle what stays on in a blackout. After the install came monitoring set-up, grid connection and a sign-off call.

East Ballina homes and big batteries

Many East Ballina homes have a garage under the main roof, which is often the best place for a large battery: out of the sun and weather. If you live right on the beachfront, read solar batteries near the coast first, because the makers set rules for salt air. Other jobs nearby: a 27 kWh Sigenergy battery in East Ballina and a 32 kWh battery added to older solar 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

Can a battery go inside a garage?

Yes, when the garage meets the rules. The Australian battery standard sets what an inside install needs, such as a smoke alarm and protection where a car could hit the battery. This job included a garage compliance pack with both. See where a home battery can be installed.

Why a 12 kW controller with a 40 kWh battery?

A big battery is only useful if it can charge and discharge fast enough. The 12 kW Sigenergy controller lets this battery take in a lot of solar in the middle of the day and carry the bigger loads at night.

What happens to the old panels?

On this job the old 20-panel system came off the roof as part of the work. If an older system still has life, we can often keep it and tie it in instead. See adding to an existing system.

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 local solar installers 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.