October 5, 2026
The owner needed electricity for two accommodation properties with no grid supply available. The system had to support daytime and overnight use, not just generate power while the sun was out.
The brief called for solar panels, batteries and generator backup working together. Extended cloudy periods also required a reliable source of backup power when solar production could not keep up.
We built our off-grid solar installation around a ground-mounted array supported by driven piles. Underground electrical cabling connected the system, while the layout gave us space beneath the panels for the battery and associated electrical equipment.
We paired the array with solar battery storage to retain energy for overnight use and periods of low solar production. Generator integration formed part of the original design, rather than an afterthought.
Without a grid connection, the two Airbnbs had no mains supply to fall back on. We needed to account for cloudy weather as well as the possibility that the battery system might become unavailable.
We addressed those scenarios in different ways. The automatic-start generator supports the system during extended cloudy periods; a separate bypass arrangement allows generator power to supply the properties if the battery system shuts down. We also positioned the electrical equipment beneath the array to shelter it from direct sunlight and the weather. For more on sizing, generator backup and cost, read our guide to off grid solar in South Australia.
The ground-mounted solar array comprises 48 × 475W Jinko panels, giving a total solar capacity of 22.8kW. We combined this with 52kWh of battery storage and an 8kVA automatic-start generator.
A Sigenergy gateway and main switchboard bring the components together. The generator bypass adds an alternative supply path if the battery system becomes unavailable. Each element has a distinct role: the panels generate electricity, the batteries store it, and the generator provides additional support when needed.
