Backstory – chipping away on our emissions

When we had to replace our roof, it was time to rethink our old solar panels, which were only 250 W per panel when we installed them 10 years ago. We have single-phase electricity and no natural gas, so the plan was clear:

• New solar (to increase our solar production) and a battery
• An electric vehicle to replace our petrol car

The aim: 100% renewable energy for both scope 1 stationary use (direct household emissions) and transport emissions.

Going to market – solar and battery

Here’s how the process unfolded. Our first step was to go to our electricity retailer. They used to install solar themselves, but no longer did, so they gave us three recommendations. (I can’t remember whether those names came directly from them or via SolarQuotes.) We contacted them, compared quotes, read reviews, and eventually chose one we thought we could trust.

Each company used mapping and solar modelling apps to look up our address, check our electricity bills, and propose a system for our needs. The difference between providers was striking. Some took time to explain options; others just sent a proposal with little context.

Our site has a complication: the only unshaded roof space faces north-east. Every company told us the battery could only be installed on the north-facing wall – right where our washing line is. We weren’t convinced, and we worried about the battery being exposed to full sun, but we were told there was no alternative.

After we signed up, things started to unravel. The company removed our old panels and then stalled. Communication was poor, and they showed little interest in helping us find a better battery location. Eventually, we pulled the plug and went back to the market via SolarQuotes  (all Clean Energy Council-accredited installers).

That’s when we found Blue Tech Solar, a small family-owned business. From the start, the experience was different. The salesperson walked us through every detail. Her husband came to inspect the site and spent time considering solutions. When we explained the washing-line problem, he suggested the far south wall – a harder job for his crew but a much better outcome for us. He embraced the challenge instead of avoiding it.

We chose 20 Trina solar panels rated at 440 W each (8.8kW), paired with a 16.3 kWh Sungrow battery and a Sungrow inverter and EV charger, so everything integrates in one app. We also made use of the new federal battery subsidy, which gives households, businesses and community organisations around a 30% discount on the upfront cost of installing small-scale battery systems (5 kWh to 100 kWh). This made a real difference to the affordability of the system (minus $5,328 for the STCs for the battery – in addition to the STCs for the solar) and is worth exploring for anyone considering a battery.

Blue Tech also helped with the EV charger, even digging a trench from the switchboard to the carport. They were professional, listened to our concerns, and simply got on with the job.

Lesson learned: don’t settle if the first installer says “this is the only way.” Keep looking until you find someone willing to design for you, not just for their own convenience.

Going to market – electric vehicle

A few years ago, when I interviewed Saul Griffith for our podcast, he said something that stuck with me: everyone who can afford an electric vehicle should buy one. There are no excuses.

There isn’t a mature second-hand EV market yet, so we looked at new models. We wanted:

• A user interface with real buttons, not just a touchscreen
• Space for a tall family
• Good reviews
• A design we liked

After much deliberation, we chose the BYD Sealion 7, a fully electric car, and used a novated lease to make the most of tax benefits. A quick side note – the FBT exemption can save a vehicle owner tens of thousands of dollars over several years. An article in the Australian Financial Review revealed that the exemption had been far more popular than the Treasury forecast, with 100,000 drivers taking out a novated lease, compared with an initial estimate of just 4,700.

When we picked up the car, the saleswoman turned it on and set the air con, so it would be cool when we drove off. My instinct was to turn it off – why run the car if we weren’t ready? Then it hit me: there are no tailpipe emissions. It’s a complete mind shift.

Rather than thinking in constraints – drive less to pollute less – it’s a shift to abundance. You can drive and stay comfortable with far less impact. Of course, batteries have their own footprint, from mining to manufacturing, but charging from renewable electricity dramatically cuts lifetime emissions compared with petrol or diesel.

Owning an EV quickly changed the way we think about transport.

Now, when I feel like driving half an hour to the beach, I just do it, knowing that I won’t cause an additional impact to the environment doing so.

Reflections on the new solar and battery system

With the Sungrow app, I can finally see what’s happening in real time (our old app wasn’t anywhere near as good). Power from the panels first meets the house load, then charges the battery. At sunset, power flows from the battery to the house all night. In the morning, there’s usually enough left to bridge the gap until solar kicks in again.

Critical circuits – fridge, living area lights, our study – are backed up for blackouts, which are likely to become more common with climate change. I remember during the last blackout, I had to drive to the next suburb that still had electricity to run a client workshop with their executive committee from my car. Never again. With the battery backup, I can keep working from home and keep essentials running without stress.

Most days, we draw no power from the grid, which is so satisfying to watch in the app! I completely underestimated the emotional component of the installation – it’s not just the emissions reduction and financial benefit, it’s also how I feel about it. Now, we do everything we can to avoid using electricity from the grid by timing when we run our devices. This means running appliances during sunshine hours wherever possible, and staggering their use – for example, running the washing machine first, then the dishwasher.

Originally, we optimised our solar and battery system based on available roof space and return on investment, but in hindsight, it may have been better to install an even larger battery, so that we are even less dependent on the grid. It’s good to know though that any top-ups from the grid are from 100% renewable electricity.

Reflections on driving electric

Driving an EV is a completely different experience to driving an internal combustion vehicle.

• You press the start button, and it’s hard to believe the car is ready, as there’s no noise
• The instant torque is wild. There’s no warming up, even on the incline out of our driveway
• Acceleration is smooth and even
• Sitting in the car with the air con and music on while waiting feels carefree
• There’s no oil to change and nothing to service under the hood, just extra storage in the frunk
• Handling is sharper thanks to the low centre of gravity of the battery

And the best part: we charge at home from 100% renewable energy, without ever visiting a servo or putting toxic stuff into a tank to burn.

We are now fully renewable for both our stationary and our own transport needs. For the remaining scope 3 emissions, such as flights, we buy carbon credits.

Looking back and ahead

Driving my electric car and coming home to be greeted by solar panels feels like the future is here.

This journey – from upgrading our home to buying an EV – has been empowering. It proves that electric is not just the future, it’s the present.

And it’s not just happening in our household. A big global shift is underway. At a recent UN climate discussion, China signalled a major move towards renewables and electrification, while the United States took steps in the opposite direction. I know who will win in the long run – the momentum is with clean electricity and electric transport. I know which side of history I want to be on.

Of course, not every household can take these steps right now. Affordability matters. Support programs like the Commonwealth Government’s battery subsidy, which provides around a 30% discount on small-scale battery systems (5 kWh to 100 kWh), help make the transition easier. But policy, industry and community support must go further to make sure solar, batteries and EVs are accessible to everyone.

With clean energy, smart design, and persistence, we can live well, stay comfortable, and cut emissions to zero. This isn’t only for big companies or governments. It’s something households can choose and build today, and it’s something that society should help every household to access.

Every home that makes this shift sends a signal: the clean energy transition has already begun—and we can each be part of it now.

Take action

If you need help developing a climate transition strategy and action plan, or a climate risk assessment, contact us today to learn how we can support your transition. Reach out to  Barbara or Patrick for more information.

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