Where do you service?

We are based in Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast and service the entire Gold Coast, Tweed Heads, Northern NSW, Brisbane, Ipswich, and the Scenic Rim. For specialist off-grid projects, we regularly travel further afield — just get in touch and we will let you know if we can help.

Are you accredited and fully licensed?

Yes. Steven Hord is a licensed Master Electrician and an SAA-accredited solar installer, and Evolved Solar is a New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC) Approved Seller. SAA accreditation is what lets us apply the federal rebates on your behalf. Being a Master Electrician means all electrical work — including switchboard connections and grid tie-in — is completed in-house by our own qualified team, not subcontracted. This matters for safety, warranty, and accountability.

What is the difference between a solar installer and a solar electrician?

A solar installer is accredited to design and mount solar systems. A solar electrician holds a full electrical contractor licence and can legally carry out the grid connection, switchboard work, and all associated electrical tasks. Many solar companies subcontract the electrical work to a third party. At Evolved Solar, Steven Hord is both an SAA-accredited installer and a licensed Master Electrician, meaning the same team handles every part of your installation. This keeps accountability clear and eliminates the gaps that arise when two separate businesses share a job.

How long have you been in business?

Evolved Solar & Electrical was founded by Steven Hord in 2016. We have been installing solar and battery systems on the Gold Coast for nearly a decade, which means we have seen how systems perform over time — not just at installation. That long-term perspective shapes how we design and spec every system we install.

How long does the installation process take from quote to switch-on?

Typically 2 to 4 weeks from the time you approve your quote. That window covers stock procurement, Energex grid connection approval, and scheduling our installation team. The installation itself takes one day for a standard residential solar and battery system. The installation day itself usually takes 1 day for a standard residential system.

What is the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program and how does it work on the Gold Coast?

The Cheaper Home Batteries Program is a federal discount on eligible battery installations. It works through the same certificate scheme as the solar rebate, so the discount comes off your price at the point of sale and there is no paperwork for you. The amount depends on how much solar and battery you install. As a guide, our customers save between $6,000 and $12,000 off the upfront cost, as at October 2026. To qualify, the battery must be installed by an installer accredited by Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA), using CEC-approved products. Evolved Solar is SAA-accredited and applies the rebate on every eligible installation. Every price we quote is what you pay after the rebate.

What size solar system do I need for a Gold Coast home?

For a typical Gold Coast household using 20 to 25 kWh per day, a 6.6 kW to 10 kW solar system is a common starting point. The right size depends on your daytime usage patterns, roof orientation and available space, whether you are planning to add a battery now or later, and whether you have an EV or pool pump that can be timed to run during solar generation hours. We assess all of these factors before recommending a system size — we do not use a one-size formula.

Can I add a battery to my existing solar system?

In most cases, yes. The main considerations are whether your existing inverter is battery-ready or compatible with a battery retrofit, the age and condition of your current system, and your switchboard's capacity. We assess existing systems before recommending a battery addition and will tell you honestly if a retrofit is not worthwhile. In some cases, replacing an ageing inverter as part of the battery upgrade is the better long-term option.

What battery brands do you install?

Every battery system we install is Sigenergy. We use Sigenergy's Gateway, which gives you full home backup, and the same system can run on the grid as a hybrid now and go fully off grid later if you want to. Every Sigenergy battery package includes 12 months of Energy Pilot. Energy Pilot monitors how you use your battery, then advises you on the best current retail or VPP deal and can set it up for you. Energy Pilot has no affiliation with any of those companies.

How do I monitor my solar system after installation?

We set every customer up with a smart monitoring app connected to their inverter. This lets you see in real time how much energy your panels are generating, how much you are using, and how much is going to or coming from the grid. If we install a consumption meter — which we strongly recommend — you can also track your household's total energy usage patterns. We walk you through the app on installation day and are available if you have questions afterwards.

Do solar panels need cleaning on the Gold Coast?

The Gold Coast's regular rainfall means panels installed at a standard pitch of 10 degrees or more are largely self-cleaning under normal conditions. If you have significant tree coverage, live near a construction site, or notice bird droppings accumulating, a professional clean every 12 to 18 months will protect your system's output. We can advise on cleaning services if needed.

Do I need a switchboard upgrade to install solar or a battery?

Not always, but often. Older switchboards — particularly those with ceramic fuses rather than circuit breakers — are generally not compatible with modern solar inverters and must be upgraded before installation can proceed. Even newer switchboards sometimes lack the spare capacity or correct configuration for a battery system. We assess your switchboard as part of every site visit and include any required upgrade in your quote upfront, so there are no surprises on installation day.

How much does a switchboard upgrade cost on the Gold Coast?

It depends on the board you have now. Every battery we install uses Sigenergy's Gateway for full home backup, so the whole installation must meet the current battery standards. That means correctly sized circuit breakers on the mains and sub-mains, and Type A RCBOs with pulsating DC protection on every circuit. We include any upgrade this needs in your battery quote once we have seen a photo or two of your switchboard. For a switchboard upgrade on its own, we provide a fixed-price quote before any work begins.

Can any electrician do a switchboard upgrade for solar?

A licensed electrical contractor can carry out a switchboard upgrade, but for solar installations specifically, the work needs to be coordinated with the solar system design and Energex grid connection requirements. Having the same team handle both the solar installation and the switchboard upgrade — as we do at Evolved Solar — avoids the miscommunication and liability gaps that arise when two separate trades share a job.

What is the difference between off-grid and hybrid solar?

A hybrid solar system generates power from solar panels, stores excess energy in a battery, and remains connected to the electricity grid as a backup. It is the right choice for most suburban Gold Coast homes. An off-grid system is completely disconnected from the grid — it relies entirely on solar and battery storage, often with a generator backup, to meet all of a property's energy needs. Off-grid systems are typically suited to rural properties, remote acreage, or locations where connecting to the grid is cost-prohibitive. We design and install both, and we will recommend the right configuration for your situation.

What finance options are available for solar and battery systems?

We work with Brighte, a specialist green finance provider that offers loans for solar and battery installations. Brighte offers competitive rates with terms that can align repayments with your expected energy bill savings. Finance is available for solar-only, battery-only, and combined installations. We present the options and let you decide — we do not push finance as a default.

What warranties come with a solar or battery installation from Evolved Solar?

Your installation comes with two types of warranty. The product warranty comes from the manufacturer and covers the equipment itself — typically 10 years for inverters, 10 to 12 years for batteries, and 25 years for solar panels. The workmanship warranty is our promise to you and covers the installation — the cabling, mounting, switchboard connections, and electrical work. If anything we installed fails due to our workmanship, we fix it at no cost. We stand behind every job we complete.

Do I need to be home on installation day?

Ideally yes, at least for the start and end of the day. We need access to your switchboard, which is often inside or in a locked area, and we want to walk you through the monitoring app and system shutdown procedure once the job is done. If being home all day is not possible, we can work around your schedule — just let us know when you book.

Is a Solar Battery Worth It on the Gold Coast?

Apr 14

Written By Steven Hord

Often, yes. A battery is most worth it on the Gold Coast when your home exports a lot of solar and buys power in the evening. It is also worth a closer look if your area has frequent blackouts, because a battery can keep key circuits running when the grid is down.

Your bill and your daily use decide the answer. Our solar batteries and hybrid systems page explains how a battery fits into a home system. This post shows you how to test the answer for your own home.

Solar electrician installing panels on Gold Coast home roof

Key Points

A battery saves money by storing solar you would otherwise export at a low rate.
The rule of thumb is that a power bill above about $300 a month is often where solar and batteries start to pay.
Standard solar stops when the grid goes down, but a battery with a backup circuit can keep key circuits running.
The price for a battery added to existing solar starts at $16,000, after the rebate.
The Cheaper Home Batteries Program offers around 30% off eligible batteries until it closes on 31 December 2030.
A written model from your installer, using your own bills, is the best test of the answer.

Start with your bill and daily use

A battery saves money by storing solar you would otherwise export at a low rate, then using it in the evening.

Check two things on your bill. One is the rate you earn for exports. The other is the rate you pay for power after dark. Your inverter app shows how much you export and buy in the evening. The smaller of those two figures limits the benefit.

Steven Hord's rule of thumb is that a home with a power bill above about $300 a month is often where solar and batteries start to pay. That is a guide, not a promise. Your own figures decide it.

When is a battery not worth it?

If most of your solar is used during the day, a battery has little to store. If nobody is home in the evening, there is little to offset.

If your retailer pays a high export rate in the evening peak window, compare that rate with what the battery saves before you decide.

Our guide to the Queensland solar feed-in tariff explains the export rates in more detail.

How do blackouts change the sum?

Standard solar stops when the grid goes down, for safety reasons. A battery with a backup circuit can keep your fridge, internet and lights running.

Steven's view is that if your area has frequent blackouts, solar and batteries generally make sense for backup, even when the savings are smaller. We size a backup circuit around the loads you need.

A real example

At Molendinar, we kept an existing 10.45 kW solar system and added a 32 kWh battery. That was a retrofit, so the existing panels stayed.

Whether your inverter works with a battery depends on its age and design. We check that on site before any quote.

What does a battery cost?

These are Steven Hord's prices, after the rebate:

Battery only: $16,000 to $30,000.
Solar and battery: $22,000 to $45,000.
Two batteries, up to 108 kWh: $60,000 to $90,000.

Five things change the price: single, dual or three phase power; a tin or tile roof; the number of storeys; site access; and whether we trench or run overhead mains. Prices are current as at October 2026.

What does the rebate offer?

The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program offers households and businesses around 30% off batteries from 5 kWh to 100 kWh. The battery must be connected to new or existing solar.

The discount falls gradually and the program closes on 31 December 2030. Check the official program page on the day you decide. Our Queensland solar battery rebate guide explains how the program works in more depth.

How to test your own numbers

Pull your last 12 months of power bills. Note your evening usage rate and your export rate.

Ask your installer for a written model of the battery against those numbers. Then compare the model with the quote price. That comparison answers the question for your home.

Does a battery need a switchboard upgrade?

A battery with full-home backup must meet the current standards. That can mean new circuit breakers and safety switches.

We check your switchboard on site, and any upgrade the battery needs is in the battery quote. Our switchboard upgrades and solar guide covers the board in more depth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a solar battery worth it on the Gold Coast?

Often, yes. A battery is most worth it when your home exports a lot of solar and buys power in the evening. Your own bills decide the answer.

What is the rule of thumb for a battery?

Steven Hord's rule of thumb is that a power bill above about $300 a month is often where solar and batteries start to pay. It is a guide, not a promise.

Does a battery keep my power on in a blackout?

Only if the system has a backup circuit. Standard solar stops when the grid goes down. A battery with a backup circuit can keep key circuits running.

Does the battery discount apply to businesses?

Yes. The Cheaper Home Batteries Program covers households and businesses, for batteries from 5 kWh to 100 kWh connected to new or existing solar.

Ready to test the answer for your home?

Send us your last 12 months of power bills, and we will show you what a battery could save. Get a quote at /get-a-quote, or call us on 1300 153 011.

Steven Hord

Steven Hord is the director of Evolved Solar and Electrical, a licensed Master Electrician and an SAA-accredited solar installer. He has installed solar, battery and off-grid systems across the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers.