Learn - Oaken Energy

Start here · 4 min read

Choosing your solar and battery setup

Four decisions, in this order. Each one makes the next easier.

Start with your bills

Before anyone talks panels or batteries, look at your electricity bills. How much power do you use, when do you use it, and what are you spending? That tells you whether solar is a viable option for your home, and what size system makes sense. At OAKEN it’s always our first step, and if the numbers don’t stack up, we’ll say so.
Get a proper look at your home

Next comes a consultation, in your home or remotely. We talk through your goals and check the things that are easy to skip but expensive to get wrong:
- Your main switchboard (MSB). Is there space for solar and a battery? What backup options are possible? Will it need an upgrade?
- Your battery location. Batteries have strict placement rules under Australian Standards. We find a spot that’s compliant and practical for how you use your home.
Choose the products

The right products depend on what you’re looking for (savings, backup, independence), the space you have and your budget. There’s no single “best” brand for everyone. We don’t sell every brand, because we couldn’t recommend them in good conscience. We work with the brands and products that best match your needs, and explain why each one suits you.
Choose the company

Often the hardest part. Look for a company that:
- educates you, rather than rushing you
- doesn’t pressure you with limited-time offers
- answers every question honestly, including “is this worth it for me?”
- lets you make the decision
- stands by to support you, before and after install

That's the company we work hard to be.

Understand · 3 min read · Interactive

How solar and batteries actually work

Pick a time of day and watch where your power comes from.

Solar panels turn sunlight into DC electricity. An inverter converts it to the AC power your home uses. Your home uses solar power first; any surplus either charges a battery or flows to the grid, where your retailer may pay you a feed-in credit. At night, or when panels can’t keep up, you draw from the battery or the grid.

Key point

Solar saves you the most when you use the power yourself, because what you avoid buying is usually worth more than what you're paid to export. That's why your daily routine matters as much as the system size.

Understand · 3 min read · Self-check

Do I need a battery?

Answer four quick questions. It's a starting point, not a quote.

Do you export a lot of solar during the day, then buy a lot of power in the evening?

Are you on a time-of-use tariff with expensive evening rates?

Does backup during a blackout matter to you?

Would rebates bring the cost down enough to matter for your budget?

Answer the questions to see your result.

A battery may not make sense yet if your evening usage is low, your solar system is small, or you’d only be storing power you’d otherwise use anyway. The honest answer depends on your data, which is why we model it for your home before recommending one.

Buy · 3 min read · Checklist

How to read a solar and battery quote

Have a quote in front of you? Tick off what it includes.

Exact brand and model of panels, inverter and battery, not just "tier 1" System size in kW (solar) and usable kWh (battery) Every discount (STCs, battery rebate, state incentives) as a separate line What's excluded, such as switchboard upgrades or extra roof work Warranties: product, performance and workmanship, with who backs each one Expected generation and how it was estimated Who installs it: in-house team or subcontractor

0 / 7Tick each item your quote includes.

Red flags

A price with no component details
Pressure to sign today
Savings promises without stated assumptions

Buy · 4 min read

10 questions to ask any installer, including us

Tap a question to see why it matters.

01Who will actually install the system, and are they SAA-accredited?

Accreditation means the installer works to Australian standards, and it's needed for your system to qualify for STC discounts.

02Why did you choose these specific panels and this inverter for my roof?

A good answer is about your roof, usage and goals. A vague answer suggests a standard package.

03How did you size the system? What usage data did you use?

Sizing should come from your real bills, not a typical household.

04Did you check shading on site, or from satellite images only?

Satellite images can miss trees, chimneys and neighbouring buildings that shade your panels.

05Does my switchboard need an upgrade, and is that in the price?

Switchboard work is one of the most common costs that appears after you've signed.

06What happens if a component fails in year 7: who do I call?

You want a clear path for warranty claims, and a company that will still answer the phone.

07What's your workmanship warranty, in writing?

Product warranties cover the hardware. The workmanship warranty covers how it was installed.

08How long have you been operating, and can I see local reviews?

A track record in your area tells you more than a sales pitch.

09What will my system realistically save, and what assumptions is that based on?

Savings estimates depend on usage, tariffs and export rates. Ask to see them.

10Can I take this quote away and compare it?

If the answer is no, or the price only holds today, treat that as a warning sign.

10 questions to ask any solar and battery installer
1. Who will actually install the system, and are they SAA-accredited?
2. Why did you choose these specific panels and this inverter for my roof?
3. How did you size the system? What usage data did you use?
4. Did you check shading on site, or from satellite images only?
5. Does my switchboard need an upgrade, and is that in the price?
6. What happens if a component fails in year 7: who do I call?
7. What's your workmanship warranty, in writing?
8. How long have you been operating, and can I see local reviews?
9. What will my system realistically save, and what assumptions is that based on?
10. Can I take this quote away and compare it?

If an installer can't answer these clearly, that tells you something.

Buy · 4 min read · Quick check

Rebates, incentives and loans

Three ways the cost can come down. Apply them in this order.

1

Solar (STCs)

Most solar systems are eligible for Small-scale Technology Certificates, which reduce the upfront price. This should appear as a discount line on your quote.

2

Battery discount

The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program provides an upfront discount on eligible battery installations. State incentives may also apply, depending on where you live.

3

State loans and incentives

Some states offer extra help. In NSW, for example, eligible households can apply for a zero-interest Home Energy Saver loan of up to $15,000 for solar and batteries.

NSW Home Energy Saver loan · quick check The property is in NSW and I own it (owner-occupier or landlord) I'm an Australian citizen or permanent resident Our combined taxable household income is up to $210,000 The upgrade is supplied by a NETCC Approved Seller and meets the program's product standards

Tick the criteria that apply to you.

Under the program, existing federal and NSW incentives must be applied before the loan, so the loan covers the remaining eligible cost. NSW is also introducing Home Energy Saver discounts of up to $4,000 for lower-income households; if eligible, it’s recommended to apply for the discount first.

Other states and territories run their own incentive and loan programs. Ask us what’s available where you live.

Useful to know

The program prohibits door-to-door sales and cold calling by suppliers. If someone knocks on your door offering this loan, be cautious.

Eligibility criteria apply. OAKEN Energy is not a credit provider. Loans are provided by NSW Government-approved Finance Providers and are subject to their assessment. Program details may change; check energy.nsw.gov.au/home-energy-saver.

Own · 2 min read

Getting the most from your system

Five habits that move more of your usage into solar hours.

A homeowner checking her solar monitoring app on her phone in the kitchen — Illustrative image

Middle of the day Run the big appliances
Dishwasher, washing machine and pool pump.
Solar hours Heat your hot water
If your system is on a timer, set it to heat during the day.
Daytime Charge the EV
Whenever you can, charge while the sun is up.
Monthly Check your monitoring app
A sudden drop in generation can signal a fault.
As needed Keep panels clear
Remove heavy debris. Rain does most of the cleaning.

	Typical volume installer	OAKEN
First step	A package and a price	Your bills: are solar and batteries viable for you?
Assessment	Satellite image, phone quote	In-home consult (or remote), switchboard and battery location checked
Products	Cheapest, to get a quick sale	Optimum, matched to your needs and budget
Sales approach	Urgency, limited-time offers	Education, honest answers, time to decide
After the sale	Hand-off to a call centre	The same team, standing by

Know what you're buying before anyone tries to sell it to you

Choosing your solar and battery setup

How solar and batteries actually work

Do I need a battery?

How to read a solar and battery quote

10 questions to ask any installer

Rebates, incentives and loans

Getting the most from your system

Choosing your solar and battery setup

Start with your bills

Get a proper look at your home

Choose the products

Choose the company

How solar and batteries actually work

Do I need a battery?

How to read a solar and battery quote

10 questions to ask any installer, including us

Rebates, incentives and loans

Solar (STCs)

Battery discount

State loans and incentives

Getting the most from your system

How OAKEN compares

Solar words, in plain English

Three questions. How did you go?

Still have questions?