Don't Install a Battery Without knowing these 5 Things.

Your 2025 Guide to Buying Solar Batteries in Australia

With Labor’s re-election and the confirmation of the new national battery rebate scheme, 2025 is shaping up to be one of the best times to invest in solar storage.

But before jumping in, it’s worth remembering: batteries are just one piece of the energy puzzle. The real magic happens when they’re combined with smart load orchestration—where every part of your energy system works together.

Let’s take a walk through the solar battery journey—from beginners to advanced users—so you can choose what’s best for your home.

⚠️Don’t Install a Battery Without Knowing These 5 Things:

1. Is your current inverter compatible with battery storage? Not all inverters can support batteries, especially DC-coupled ones.
   

2. What’s your state’s DNSP (network) compliance requirement? Some systems may not be compliant with local DNSP regulations.
   

3. How do you plan to control loads like hot water or EV charging? Battery storage without load control may limit your savings.
   

4. Are you future-proofing your system for upgrades or expansions? Choosing a flexible, brand-agnostic solution pays off.
   

5. Is there a strategy behind how your system uses energy? Smart energy management ensures you don’t waste stored power.

Meet Lisa – Just Starting Out

Lisa’s just finished building her dream home and didn't have the budget for batteries but wanted to be ready for when she could afford it. She’s heard about the new rebates and figures now is the time.

Lisa learns:

• Choosing a hybrid inverter from day one means she can easily add a battery in the future.

• Going battery-ready helps her future-proof her system without blowing her budget.

• She can design her system to be compliant with her DNSP from the outset.
  

Her installer also introduces her to a smart energy management device—one that can help coordinate solar, battery, and household loads like hot water and EV charging. With the right setup, Lisa’s system knows when to heat water, when to store power, and when to sell it back to the grid. That’s load orchestration in action.

Meet Mike – Already Has Solar

Mike installed solar five years ago. Now he’s ready to add batteries. But there’s a catch—his inverter isn’t compatible with newer DC batteries.

Mike’s options:

1. Add an AC-coupled battery like an Alpha ESS system.

2. Upgrade his inverter to a hybrid and connect a DC battery..

3. Upgrade his inverter to a hybrid and connect a DC battery.
   

He goes with option 1, which works well allowing him to keep his original system in place and simply add a battery.

Meet John – Expanding His System

John has recently added a second solar system. His original system uses a Fronius Primo inverter, while the new addition runs a Sigenergy hybrid system. The challenge? The two inverters aren’t natively compatible and can’t communicate directly.

Instead of removing the old system, John’s installer integrates both into a single control platform using a brand-agnostic energy management solution, like CATCH Control. Now, all solar generation, battery charging, and controlled loads are coordinated across both systems—regardless of inverter brand. For John, that means less complexity, fewer apps, and more control over his entire system.

AC vs DC – What’s the Difference?

AC-Coupled Batteries:

• Great for retrofits

• Easy to install

• Connect independently of your solar inverter
  

DC-Coupled Batteries:

• More efficient (less conversion loss)

• Require a hybrid inverter

• Ideal for new systems or full upgrades
  

The right choice depends on what you already have—and how far ahead you’re planning.

But What About Load Control?

This is where many systems fall short. Batteries alone can store energy, but they don’t decide how and when your home should use it.

That’s where load orchestration comes in. Smart controllers can act as the brain of your system, determining:

• When large loads run

• How to avoid draining your battery too quickly

• How to respond to dynamic pricing or grid signals
  

CATCH Control offers advanced energy management that allows for exclusion zones, which help prevent non-essential or high-draw appliances (like pool heaters, hot water systems or EV chargers) from using battery power and draining the battery too soon.

With smart load orchestration, your battery isn’t just storing energy—it’s strategically managing it. Final Thoughts – Building a Smarter Solar System

Batteries are powerful—but they’re just part of the picture. True energy independence comes from a system that:

• Stores excess solar

• Manages when and how you use power

• Communicates with the grid

• And adapts as new technologies and tariffs roll out
  

Whether you’re like Lisa, just starting out, Mike, adding to an existing system, or John, expanding across multiple brands—make sure your setup includes CATCH Control for a truly future proof solution.