A homeowner in Lockrose, Queensland already had solar panels installed, but the system wasn't covering enough of the household's daily energy use, and power bills had started creeping up again. With no battery in place, any unused solar power was simply exported back to the grid instead of being stored for later use in the evening or during an outage.
Rethink Green Energy carried out a free assessment and designed an extension that added 24 additional panels alongside a new 32kWh GoodWe battery system, giving the home more generation capacity and the ability to store and use its own power. The system was installed, tested and certified compliant in a single day, and set up as VPP capable from the start.
The homeowner already had solar panels installed at their Lockrose property, but the system was no longer covering enough of the household's daily energy use. Power bills had started climbing again, and because there was no battery in place, any solar power that wasn't used straight away was simply exported back to the grid instead of being stored for later.
The homeowner wanted two things from the upgrade. First, more panels to lift generation and bring the bills back down. Second, a battery big enough to store that extra power and keep the home running through the evening, and during any grid outage. There was also a time factor at play. The homeowner wanted the new battery to qualify for the current federal rebate, which meant the system needed to be sized and installed correctly the first time, with all the compliance paperwork done properly.
After a free, no obligation assessment of the property, our team confirmed the existing system had room to grow. We designed an extension using 24 additional 440W panels, positioned across the north, northwest and southwest sections of the roof to capture sun for most of the day rather than relying on a single orientation.
To handle the larger array and support the new battery, we paired the system with a GoodWe hybrid inverter rated at close to 10kW. Alongside it, we installed four GoodWe battery modules, giving the home 32kWh of usable storage. The battery was set up as VPP capable from day one, so the homeowner can choose to join a virtual power plant program down the track and earn additional value from the system without needing any extra hardware.
Every part of the design, from panel placement to inverter and battery sizing, was based on what the property and the household actually needed. No oversized components, and no upselling beyond what made sense for the home.
.jpg)
Installation took place on 1 June 2026. Our CEC accredited installer and designer carried out the panel extension and the first time battery installation in a single visit, then tested and commissioned the full system on the same day.
Once the work was complete, we issued a Queensland Certificate of Testing and Compliance confirming the 10.56kW array and battery installation had been tested and met all relevant wiring and safety standards. The system was connected to the grid and verified as generating power, with the battery confirmed as complete, storing and discharging electricity as intended.
We also handled the Small scale Technology Certificate assignment on the homeowner's behalf, securing an upfront rebate value equivalent to 228 certificates. That meant the homeowner didn't have to navigate the paperwork or wait to see the financial benefit of the upgrade.
.jpg)
This project is a good example of what's possible for homeowners who already have solar but want more from it. Rather than replacing a working system, extending it made the most of the existing investment while opening the door to battery storage and VPP participation, two things the original setup couldn't offer.
Timing mattered here too. Government incentives such as the federal battery rebate reduce in value over time, so households that act sooner get more out of the same investment. Getting the sizing, installation and compliance right the first time meant the homeowner could access that value without delays or rework.
Rethink Green Energy is a family owned solar business based in Queensland, servicing homes and businesses across South East Queensland and northern New South Wales. Every installation is backed by a 25 year workmanship warranty and carried out by CEC accredited installers, so homeowners know the work is covered long after the panels go up.
We size every system to what a property actually needs, not what makes the biggest sale. That approach, combined with $0 upfront options and ongoing aftercare including monitoring, maintenance and support, is why local homeowners keep coming back to us when it's time to expand their system or add a battery.
If your current solar system isn't keeping up with your household's energy use, or you're ready to add battery storage, our team can walk you through what's possible for your property. Book a free, no obligation assessment today and find out how much you could save.
We're your local green energy partners, deeply devoted to brightening our community with sustainable power solutions.
