Lifestyle solar + battery

Future-proofing a Stratford lifestyle property

A 17.6 kW three-phase solar system and 20 kWh battery — initially modelled at ~75% bill reduction, now proving closer to ~95% cover over 12 months. Exceeding expectation.

Christina & CJ Croydon Road, Stratford 2026

17.6 kW Solar

20 kWh Battery

40 × 440 W Panels

~75% Model

~95% Bill covered

01
Solar array

17.6 kW · 40 panels
02
Hybrid inverter

Sungrow SH15T 15 kW
03
Battery bank

20 kWh Sungrow SBH
04
Home & shed

Day + evening loads

Bill cover — model vs reality

Bill cover trajectory — conservative model vs what the solar + battery system is proving over 12 months.

Initial model 75%

Real-world (12 mo) ~95%

24,053 kWh/yr

Clean generation

Annual output from the shed array

95%

Bill covered

Proving closer to ~95% over 12 months (model was ~75%)

$8,550

Year-one savings

Real-world order of savings vs ~$9,000/year spend

20 kWh

Usable storage

Evening use + rural outage backup

THE BRIEF

The challenge

Every property uses electricity differently, so every Sinclair system starts with understanding how the customer uses energy — not simply fitting as many panels as possible.

For this project, our focus was on maximising self-consumption, not roof coverage. By combining a 17.6 kW solar array with 20 kWh of battery storage, excess solar generated during the day is stored and used through the evening, overnight and during periods of low solar production.

Instead of exporting valuable energy back to the grid for a relatively low return, the property uses more of its own solar when it matters most.

THE DESIGN

Our solution

When we modelled the system, we expected it to offset around 75% of the property's annual electricity costs. After almost 9 months of operation, the results have exceeded expectations, with the system on track to cover approximately 95% of the annual power bill.

The result wasn't achieved by installing more solar panels. It came from carefully matching the solar array, battery storage and inverter to the property's energy usage.

SIZING LOGIC

Why this design?

Rather than maximising roof fill, we matched capacity to real energy needs. The large battery bank stores excess daytime solar for evening use — so generation keeps working after the sun drops instead of exporting cheaply to the grid.

That storage is what takes a strong solar install into near-full bill cover: modelled around 75%, proving closer to ~95% over 12 months.

40 Trina Vertex S+ 440 W solar panels providing 17.6 kW of solar generation
15 kW Sungrow three-phase hybrid inverter balancing solar, battery and grid power
20 kWh Sungrow battery storage capturing surplus solar for use after sunset
Three-phase isolation, labelling, and monitoring handover
Cable routing and equipment placement for long-term serviceability

Sungrow hybrid inverter and battery storage install in the shed — Sungrow SH15T hybrid inverter, isolators, and 20 kWh SBH battery — bollard-protected for shed traffic.

ON SITE

The installation

One of the biggest advantages was the generous roof area on the new shed. With uninterrupted space, panels could sit in long, even rows — an exceptionally tidy finish that complements the building rather than dominating it.

Attention went to cable routing and equipment placement so the system performs well and looks right for years to come — including bollard protection for the battery in a working shed.

Aerial of Stratford shed roof solar array with Mount Taranaki — 40 × Trina Vertex S+ panels on the north-facing shed roof — clean rows, unobtrusive finish.

SITE REALITY

What the site demanded

Rising rural bills

Design had to earn its keep against ~$9,000/year electricity spend — not a green gesture.

Outage resilience

Battery sized for evening consumption and backup when the rural network drops out.

Future loads

Three-phase hybrid left ready for EV charging, workshop gear, or extra storage.

PROJECT SNAPSHOT

The numbers, in one place

Spec sheet for the Stratford lifestyle solar + battery install — capacity, hardware, and key outcomes.

Location: Croydon Road, Stratford
Solar capacity: 17.6 kW
Panels: 40 × Trina Vertex S+ 440 W
Inverter: Sungrow SH15T three-phase hybrid
Battery: 20 kWh Sungrow SBH
Est. annual generation: 24,053 kWh
Est. annual savings: Approx. $8,550
Initial model: ~75% bill cut
Bill covered (12 mo): ~95% — beating model

LOOKING AHEAD

Looking ahead

The three-phase hybrid platform is a foundation — not a dead end. Christina and CJ can add EV charging, workshop equipment, or further battery storage without redesigning the core system. Designed to keep delivering value for decades.

The results

About ~24,053 kWh of clean generation each year. Initial modelling pointed to roughly a 75% bill reduction — real-world performance is proving closer to ~95% cover over 12 months (~$8,550 first-year savings vs ~$9,000 spend), exceeding expectation — plus resilience when the grid goes down, and a shed roof array that looks as intentional as it performs.