KEY POINTS
- Connecting a solar battery to solar panels requires advanced electrical know-how and experience.
- Contact a licensed solar installer to connect them — we do not recommend attempting it yourself.
- Solar panels and batteries are also a very expensive investment — doing it yourself may result in permanent damage to them.
A solar system with a solar battery can be a financially savvy option if you have enough excess solar energy to store and consume, recouping the cost of your battery purchase.
However, to get the most out of your solar energy storage, a skilled connection to your solar system is required.
This Canstar Blue guide first outlines the steps for safely connecting a solar battery to your rooftop solar.
Note: Connecting solar panels to a battery requires advanced electrical knowledge. Because of the high risk, we strongly recommend calling in a professional solar installer instead of attempting a self-installation. Â
On this page, you’ll find:
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Connecting a solar battery with a professional solar installer
We strongly recommend calling a licensed solar installer. Connecting solar panels to a battery requires advanced knowledge and technical skills. Given that both your panels and battery cost thousands of dollars, you’ll want to make sure everything is done properly.
A professional installer can assess your home’s solar system, select an appropriate battery size and optimise the system for maximum efficiency.
Solar installers can also ensure everything is safe before connecting your solar panels to your battery. They’ll also use the correct wires, fuses and connectors to make sure your system is safe and operational.
They will then connect the battery to your existing solar PV system and ensure your panels and inverter are configured to work with it.
Steps to connect a solar battery to your solar panels
Connecting solar panels to a battery is not a simple plug-and-play process. Knowing the general process that solar installers typically follow could help you avoid pricey repairs and installation costs.
This is a general guide onlyÂ
Step 1: What is needed before connecting a solar batteryÂ
Before an installer proceeds with the connection, there are technical requirements that should be met:
- Solar battery: Choosing a solar battery that appropriately meets your energy goals (e.g. reduce your power bill or go off-grid) and budget is the most important step. Before purchasing a battery, these are the other questions you should ask your solar installer:
- Will the battery be compatible with my solar panels?
- What is the storage capacity of the battery and what is its output capacity?
- Does it have full or partial backup capabilities in the event of a blackout?
- What is the battery’s lifespan and will it require maintenance over time?
- How long will the installation process take and how much will it cost?
- How long is the manufacturing warranty?
- Solar panel positioning: To maximise solar generation, your solar panels should be mounted securely at the optimal angle and direction for maximum sunlight exposure.
- Compatible inverter: A solar inverter converts direct current (DC) power from your solar system, either your solar panels or battery, into alternating current (AC) for use at home. To connect a solar battery, your system must already have a battery or hybrid inverter installed.
- Charge controller: A charge controller regulates the flow of electricity from solar panels to a battery, shielding it from voltage swings and overcharging. While it is possible to bypass the purchase and connection of a charge controller, it is strongly recommended against.
- Correct wires and plugs: Ensure you have high-quality wires (e.g., high-grade copper cables) and plugs to maintain safe and secure connections.
- Fuses and circuit breakers: A fuse severs the connection between two components if an excessive current surpasses its current rating in amperes (a). This is extremely important to prevent short circuits, possible damage to each solar component or electrical fires.
- Safety equipment: Protective gear such as safety gloves should be worn at all times.
If you’d like to learn more about solar batteries, we recommend visiting Canstar Blue’s guides below:
- Everything you need to know about solar batteries
- Best solar battery storage in Australia 2025
- What is the cheapest solar battery in Australia
- Best solar battery companies
Step 2: Find a suitable location to install your charge controller
The installation site should be closest to your solar battery, free from moisture and heat to avoid water damage or overheating.
The charge controller can then be mounted or fastened to a non-flammable surface with enough space around it for optimal airflow.
Step 3: Connect your solar battery to the charge controller
Note: Please make sure that both the solar battery and charge controller are turned off before attempting this step.Â
Connect the battery to the controller using high-quality cables and plugs. The length of the cable between them should be kept as short as possible, minimising heat loss through voltage drops.
The positive (+) and negative (–) terminals should also be correctly aligned to avoid reverse polarity damage or short circuiting.
Most importantly, this connection should be appropriately fused to protect either component from being overloaded.
According to Renogy, a rule of thumb is to ensure that the fuse’s amperage is 1.25 times the maximum output of the controller, which can be found in its instruction manual or packaging.
Always be sure to follow the battery and controller’s respective instruction manuals carefully.
Step 3: Test your charge controller
There are two types of charge controllers — Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) and Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT).
Typically, the latter is more popular due to its ability to convert up to 30% more excess voltage into usable energy. Keep in mind that MPPT controllers are more expensive for that reason.
If you are using an MPPT charge controller with an LCD screen, you can simply turn it on and monitor if the controller is functioning through its screen.
Your manufacturer’s instruction manual should always be the source of truth.
Step 4: Connect your charge controller to your solar panels
Note: Please make sure your solar panels are turned off before proceeding with this step.Â
Please refer to the instructions for specific wiring requirements, which can vary between different controller and panel setups.
Typically, however, this step involves connecting the charge controller to your PV solar system, with both positive and negative terminals correctly aligned.
Like step 2, the connection between both sides must be fused correctly with an appropriate amperage. In this situation, the fuse’s amperage should, at a minimum, be 1.25 times your solar panel array’s short-circuit current (ISC).
A solar panel’s ISC can typically be found on the manufacturer’s specification sheets for that make and model of solar panel or directly under the panel itself as a label.
Contact a solar installer today
Connecting solar panels to a battery requires technical skills and caution. Given both your panels and a solar battery cost thousands of dollars, you’ll want to make sure everything is done properly to avoid any costly errors.
There’s also the safety angle we’ve discussed. Playing with electricity is never a good idea if you don’t know what you’re doing. Take the guesswork out of the equation and get in contact with an expert solar installer.
Compare solar electricity plans
If you are still uncertain about solar batteries, you could still save on your power bills on an energy plan with a high solar feed-in tariff (FiT). Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific plans in each state:
Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 3900kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 4600kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on SA Power network in Adelaide but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Image credit: NOWRA photography/Shutterstock.com
Original reporting by Jared Mullane
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