At Specialized Solar & Electrical, we believe the best energy systems are designed around the way people actually live. For Jenny and Roy in Fairview Village, the goal was simple: reduce rising energy costs, improve comfort, and create a more resilient home ready for the future.
Two years later, their results speak for themselves.
A Smarter Way to Power the Home
In March 2023, Jenny and Roy made the decision to fully electrify their home. Their vision was to move away from gas, reduce reliance on the grid, and future-proof their lifestyle with a solar and battery system that could support everyday living and EV charging.
Specialized Solar & Electrical designed and installed a tailored energy solution featuring:
- 6.5kW REC Solar Panels
- Sungrow Inverter
- 9.6kWh Sungrow Battery
- Amber Wholesale Energy Tariff Integration
The system was commissioned on 22 August 2023 and designed specifically to align with their daytime energy usage, battery storage requirements, and growing EV charging needs.
The Challenge
Like many Australian households, Jenny and Roy were experiencing increasing electricity costs and wanted more control over their energy usage.
Before installing solar, their electricity bills averaged approximately $151.28 per month between June and August 2023. They also knew that transitioning to a fully electric home and charging an EV could significantly increase demand if the system was not designed properly.
Rather than installing a standard “off-the-shelf” system, they needed a solution that could:
- Support a fully electric household
- Handle EV charging efficiently
- Reduce exposure to peak energy pricing
- Improve resilience during outages
- Deliver predictable long-term savings
The Solution
Specialized Solar & Electrical developed a right-sized solar and battery system tailored to the household’s usage patterns and future plans.
The system was designed to:
- Capture daytime solar generation for household loads and EV charging
- Store excess solar energy for evening use
- Use Amber’s smart tariff automation to optimise charging and exporting
- Reduce grid reliance during peak pricing periods
- Remove the need for gas entirely
With battery automation in place, the system intelligently charges when energy prices are low and exports energy when pricing spikes occur.
The Results After 12 Months
The performance data from August 2024 to July 2025 delivered outstanding results.
~81% Lower Electricity Costs
Jenny and Roy reduced their average electricity costs from $151.28 per month down to just $28.88 per month.
That equates to:
- Approximately $0.95 per day in electricity costs
- Total yearly electricity costs of around $346.57
- 4 out of 12 months in credit with a negative power bill
Even more impressively, 10 of the 12 months remained under $100 despite the home being fully electric and charging an EV.
More Than Just Savings
While lower bills were a major goal, the benefits extended far beyond cost reduction.
Full Electrification Success
The household completely disconnected from gas, reducing gas usage by 100%.
EV Charging from Solar
An EV was added to the household in January 2025 and has been charged primarily using solar energy generated from the home.
Increased Energy Resilience
During a grid stress event, the battery system exported energy back into the grid through Amber, generating approximately $170 in just a few hours.
This highlights the growing value of smart battery systems in Australia’s evolving energy market.
A Simpler, Smarter Energy Experience
One of the most valuable outcomes for Jenny and Roy has been the simplicity of the system.
With automation handling battery charging and exporting, there is no need to manually manage energy usage throughout the day.
As the homeowners shared:
“We don’t have to do a thing. Our smart meter and Amber automatically top the battery up with cheap power so we can use it or sell it when peak prices occur. I don’t have to do a thing. We just enjoy watching the graphs and prices.”
Why System Design Matters
This project is a strong example of why thoughtful system design matters more than simply installing solar panels.
By considering:
- Household usage patterns
- Electrification plans
- EV charging behaviour
- Battery sizing
- Energy tariff strategy
- Future energy flexibility
Specialized Solar & Electrical was able to create a system that delivers long-term value, resilience, and measurable savings.
Thinking About Electrifying Your Home?
Whether you are considering solar, battery storage, EV charging, or full home electrification, every home requires a tailored approach.
At Specialized Solar & Electrical, we help households design smarter energy systems built around their lifestyle, goals, and future plans.
📞 03 9117 6185
🌐 specsolar.com.au
✉️ info@specsolar.com.au
