Case Study : Pasadena Solar and Whole-Home Backup Installation

The property presented almost every major challenge that can arise during a residential solar and battery installation: double-brick construction, a split-level layout, a high-pitched roof exceeding 22.5 degrees, glazed roof tiles, raked ceilings and a garage positioned diagonally across the property from the main electrical infrastructure.

Long cable routes, difficult roof access and changing weather conditions added further complexity. Despite this, our installation team completed the project with the majority of the cabling concealed, delivering a clean finish that respected the appearance of the home.

System Installed

• 28 × 475W LONGi LR7-54HVH solar panels
• 13.3kW total solar-panel capacity
• 1 × SigenStor EC 10.0 TP AU three-phase Energy Controller
• 3 × SigenStor BAT 10.0 battery modules
• Approximately 30kWh nominal battery capacity
• Approximately 27kWh usable battery capacity
• 1 × three-phase Sigenergy Gateway
• Full-house backup configuration
• Three-phase meter isolator
• Main-switchboard enclosure
• Bollard protection
• Concealed conduit and extended electrical cabling

Why Whole-Home Backup Was Important

The homeowners had recently welcomed a newborn baby. For this family, battery storage was not selected only to reduce electricity costs—it was also about keeping the home safe, comfortable and functional during an unexpected power outage.

With the three-phase Sigenergy Gateway, the system was designed to provide full-house backup rather than supplying only a small number of dedicated emergency circuits.

When operating within the system’s designed load limits, essential household services such as lighting, refrigeration, internet equipment and selected appliances can continue operating during a grid outage.

Sigenergy’s three-phase Energy Controller also supports unbalanced three-phase backup output. This is particularly useful in Australian homes because household loads are rarely distributed equally across all three phases.

The 10kW controller provides up to 10kW of rated backup output, with additional short-duration peak capacity to help manage the starting demand of certain appliances. Final backup performance will always depend on the appliances operating at the time and the available battery charge.

Why We Selected a 10kW Energy Controller

This is a larger household with multiple electrical appliances and the potential for increased future electricity consumption.

A smaller controller could restrict how much stored energy the home can use at one time—particularly when several appliances are operating simultaneously or when the system is running in backup mode.

The 10kW three-phase controller gives the household greater flexibility to:
• Supply higher simultaneous household loads
• Make better use of the 13.3kW solar array
• Charge the battery effectively during available solar-production periods
• Deliver stronger whole-home backup performance
• Accommodate future electrification and changing energy needs

The inverter size was therefore selected around the household’s actual and expected power demand—not simply around the number of solar panels.

Why Three Battery Modules?

Three SigenStor battery modules provide approximately 30kWh of nominal storage and around 27kWh of usable energy.

The objective was not to install the largest possible battery. It was to find the right balance between overnight consumption, backup duration, available solar generation and the financial benefit available under the applicable battery incentives.

For this household, three modules offered a practical balance. Adding another battery would have increased the storage capacity, but the additional cost and available incentive benefit were less attractive relative to the family’s expected usage.

Battery rebates and eligibility can change, so system sizing should always be confirmed against the current program rules and an up-to-date quotation.

The Installation Challenge

The battery and electrical equipment were installed on the opposite side of a complex, split-level double-brick home. The raked ceilings provided very limited internal cable access, while the glazed tiles required careful handling and preparation.

The scope included extended electrical cabling, additional conduit, roof-tile grinding, main-switchboard modifications, a three-phase meter isolator and protective bollards around the battery installation.

Wherever the building structure allowed, the cabling was concealed. Visible sections were kept controlled, aligned and professionally finished.

This project demonstrates why installation quality matters just as much as the products selected. A premium solar and battery system still requires careful planning, experienced tradespeople and attention to the details that customers may never see.

The Final Result

The completed system combines:

• High solar-generation capacity
• Substantial usable battery storage
• Three-phase whole-home backup
• Capacity for higher household loads
• A clean, largely concealed installation
• Greater energy security for a young family

For Energy Loop, a quality installation is not simply one that works. It should be safe, considered and visually integrated into the home—even when the property presents almost every installation challenge possible.

Planning solar and battery storage for a complex Adelaide home? Contact Energy Loop for a system designed around your property, electricity usage and future plans—not a standard package.