Updated June 2026 | Positive Energy Solutions — Perth’s solar and battery specialists
In Perth, the solar maths have shifted. Synergy’s feed-in tariff for surplus solar sits at just 2 cents per kilowatt-hour under the Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme — while the same grid electricity costs 33.26 cents per kWh to import. Exporting surplus solar is effectively giving it away.
A hybrid solar system changes that equation. Instead of exporting surplus power for next to nothing, a hybrid system stores it in a battery for use in the evening — offsetting electricity you would otherwise buy at peak grid rates. The result is a system that works harder, pays back faster, and keeps your home running even when the grid goes down.
At Positive Energy Solutions, every system we install is a hybrid system. We do not offer solar-only. We believe that without a battery, you are leaving the best part of your investment on the table. This guide explains exactly how hybrid solar works, which equipment we use, what sizing makes sense for Perth homes, and how to make the most of the rebates currently on offer.
Hybrid Solar vs Standard Solar: What is the Difference?
There are three types of solar system architecture relevant to Perth homeowners: standard grid-tied solar, hybrid solar with DC-coupled battery, and AC-coupled battery systems added to existing standard solar.
Standard Grid-Tied Solar
A standard grid-tied system uses a string inverter with no battery port. It converts DC electricity from your panels into AC for the home and exports whatever you do not use. The inverter also shuts down automatically during a grid outage — for safety — leaving the home without power.
If you later decide to add a battery to a standard solar system, you face two options: replace the inverter entirely with a hybrid unit, or install a separate AC-coupled battery inverter alongside the existing string inverter.
AC-Coupled Batteries on Standard Solar
An AC-coupled battery system uses its own inverter to connect the battery to the household circuits. It can charge from the grid or from solar surplus — but only from solar that is not already being consumed by the home. The battery charges on what is left over after all household loads are met. In a home with high daytime consumption, that surplus can be limited, which constrains how quickly and fully the battery charges on any given day.
AC-coupled systems can provide backup power, but this requires the appropriate backup hardware and switchgear to be installed. The battery does not automatically keep the home running in a blackout — the correct isolation and transfer equipment must be present for this to work.
Hybrid Solar with DC-Coupled Battery
A hybrid inverter manages energy flow between the panels, the battery, and the grid from a single unit. Critically, it charges the battery via a direct DC-to-DC connection from the solar panels — bypassing the AC conversion step entirely. This is more efficient than AC coupling, and it delivers a meaningful advantage when the solar array is oversized relative to the inverter’s AC output capacity.
When panels are generating more DC power than the inverter can push to the AC side — a common scenario with a 13 kW array on a 10 kW inverter, for example — that surplus DC power flows directly into the battery rather than being wasted at the clipping point. The battery captures energy that a standard or AC-coupled system would simply lose.
Here is how the three approaches compare:
Synergy A1 tariff: 33.26c/kWh import. DEBS export rate: 2c/kWh. Rates effective July 2026. Backup capability requires appropriate isolation and transfer hardware to be installed.
How a Hybrid Solar System Works in Practice
A hybrid inverter coordinates four things simultaneously: your solar panels, your battery, your home’s loads, and the grid connection. Here is what a typical Perth day looks like with a correctly sized system:
- Morning (sunrise to mid-morning): Solar generation begins. The hybrid inverter powers household loads directly from solar first. Any surplus flows into the battery via the DC-to-DC charge path.
- Peak sun hours (mid-morning to mid-afternoon): Generation exceeds household demand. The battery charges at full rate. With an oversized array, DC power that would otherwise be clipped goes straight into the battery. Once the battery is full, surplus exports to the grid at the DEBS rate.
- Afternoon: Generation tapers. Air conditioning and afternoon loads are covered from solar. The battery is full and ready for the evening.
- Evening (sunset onwards): The battery discharges to power the home. High-draw appliances — cooking, dishwasher, TV, reverse cycle air con — are covered from storage rather than grid electricity.
- Overnight: When the battery reaches its minimum charge level, the grid supplies the balance. With a well-sized system, many Perth homes draw little to no grid power on most nights.
- During a blackout: With the correct backup hardware installed, the system disconnects from the grid and powers essential circuits from battery and solar. The battery does not automatically provide blackout protection without the appropriate isolation and transfer equipment in place.
The Equipment Positive Energy Solutions Installs
Every Positive Energy Solutions system is built around proven hybrid inverter and battery platforms. We work with five battery brands, each suited to different household requirements:
- Tesla Powerwall: Wall-mounted lithium battery with integrated inverter and full backup capability. The Tesla Powerwall 3 includes its own solar input, a 13.5 kWh capacity, and blackout backup — whole-home on the single-phase 10kW setting, essential circuits on 5kW or three-phase. A Powerwall-certified installer is required.
- Sungrow: Sungrow hybrid inverters pair with either the SBR (modular, expandable in 3.2 kWh increments) or SBH (higher-power, suited to larger homes) battery range. One of the broadest size ranges available, with a strong value proposition per kWh. Full backup capability is available with the hybrid inverter and battery combination plus backup hardware.
- Fronius GEN24 Plus: Austrian-engineered hybrid inverter with a 10-year manufacturer warranty. Compatible with BYD Battery-Box and Fronius Reserva battery platforms. Full backup available with compatible battery and backup switchgear installed.
- iStore: A fully integrated energy system — hybrid inverter, battery, heat pump hot water, and EV charger — built on Huawei hardware. iStore offers a single-brand solution covering solar generation, storage, hot water, and vehicle charging in one ecosystem.
- SigEnergy: An emerging battery platform with strong technical specifications, suited to households looking for competitive pricing alongside solid performance credentials.
All Positive Energy Solutions installations use Clean Energy Council-accredited installers, Australian Standards-compliant balance-of-system componentry (rails, clamps, isolators, conduit, and cabling), and are designed to Western Power grid connection requirements.
Sizing a Hybrid System for Your Perth Home
Getting the sizing right matters more with a hybrid system than a standard install. The solar array needs to cover both daytime consumption and fully charge the battery on most days. It also needs to be appropriately sized relative to the inverter capacity to take advantage of DC-to-DC clipping recovery into the battery.
Perth’s solar resource is exceptional. A 6.6 kW system typically generates around 28–32 kWh per day in summer and 18–22 kWh per day in winter — more than enough to power a medium household and charge a 9.6–12.8 kWh battery on most days of the year.
Indicative starting points only. Positive Energy Solutions sizes every system to your actual usage data, roof capacity, and Western Power connection requirements. Homes with EVs, pools, or ducted air conditioning generally require a larger array.
Western Power applies a 1.5 kW export limit for inverters larger than 5 kW on single-phase residential connections in most Perth suburbs. This is one reason why a correctly sized battery matters: rather than curtailing solar generation at the export cap, a battery stores that surplus and delivers it in the evening when it is worth far more than the DEBS rate.
For homes approaching or exceeding 40 kWh per day — larger families, ducted reverse-cycle air conditioning, pools, and electric vehicles — Positive Energy Solutions recommends a 13 kW array with 20 kWh of battery storage. This gives the generation capacity to charge a large battery, cover daytime loads, and minimise grid reliance through the evening and overnight.
Rebates and Incentives Available in Perth in 2026
Perth homeowners can stack multiple incentives to significantly reduce the out-of-pocket cost of a solar-and-battery system. The 2026 rebate environment is the most favourable it has been, with federal and state programs running simultaneously.
Rebate values are approximate and subject to change. WA Residential Battery Scheme available to eligible Synergy customers. Federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program subject to battery eligibility criteria. Confirm current eligibility with Positive Energy Solutions at the time of your quote.
The no-interest loan is particularly significant: eligible Synergy customers can finance a battery addition with zero upfront cost and repay over time from the electricity bill savings the battery generates. In many cases, the monthly loan repayment is less than what the battery saves on the power bill.
Why Every Positive Energy Solutions System Is a Hybrid System
Positive Energy Solutions does not install solar-only. We made this decision because the numbers in Perth simply do not support it.
With DEBS paying 2c per kWh for exported solar and Synergy charging 33.26c per kWh for grid electricity, a household that exports half its solar generation is handing significant value back to the grid. The battery is what captures the difference — and with DC-to-DC charging, a correctly oversized array delivers even more energy into the battery than a standard or AC-coupled setup could.
There is also a practical reason: every Perth home with solar will eventually want a battery. Battery prices are falling and the rebate environment will not stay this generous indefinitely. Customers who install solar-only today often find they need to replace their inverter or add an AC-coupled system later — adding cost and complexity. We design for the complete system from day one, so none of that applies.
We are recognised by multiple independent bodies: SolarQuotes Legendary rated, the EUPD Research Top PV Installer award, and the 2026 SunWiz #1 Local Solar Hero (Perth Inner) and #3 WA battery installer awards. That track record is built on complete systems, installed properly, with monitoring and support to back them up.
Get a Hybrid Solar Quote from Positive Energy Solutions
We design and quote every system to your actual usage data, roof layout, and rebate eligibility — not a generic template. You will get a line-by-line quote showing the hardware, the rebates applied, the expected generation and savings, and the payback period.
Every Positive Energy Solutions installation includes full system commissioning, ongoing monitoring support, and workmanship backed by our installer guarantee. Call us or request a quote online and we will get back to you with a custom system design.
Related guides
- Grid-Tied vs Hybrid vs Off-Grid Solar Perth 2026: The Honest Comparison
- What Is a Hybrid Inverter and Why Does It Matter for Solar and Battery in Perth?
- Adding a Battery to Your Existing Solar System in Perth: 2026 Costs, Rebates, and Inverter Compatibility Guide
- How the Cheaper Home Batteries Program Works in Perth — What You Actually Get in 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a hybrid solar system?
A hybrid solar system combines rooftop solar panels with a hybrid inverter and a battery. The hybrid inverter manages energy flow between the panels, the battery, and the grid simultaneously — charging the battery from surplus solar and discharging it in the evening to reduce grid draw. Unlike a standard solar system, it uses DC-to-DC charging to fill the battery directly from the panels, which is more efficient than AC-coupled alternatives.
What is the difference between hybrid and AC-coupled battery systems?
An AC-coupled battery connects to existing standard solar via its own inverter and charges from household solar surplus — whatever is left over after all home loads are met. A hybrid system charges the battery via a direct DC-to-DC path from the panels, which is more efficient. When the solar array is oversized relative to the inverter’s AC output capacity, a hybrid system also recovers energy at the clipping point that an AC-coupled setup would lose.
Does a hybrid system work in a blackout?
A hybrid inverter and battery can power your home during a grid outage, but only when the appropriate backup hardware and isolation equipment is installed. The battery does not automatically provide blackout protection — the correct transfer gear must be part of the installation. Positive Energy Solutions designs backup-capable systems and can advise on what is required for your home.
Does Positive Energy Solutions install solar-only systems?
No. Every Positive Energy Solutions installation is a complete solar-and-battery hybrid system. We believe that without a battery, the system does not fully deliver on its potential in Perth’s current tariff environment.
Which batteries does Positive Energy Solutions install?
Positive Energy Solutions works with five platforms: Tesla Powerwall, Sungrow (SBR and SBH batteries), Fronius GEN24 Plus (compatible with BYD Battery-Box and Fronius Reserva), iStore (a fully integrated hybrid inverter, battery, heat pump, and EV charger system built on Huawei hardware), and SigEnergy. The right choice depends on your household size, backup requirements, and budget. We will recommend the best fit for your specific situation.
What rebates are available for hybrid solar in Perth in 2026?
Perth homeowners can access federal STCs on the solar component, the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program on storage (~$2,450 per 10 kWh), the WA Residential Battery Scheme for Synergy customers ($130/kWh, up to $1,300), Synergy Battery Rewards for ongoing bill credits, and a no-interest loan of up to $10,000 through Plenti. Combined, Synergy customers can access up to approximately $6,150 in rebates and incentives on a solar-plus-battery installation.
What is the payback period for a hybrid solar system in Perth?
For a well-sized solar-and-battery system after rebates, payback periods in Perth typically sit between four and seven years, based on current Synergy A1 tariff rates of 33.26c/kWh and DEBS at 2c/kWh. The gap between those two rates is what drives the payback and Perth’s solar resource means the battery fills from solar on most days of the year.
For detailed savings estimates specific to your home, contact Positive Energy Solutions for a custom quote. Perth tariff rates subject to change.
About the Author
Jason Wiktorowicz
Sales Manager, Positive Energy Solutions | Perth, WA
Jason has been at the centre of Western Australia’s energy transition for over a decade. As Orchestration Lead on Project Symphony — WA’s largest virtual power plant pilot — and Stream Lead on Project Encore, he worked directly with AEMO, Western Power and Energy Policy WA to shape how distributed energy resources connect and operate on the SWIS. That work included developing and rolling out CSIP-AUS, now mandatory for all new WA grid connections. He also led Emergency Solar Management (ESM), the first program of its kind in WA, VPP for Schools (VPP4S), which provided direct market benefits through Supplementary Reserve Capacity, and REBAR, the WA Residential Battery Rebate scheme.
His earlier career spanned Synergy, Infinite Energy and Curtin University’s Sustainability Policy Institute, where he co-authored peer-reviewed research on net-zero urban precincts, solar integration and peer-to-peer energy trading, published in the journal Urban Planning in 2018.
At Positive Energy Solutions, Jason leads sales with a focus on system design accuracy and long-term performance. Positive Energy Solutions installs solar and battery systems, EV chargers and heat pumps, and holds partner accreditations with Fronius, SigEnergy, iStore and SunPower. Connect with him on LinkedIn.
