What is a Solar + Battery System?
A hybrid solar system also called a solar + battery system, combines traditional grid-tied solar with a battery to store excess energy for later use. During the day, your solar panels power your home first. Any surplus energy charges your battery instead of being exported straight to the grid.
When the sun goes down or your home’s usage increases, the battery supplies stored energy back to your home, reducing how much power you need to buy from your retailer. And if the grid goes down, a hybrid system can keep essential circuits running, giving you backup power during an outage.
In New Zealand, hybrid systems are popular with homeowners who want lower power bills, protection during blackouts, and more energy independence, all while staying connected to the grid for reliability and flexibility.
What Makes Up a Solar + Battery System?
A hybrid solar system includes all the core parts of a grid-tied system, with the addition of battery storage and backup-power components. Together, they allow your home to use solar energy day and night — and stay powered during an outage.
1. Solar Panels
Mounted on your roof to capture sunlight and convert it into DC power. This energy runs your home and charges your battery.
2. Hybrid Inverter
The central unit that manages everything. A hybrid inverter converts DC power from the panels into usable AC power, charges and discharges the battery, and automatically switches to backup mode if the grid fails.
3. Battery System
Stores excess solar energy for use at night or during peak periods. Modern lithium batteries are modular, safe, and expandable.
4. Energy Gateway / Backup Switchboard
This device isolates your home from the grid during an outage and keeps essential circuits alive using battery power. It ensures your system meets NZ electrical and safety standards for backup operation.
5. Mounting & Racking System
Engineered rails, brackets, and clamps that secure the solar panels to your roof. Designed to meet NZ wind zones and AS/NZS compliance.
6. DC & AC Cabling
Solar-rated cabling that connects panels, batteries, and inverters safely, ensuring efficient power flow throughout the system.
7. Switchboard Connection
Your hybrid system connects into your main switchboard, supplying your home with solar first, then battery, then grid as needed.
8. Export Meter
Installed by your electricity retailer to measure how much power you export or import. You can still earn grid export credits even with a battery system.