Inverter and battery backup for power cuts
When the power drops, the inverter switches the house over to the battery fast enough that most lights and Wi-Fi routers do not notice. You can start with an inverter and battery charged from the grid and add panels later, using the same inverter.
Worth a call if
- Power cuts disrupt work, school or sleep
- You are not ready for panels yet
- Security, gate and Wi-Fi must stay on
Back up the essentials, not the whole house
We split your distribution board into essential and non-essential circuits. Lights, plugs for the fridge, Wi-Fi, TV, gate motor and alarm go on the backup side. The stove, geyser, oven and pool pump stay on the grid, because they would empty a battery in under an hour.
How long it lasts
Backup time is battery capacity divided by load. A 5 kWh lithium battery running 500 W of lights, Wi-Fi, TV and a fridge lasts several hours. Our sizing tool shows the arithmetic, and the site visit confirms it.
Ready for panels
We fit a hybrid inverter so you can add panels without starting over. With panels, the battery recharges from the sun instead of the grid, and the system also cuts your daytime bill.
A backup install includes
- 1
Hybrid inverter
Sized for the peak load on your essential circuits.
- 2
Lithium battery
Capacity chosen for the hours you need covered.
- 3
Essential-loads circuit
A neat split in the DB board with clear labelling.
- 4
Protection and isolators
Surge protection, breakers and a bypass switch for servicing.
- 5
CoC and handover
Compliance certificate, app set-up and a walk-through of what is on backup.
More installation
Questions people ask us
Can I run the kettle during a power cut?
A kettle draws about 2 kW for a few minutes. Most backup inverters can handle it, but it uses battery quickly and can trip the inverter if other big loads are on. We tell you exactly which appliances your system can start.
Does the battery charge from the grid?
Yes. Without panels, the inverter recharges the battery from the grid when power returns. With panels, it charges from the sun first.
What is the difference between a UPS and an inverter system?
A small UPS keeps a router or computer on for a short time. An inverter system with a lithium battery runs a set of household circuits for hours, and can work with solar panels.
Request a quote
Send the basics and we reply to arrange a site visit or a quote. A photo of your DB board and a recent electricity bill help us prepare, and you can attach them to the email this form opens.