CASE STUDY | Small Home Solution in Success, WA

Overview

6.6 kW solar PV + 9.3 kWh battery installation

When this Plico member in Success was looking to replace their ageing solar system, they wanted a solution that would lower their energy bills, fit their available space, and take advantage of the latest battery rebates available in Western Australia.

Plico designed and installed a Small Home Solution featuring a 6.6 kW solar system, 9.3 kWh battery and 5 kW inverter, providing the perfect fit for a smaller household while maximising available rebates and financing options.

System Information

Ideal For

This system is best suited to:

• Homes with 1 to 2 occupants;
• Households spending around $150 per month on electricity;
• Households with a limited budget;
• Homeowners looking to reduce bills and increase energy independence; and/or
• Properties with limited installation space.

Site Specifics

The garage was the ideal location for this battery installation, as all required clearances were met. The battery is away from windows, doors and vents to habitable rooms and is not obstructing any exits. The garage provides protection from the elements while remaining easily accessible for servicing. A bollard has been installed to prevent vehicle strike damaging the battery.

Due to limited available space in the garage, the 9.3 kWh battery was the perfect fit, delivering substantial energy storage capacity without compromising the functionality of the space.

The Challenge

The member's existing solar system had reached the point where replacing it with newer technology would deliver better performance and improved long-term value.

At the same time, they wanted to:

• Maximise available government incentives;
• Reduce ongoing electricity costs;
• Access battery storage to use more of their solar energy at night; and
• Find a financing option that wouldn't put pressure on household cash flow.

The Solution

Plico removed the existing solar system and installed a completely new energy solution comprising:

• 6.6 kW solar PV system (15 panels);
• 5 kW AlphaESS inverter;
• 9.3 kWh AlphaESS battery;
• Built-in blackout protection to dedicated circuits;
• Connection to Plico's Virtual Power Plant (VPP).

By combining solar generation, battery storage and VPP participation, this member can store excess solar energy during the day and use it when the sun goes down, instead of drawing electricity from the grid. 

Rebates and Discounts

This installation qualified for multiple government incentives, helping significantly reduce the upfront cost.

WA Battery Rebate + National Battery Rebate

The homeowner received:

• WA Battery Rebate; and
• National Battery Rebate.

Combined value: $3,700

Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs)

The installation also qualified for STCs, providing an additional reduction in the overall system cost.

Total value = $1,737

Plico Virtual Power Plant Discount

By joining the Plico VPP, the homeowner unlocked an additional:

Total value = $1,500 VPP discount

WA Interest-Free Loan

One of the biggest advantages of this project was access to the WA Government's $10,000 interest-free battery loan.

The member qualified for a loan that covered the full cost of the system, allowing them to install solar and battery storage with no upfront payment required.

Loan Benefits

• Covered the entire system cost for this Small Home Solution;
• 0% interest;
• Up to 10 years to repay;
• No upfront costs to pay;
• Repayments approx $82/month;
• No interest payable during the loan term.

This means the member can use some of the savings generated by their solar and battery system to help repay the loan over time, while having some left in their pocket, making the transition to cleaner, cheaper energy more accessible.

The Outcome

This new Small Home Solution provides the homeowner with:

✅ Lower electricity bills

✅ Modern solar and battery technology

✅ Access to valuable government rebates

✅ Interest-free financing

✅ Additional VPP benefits and discounts

✅ A system sized appropriately for their household needs

For smaller households and those wanting to take the edge off power bills and make the most of available rebates, a 6.6 kW solar system paired with a 9.3 kWh battery can be an ideal solution.