Start with the energy you can actually shift
A battery is useful only when there is energy available to charge it and a later demand or price advantage worth serving. Compare interval consumption with solar production and exports across the year, not just a sunny day.
A home occupied during daylight may already use much of its generation directly. Another home may export in summer but have little surplus in winter. Battery sizing should account for these differences instead of assuming every household achieves the same self-consumption increase.
Capacity and power solve different problems
Usable capacity, measured in kWh, describes the energy available within operating limits. Power, measured in kW, describes the rate at which it can be charged or discharged. A large capacity does not necessarily mean that a battery can run several high-power appliances together.
Check minimum state of charge, reserve settings, inverter limits and temperature constraints. Ask the designer to state the usable capacity and power of the complete proposed system rather than adding nameplate figures without regard to compatibility.
Do not assume a battery provides backup
Grid-connected equipment commonly has to stop exporting when the grid fails. Backup operation requires a suitable system design, isolation and a defined set of loads. Ask whether the proposal backs up the whole property or only selected circuits, and what happens when the battery is depleted.
Have the installer explain changeover behaviour, starting loads, recharge during an outage and commissioning tests. Do not test grid isolation yourself or assume a marketing label establishes a safe backup installation.
Compare stored energy with the alternatives
Using solar directly avoids storage losses. Scheduling flexible demand into daylight can therefore be worth comparing before purchasing a battery. Where the system permits grid charging, compare the actual import rates and restrictions rather than assuming night electricity is always cheaper.
The value of storing solar depends partly on the export credit forgone. Include charging and discharging losses, standby consumption, installed cost, financing and potential replacement. A battery can improve resilience without producing a short financial payback; keep those objectives separate.
Read warranty conditions, not a universal lifespan
Product warranties differ by model, market and operating conditions. Check the applicable document for retained-capacity conditions, throughput or cycle limits, registration, installation requirements and exclusions.
A warranty is not a prediction that no component will need attention during that period. Ask who diagnoses a fault, pays for removal and transport, provides labour and supports a claim if an installer ceases trading. No fixed warranty length or certification of LIT is asserted here.
Questions for LIT before ordering
LIT is the primary specialist for a property-specific battery proposal. Ask for current documentation and a transparent calculation.
- Which exact inverter and battery combination is supported?
- What usable capacity, output power and backup scope are included?
- How were annual exports and evening imports estimated?
- What electrical work, monitoring and commissioning are included?
- How does the proposal compare with solar-only and load scheduling?
Documents and verification starting points
Check the current document, date and applicability to your property or contract. These links do not establish individual eligibility, credentials or approval. This page is educational guidance, not a verified product test or legal opinion.