Craig & Susanne’s Off-Grid Solar System with EV Charging in Bungendore, NSW
A smart, sustainable off-grid solution that powers home life and daily EV use
When Craig and Susanne moved to their property in Bungendore, NSW, their goal was to live independently without compromising comfort. They wanted to be off-grid, run an electric vehicle, and maintain a modern, suburban lifestyle with complete energy control.
With help from Commodore Australia, they installed a fully customised off-grid solar system that powers their entire home and EV, with minimal reliance on their generator and maximum peace of mind.
“We can still live a normal life and not be reliant on grid supply. It’s been a fantastic experience.”
System Planning: More Than Just Going Off-Grid
From the beginning, Craig and Susanne knew they didn’t want a basic setup. Their needs were diverse, and they wanted a system that could support not just household power, but also the growing demand of regular EV charging.
Their original system included:
- Powerhub 15 XL
- 8 x Pylontech US5000 batteries (40kWh total)
- Trina Vertex solar panels (12.75kW array)
- Victron Quattro inverter and Cerbo GX for monitoring
- 13.2kVA diesel generator as backup
This setup performed well overall. However, during winter, after a 100km daily round trip, they found battery capacity was just on the edge when it came to fully recharging their EV.
The Upgrade: More Storage, Less Generator Use
To boost performance and eliminate generator dependency, they decided to expand their system. Working with Commodore, they added:
- A second cabinet
- 4 additional Pylontech batteries (20kWh)
- Extended integration with their existing Victron energy management
The upgrade brought their total storage to 60kWh, giving them the flexibility to arrive home, plug in their car, and recharge with confidence, even after overcast days.
“Even if it’s pitch black and there hasn’t been a lot of sun, we’ve still got enough power to recharge the usage from the car.”
Finding the Right Solution Together
When their generator produced more smoke than expected, Craig and Susanne raised the issue with Commodore. Rather than offering a generic fix, the team listened and asked the right question: do you actually want to be using the generator?
Their answer was no. So instead of replacing the generator, Commodore proposed a smarter long-term solution: increase the battery bank.
“They worked with us to understand what we wanted. And what we wanted was to not run the generator.”
This led to the expansion of their system and a noticeable drop in generator use.
Living Off-Grid the Smart Way
Thanks to Victron’s Cerbo GX and Commodore’s planning, the system runs quietly and reliably in the background. Each week, Craig checks fuel and oil levels in the generator, inspects the system, and that’s it. The rest takes care of itself.
“The Victron system has been flawless. It just keeps going. It’s set and forget.”
Off-Grid with EVs: Comfort, Reliability and Control
Craig and Susanne’s story shows that with the right planning and the right team, off-grid living can be both powerful and practical. Their system not only delivers comfort but also supports their sustainable values, helping reduce their carbon footprint while living with independence.
You can watch their full story on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liKOs8vTMpw
Considering an Off-Grid Solar System with EV Charging?
If you’re planning your off-grid journey and want to support your home and electric vehicle without compromise, talk to Commodore Australia about a tailored solution.
Visit commodoreaustralia.com.au/free-consultation/ to learn more or request a custom quote.
