Darren’s Off-Grid Solar System Near Hamilton: Seamless Power with the Powerhub 20
When reconnecting to the grid didn’t make sense, Commodore’s Powerhub 20 did
When Darren purchased a rural property near Hamilton in Strathkellar, Victoria, he quickly realised the cost to reconnect to the grid was unjustifiable. The trenching and infrastructure upgrade needed to restore power to the site were not only costly, they simply didn’t offer long-term value.
Instead, Darren made the smart decision to go fully off-grid, investing in a robust, future-ready solar power system from Commodore Australia, with installation by TJM Electrical Services.
“The off-grid system wasn’t much dearer, and it was a logical step,” Darren explained.
Smart Planning with Commodore’s Online Calculator
At the start of his build, Darren worked with Taylor Mckenry from TJM Electrical, who recommended using Commodore’s online energy calculator. The simple tool helped Darren accurately map out every power requirement, from lights and cooling to phone charging points and heavy appliance use.
“It was a really simple process that enabled us to know what sort of system we required.”
Installed System: Built to Perform, Designed to Impress
Darren’s off-grid system is anchored by the Commodore Powerhub 20 Commercial, a pre-wired, air-conditioned cabinet configured for high performance and expandability.
System Components:
- Powerhub 20 Commercial Unit
- 2x Victron MultiPlus-II 10kVA Inverters
- Victron SmartSolar MPPT Charge Controller
- 7x Pylontech US5000B 5kWh Batteries (35kWh total)
- Premium 17.6kVA Commodore Diesel Generator (auto-start backup)
Every component is professionally housed in an air-conditioned cabinet that not only performs but visually impresses. According to Darren:
“We’ve had so many friends come look at the system and they were blown away by the quality and finish.”
A Generator That Rarely Needs to Work
While the system includes a powerful backup diesel generator, Darren rarely hears it running. In fact, it only turns on for monthly test cycles, proof of the solar system’s reliability.
“I don’t think it’s ever done anything other than the test run, to be honest.”
Final Thoughts: A Faultless Off-Grid Experience
Since going live, Darren’s off-grid setup has delivered seamless power without interruption. His only regret is not doing it sooner.
“I can’t fault it in any way. It’s just performed seamlessly.”
Thinking About Going Off-Grid?
Whether you’re in regional Victoria or elsewhere in Australia, Commodore Australia can design a system that matches your current needs with room to grow in the future.
Start planning your own system today:
https://www.commodoreaustralia.com.au/free-consultation/
