Off-Grid Solar Case Study: Powering a Large Electric Home in Gunnedah, NSW
For many rural and regional homes, going off-grid is not just about leaving the grid behind. It is about creating a reliable power system that supports everyday life without constant compromise.
That was the priority for Luke, who lives near Gunnedah, NSW. He approached Commodore Australia because he needed a dependable off-grid solar system for his large electric home.
From the start, Luke wanted more than a basic setup. He wanted enough capacity to support his family’s lifestyle, while also allowing for future growth. Therefore, the system needed to include healthy capacity buffers, strong battery storage and reliable power delivery.
Commodore Australia worked with Luke and trusted local installer, Phased Electrical and Solar, to deliver a tailored off-grid solution. This gave Luke the benefit of Commodore’s off-grid manufacturing experience, combined with the local knowledge and on-site support of a regional electrician.
The original system included a 30kVA single-phase Commodore Power Hub Commercial system. Later, Luke expanded the system with additional batteries, extra solar panels, a battery expansion cabinet and another inverter.
As a result, the property now has a robust off-grid energy system that can support a large electric home with greater confidence.
The challenge: powering a large electric home off-grid
Large electric homes can place serious demand on an off-grid power system. Heating, cooling, hot water, cooking, refrigeration, lighting and everyday appliances all need reliable power.
In addition, the system must handle peak loads. It also needs enough battery storage to support the home during poor weather or periods of low solar production.
For Luke, the goal was clear. He wanted a system that could support normal household living without feeling limited by the fact that the property was off-grid.
This made careful system design essential. An off-grid system needs the right balance of solar generation, battery storage, inverter capacity and backup support. If one part of the system is undersized, the homeowner may face ongoing inconvenience or unnecessary generator use.
Therefore, Commodore focused on designing a system with enough capacity for both daily use and future energy needs.
The solution: a 30kVA Power Hub Commercial system
Commodore Australia supplied a tailored Power Hub Commercial system for Luke’s home near Gunnedah.
The system included:
- Power capacity: 30kVA single-phase
- Inverters: 2 x Victron Quattro 15kVA inverter/chargers
- Battery storage: Pylontech lithium battery storage
- Enclosure: Commodore Power Hub Commercial cabinet
- Cooling system: Temperature-controlled DC air conditioning
- Installer: Phased Electrical and Solar
The Power Hub Commercial cabinet housed the core off-grid equipment in one centralised system. This helped simplify the installation and gave the main components a protected, purpose-built enclosure.
The built-in cooling system also played an important role. In regional Australian conditions, heat can affect battery and inverter performance over time. Therefore, temperature control helps support long-term reliability and system longevity.
The two Victron Quattro inverter/chargers gave the system the power capacity needed for a large electric home. Meanwhile, the Pylontech battery storage provided the energy reserve needed for off-grid living.
Together, these components created a strong foundation for Luke’s home.
Local installation with expert manufacturing support
Off-grid projects work best when system design and local installation come together properly.
For this project, Commodore Australia supplied the manufactured off-grid system and provided technical support. Phased Electrical and Solar completed the installation and worked directly with Luke on site.
This approach gave Luke the best of both worlds. He received a professionally manufactured Power Hub system, while also working with a local installer who understood the site and regional conditions.
In addition, Commodore’s lifetime remote support gave Luke ongoing confidence after installation. This is especially important for off-grid systems, where long-term support can be just as valuable as the initial system design.
System expansion: more battery storage and more solar
After living with the original system, Luke later expanded the installation.
The expansion included:
- 8 additional Pylontech lithium batteries
- A dedicated battery expansion cabinet
- An additional Fronius inverter
- Extra solar panels
- Updated system integration
- A system health check
- Battery rebate support
This expansion shows the value of planning ahead. Energy needs can change over time, especially in larger homes. For example, a household may add more appliances, increase air conditioning use, install workshop equipment or simply want more stored energy.
Because Luke’s system had a strong foundation, Commodore could expand it rather than replace it. As a result, the property gained more storage capacity and additional solar input.
The expansion also gave the home more resilience during cloudy weather and higher-use periods.
Taking advantage of the battery rebate
Luke also took advantage of the available battery rebate when expanding the system.
For larger off-grid homes, battery storage can make a major difference to comfort and reliability. However, adding more storage can also increase the upfront cost. Therefore, rebate support can help make expansion more practical.
The rebate helped Luke increase his system’s battery capacity while reducing the overall cost of the upgrade.
This highlights an important point for anyone planning an off-grid system. It is worth considering current rebate options, future expansion plans and long-term energy use before finalising the system design.
The outcome: reliable off-grid power for a large home
Luke’s off-grid system now gives his home a strong and flexible energy platform.
The original 30kVA Power Hub Commercial system provided the power capacity needed for a large electric home. Then, the later expansion added more battery storage, extra solar generation and additional inverter support.
As a result, Luke and his family now have a system that better matches their lifestyle and long-term energy needs.
The project also shows why proper off-grid design matters. A larger home needs more than a few solar panels and a battery. It needs a complete system that can handle real household loads, changing seasons and future growth.
With support from Commodore Australia and Phased Electrical and Solar, Luke’s property now has a reliable off-grid solution designed for comfort, performance and peace of mind.
Planning an off-grid solar system in regional NSW?
Every off-grid property is different. Your energy use, location, roof space, appliance loads and future plans all affect the final system design.
Commodore Australia works with homeowners, farmers, businesses and local installers to design off-grid solar systems for Australian conditions.
If you are planning a large off-grid home, or you want to expand an existing system, Commodore can help you create a solution that suits your property and long-term energy needs. Chat to one of our off-grid experts>
