Solar and battery, made simple for Townsville
A plain English guide to how it works, what the 2026 rebate means for you, and what your home could really save. No jargon, no pressure.
From sunrise to the evening peak, in three steps
You do not need to understand the tech to make a smart decision. Here is the whole system explained simply.
Your panels make power
Solar panels turn Townsville sunlight into electricity. An inverter converts it to the 240V power your home runs on, and your appliances use that free power first, before any grid power.
Your battery stores the extra
On a sunny day you make more than you use. Instead of exporting that surplus to the grid for a few cents, a battery banks it. A hybrid inverter decides when to store and when to use, automatically.
You run on your own power
After sunset, when grid rates are highest, your home draws from the battery instead of the retailer. You only buy grid power once the battery runs low, and the grid stays connected as backup.
A real O'Brien install, start to finish
Watch a local O'Brien crew size, install and switch on a Townsville solar and battery system. This is the same team that would look after your home.
- Local Townsville technicians, not fly in contractors
- Tidy, safe workmanship with everything tested on the day
- Your system explained in plain English before we leave
Real installs around Townsville
Real homes, real crews, real batteries. Here are a few of the systems our local team has fitted recently.
Estimate what your home could save
Slide to your average quarterly power bill for a rough guide. Every home is different, so treat this as a starting point, not a quote.
Stop buying back your own power
This is the part most people miss. The gap between what you are paid to export your solar and what you pay to buy it back is the whole game. Feed in payments have fallen to a few cents, while grid power costs 30 cents or more. A battery closes that gap.
Solar on its own typically lets you use only 30 to 50% of what you generate. Add a battery and that jumps to around 80 to 90%.
What size system does your home actually need?
Size is everything. Too small and you still get big bills. Too big and you pay for capacity you never use. It comes down to three things.
As a rough guide, many Townsville homes land around a 6.6kW solar system with a 10kWh battery, but the only way to size it right is to look at your actual usage. That is why we assess in home rather than guess from a satellite image.
What it costs, and when it pays for itself
A fair question, and the honest answer is that it depends on the system. Here is what drives the cost and the payback.
Because power prices tend to rise, the savings usually grow over time, which shortens the real payback compared with today's rates.
What to look for, and what to avoid
Not all solar is equal. These are the things that separate a system that performs for 20 years from one that disappoints.
Tier 1 panels and reputable batteries
Proven brands with real performance warranties, not the cheapest gear that fades early.
A CEC accredited installer
Required for the rebate and certificates, and a mark of a properly trained team.
An in home assessment
Real sizing from your roof and usage, not a guess from a satellite photo.
Clear warranties in writing
Separate cover for the product, the performance and the workmanship.
A local team you can reach
Someone based here who can come back on site if you ever need them.
A right sized battery
Matched to your evening usage, so you are not left buying peak power anyway.
Is solar worth it in Townsville?
For most homes here, yes, and more so than in the cooler cities down south. Three reasons it stacks up in the tropics.
Why 10,000+ Townsville locals chose O'Brien
We don't quote from a map
A real in home assessment, so your system is sized right the first time.
4.8 stars, 133 reviews
Rated by real Townsville customers, not a call centre.
CEC accredited team
Local accredited technicians using Tier 1 panels and batteries.
Rebate handled for you
We check your eligibility and take care of all the certificates.
Local to Townsville
Based here, serving here, back on site if you ever need us.
100+ years behind the name
The O'Brien name has stood for trusted trades for generations.
"Could not be happier with our solar installation. Great communication, all the little extras covered, like hot water on a smart switch. Installation was smooth and professional. Could not recommend more."
The things Townsville homeowners ask first
Am I eligible for the battery rebate?
How much does solar and battery cost?
Do I really need a battery, or just solar?
What is the payback period?
Will it handle the Townsville heat and storms?
Can I add a battery to my existing solar?
Local to Townsville, here when you need us
Drop into the showroom in Domain Central or give the team a call. Real local people, based right here in Garbutt.
- Address
5/95-101 Duckworth St, Garbutt QLD 4814
Located in Domain Central - Phone
(07) 4729 5600 - Hours
Open Monday to Friday, until 4pm - 4.8 stars on Google
From 135 local reviews