If you're adding a battery to a grid-connected solar system, one of the key design considerations is where the battery will be installed.
Battery placement isn’t just about convenience. In Australia, installations must follow strict electrical and safety standards that define where batteries can and cannot be located within a home.
Below is a practical overview of the requirements and considerations that apply to residential solar battery installations.
All residential battery installations in Australia must comply with AS/NZS 5139:2019, which covers battery energy storage system safety.
Installers also need to follow several related electrical standards including:
| Standard | Description |
|---|---|
| AS/NZS 3000 | Wiring Rules |
| AS/NZS 5033 | Installation and safety requirements for PV arrays |
| AS/NZS 4777.1 | Installation requirements for grid-connected energy systems |
| AS/NZS 4777.2 | Inverter requirements |
| AS/NZS 4509.1 | Stand-alone power system safety |
| AS/NZS 4509.2 | Stand-alone power system design |
| AS/NZS 3010 | Generator installations |
These standards exist to ensure battery systems are installed safely and correctly within residential properties.
Most modern solar batteries are designed to be installed either indoors or outdoors, provided they meet the environmental requirements specified by the manufacturer.
Factors that can influence installation location include:
Because of these variables, the final installation location is typically assessed during the system design stage.
Battery systems are given an IP (Ingress Protection) rating, which indicates how well the unit is protected against dust and water.
The rating includes two numbers:
For example:
| Rating | Meaning |
|---|---|
| IP55 | Protected from dust and low-pressure water jets |
| IP56 | Protected from stronger water jets |
| IP65 | Fully dust-tight and protected from water jets |
Many modern residential batteries have ratings around IP55–IP65, meaning they are suitable for outdoor installation when installed correctly.
AS/NZS 5139 outlines several locations where batteries must not be installed inside a home.
These include:
These restrictions are designed to ensure safe access and minimise potential hazards.
The standards distinguish between habitable and non-habitable areas of a home.
These are areas where people typically live or spend time, such as:
These include spaces such as:
Battery systems cannot be installed within 600 mm of windows or ventilation openings leading to habitable rooms, and they cannot be installed under floors of habitable spaces.
When batteries are installed outside the home, the type of building construction can influence the requirements.
Weatherboard construction is considered combustible, so additional protective measures may be required.
If a battery is installed on an external wall that backs onto a habitable room, non-combustible material may be required behind the battery.
This protective area generally needs to extend:
Brick construction is non-combustible, so placement restrictions are generally less strict.
However, there are still limitations around doors and windows connected to habitable rooms.
For example, batteries cannot be installed:
Every property is different, and battery placement needs to consider both safety regulations and the overall system design.
When planning a solar and battery system, the installation location is typically assessed based on:
Our in-house installation team assesses these factors during the design and installation process and will walk you through the most suitable location for the system at your property.