Adding Batteries, Solar Panels or New Electrical Loads
What to check before expanding your MyEnergy system or adding an EV charger, pump or large appliance.
Contact MyEnergy before buying extra batteries, panels or equipment that will substantially increase your power use. An upgrade needs to suit the complete system, not just the new item.
Tell us what you want to achieve
- Longer overnight battery use or more backup time.
- Less generator running or less grid electricity use.
- Power for an EV charger, air conditioner, pump, electric hot water or workshop equipment.
- Supply for a new building or a change in occupancy.
Include your site address, existing equipment models, the proposed appliance's electrical rating and when you expect to use it. For motors and pumps, include available starting-current information. Photos of accessible labels are useful; do not remove covers to find them.
Power and energy are different limits
More battery energy may increase running time, but it does not automatically increase the power your inverter, wiring or switchboard can supply. Extra panels may improve charging while other limits still apply. We need to consider your usual loads, starting surges and seasonal solar availability together.
Battery compatibility matters
Do not connect extra battery modules yourself or assume batteries can be mixed because their voltage looks similar. Model compatibility, age, communication, firmware, manufacturer requirements and installation limits need assessment. Any change must also meet the requirements that apply at the time of the work.
Before approving an upgrade
Ask for confirmation of the proposed equipment, expected operating changes, backup circuits, monitoring setup and any network approval needed. Ask how existing and new equipment warranties apply. Rebates and approvals depend on the current rules and your circumstances; an existing system does not guarantee eligibility.
Until the upgrade has been assessed and completed, keep operating within your existing handover limits. See System Shuts Down When a Large Appliance Starts if a new load is already causing problems.
Need help?
Submit a MyEnergy support request, email support@myenergysolar.com.au or call 1300 706 870, option 3. Include your site address, the time of the issue, battery percentage and any alarm photos.
Replacing an AGM or gel bank with lithium
A change from VRLA to lithium is a system upgrade, not simply a battery swap. MyEnergy needs to review charging profiles, battery communications, protection, available charging power, enclosure requirements and the existing inverter. The generator and monitoring setup may also need changes.
For a like-for-like VRLA replacement, the age and condition of the complete bank matter. Do not add one new battery to an ageing bank without an assessment. Arrange removal and recycling as part of the work.
What to send with an expansion enquiry
- Full battery and inverter model names and safely accessible serial numbers.
- Number of battery modules and approximate installation date.
- Recent monitoring screenshots showing daily loads, charging and overnight use.
- Details of the result you want: longer runtime, more output power, improved charging or different backup coverage.
- Ratings and intended operating times for proposed pumps, EV charging or other new loads.
- Any existing alarms, recurring shutdowns or known equipment damage.
What to confirm at handover after an upgrade
Ask for updated equipment records, reserve and operating settings, backup-circuit information, monitoring access and the correct shutdown/recovery instructions. Check that all installed modules appear as expected in the agreed monitoring view. Keep the new warranty and commissioning documents with the original records.
For battery-specific guidance, see BSL, ZYC, Pylontech US series, Deye and VRLA battery guides.