Off The Grid

Off The Grid

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Off The Grid episodes

  • #020 - How Long Does Your Solar and Battery Really Last?

    Book your free energy audit 👉🏻 https://use.sourceenergygroup.com.au/pod-ep20

    In this new episode, Jason and Cam explain why a 10‑year battery warranty doesn’t tell the full story and what really determines how long your system lasts.

    ◼️ What a 6000 cycle warranty actually means

    ◼️ How daily usage changes battery lifespan

    ◼️ Why installation location impacts performance

    Timestamps:

    00:00:00 Introduction

    00:02:09 Why Usage Patterns Change Lifespan

    00:02:19 Oversizing Batteries To Extend Life

    00:02:44 6000 Cycles Equals 16 Years

    00:03:22 Factoring In Degradation

    00:05:10 Why Location And Installation Matter

    00:06:33 Heat And Sunlight Impact Performance

    00:07:17 Installer Responsibility For Placement

    00:08:02 Protecting Batteries With Covers

    00:09:01 Why Warranties Assume Worst Case

    00:09:28 Extra Protection Extends Lifespan

    00:09:49 Poor Installation Shortens Battery Life

    00:10:18 Impact Of Older Solar Systems

    00:11:19 Full Charge And Discharge Best Practice

    00:11:43 Correct System Sizing With Panels

    00:12:21 Oversized And Undersized Battery Issues

    00:14:27 Incentives Distorting Battery Design

    00:14:44 Why Design And Support Matter

    00:15:22 Asking The Right Questions

    00:15:26 Some Batteries Offer 10,000 Cycles

    00:15:42 Why Payback Period Isn’t Everything

    00:15:59 Reality Of Longer Lifespans

    00:16:36 Planning For ROI Beyond Warranty

    00:17:16 Final Thoughts And Battery Rankings

    Follow Source Energy Group:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sourceenergygroup.solar

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sourceenergygroup.solar/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sourceenergygroup

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/123473935/

    18 min
  • #019 - How He Reduced His Power Bills From $600 to $50

    Book your free energy audit 👉🏻 https://use.sourceenergygroup.com.au/pod-ep19

    In this new episode, Jason and Cam sit down with Bob to break down how adding a 16.6kWh battery to his existing 8.6kW solar system cut his grid use to almost nothing and dropped his quarterly bill from $600 to around $50.

    You'll hear:

    ◼️ Why his old solar setup wasn’t enough

    ◼️ How the 16.6kWh battery changed his grid usage

    ◼️ Real consumption data from his SEMS portal

    ◼️ How he uses heating and appliances to maximise savings

    ◼️ Why correct system design beats cookie‑cutter quotes

    Timestamps:

    00:00:00 Introduction

    00:01:27 Installing the 16.6kWh Battery

    00:03:40 Reviewing His SEMS Portal Data

    00:04:51 Battery Levels During Cold Months

    00:05:41 Designing the System Around Real Usage

    00:06:48 Why 16–24kWh Batteries Fit Similar Homes

    00:07:03 How Feedback Reduced His Bill to $80

    00:08:26 His Thoughts on Joe and Customer Support

    00:09:52 Why Source Energy Started the Business

    00:11:03 Generator Setup and Backup Options

    00:12:24 Reconfiguring for On-grid Generator Charging

    00:15:58 Why System Design Must Be Personalised

    00:21:21 Payback Period vs Rising Power Prices

    00:23:36 Taking Action Today vs Waiting

    00:31:33 Low-usage Household Benefits

    Follow Source Energy Group:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sourceenergygroup.solar

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sourceenergygroup.solar/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sourceenergygroup

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/123473935/

    37 min
  • #018 - Answering Every Single Solar Question You Have In 24 Minutes

    Book your free energy audit 👉🏻 https://use.sourceenergygroup.com.au/pod-ep18

    In this episode, Jason, Cam and Delphi rapid‑fire through the most common solar questions homeowners ask, breaking down panel sizing, battery choices and why proper design matters for every household.

    This episode covers:

    ◼️ Understanding real household usage

    ◼️ Sizing panels and batteries correctly

    ◼️ Charging speeds and inverter limits

    ◼️ How long batteries actually last

    ◼️ Choosing the right battery for your home

    Timestamps:

    00:00:00 Introduction

    00:00:54 Is 10kWh Enough?

    00:01:34 Panels Needed for 10kWh Battery

    00:02:48 Price Comparisons

    00:03:29 Charging a 10kWh Battery from the Grid

    00:04:25 How Long a Powerwall Runs a Home

    00:05:25 Panels vs Batteries

    00:06:37 Do You Really Need a Battery?

    00:08:15 Best Battery for Home Solar

    00:09:18 Disadvantages of Solar Batteries

    00:10:23 Cost of a 13.5kWh Battery

    00:12:30 Panels Needed for 13.5kWh Battery

    00:14:54 How Long a 13.5kWh Battery Lasts

    00:17:41 Real Household Usage Example

    00:18:31 Cost of a 13kW Solar System with Battery

    00:19:58 Runtime of a 13.5kWh Battery

    00:21:26 Lithium-ion vs LiFePO4

    00:22:42 Why Proper Design Matters

    00:23:42 Industry Improvements

    00:24:11 Final Site Inspection Process

    00:24:36 Closing Remarks

    Follow Source Energy Group:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sourceenergygroup.solar

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sourceenergygroup.solar/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sourceenergygroup

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/123473935/

    25 min
  • #017 - Watch Us Live Fix This Electricity Bill In 26 Minutes

    Book your free energy audit 👉🏻 https://use.sourceenergygroup.com.au/pod-ep17

    In this new episode, Jason and Cam sit down with a real household power bill and break it down line by line, showing exactly where the money goes and how a properly designed solar‑and‑battery setup changes the numbers.

    This episode covers:

    ◼️ Breaking down a real household bill

    ◼️ Understanding daily supply charges

    ◼️ Reading actual usage and kWh patterns

    ◼️ Comparing solar-only and solar‑plus‑battery setups

    ◼️ Exploring future electrification impacts

    Timestamps:

    00:00:00 Introduction

    00:00:23 - Breaking Down a Real Electricity Bill

    00:00:44 - Understanding the Components of Your Bill

    00:01:15 - Daily Supply Charges Explained

    00:02:10 - Importance of the Supply Charge

    00:03:02 - Calculating the Supply Charge

    00:04:06 - Designing a Solar System for Your Home

    00:05:10 - Import and Export from the Grid

    00:06:00 - Daily Average Usage

    00:07:05 - Daytime vs. Nighttime Usage

    00:08:01 - General Usage Charges

    00:09:03 - Matching Bill Data with Usage

    00:10:08 - Consumption Graph and Production Target

    00:11:13 - Designing the Solar System

    00:12:01 - Panel Placement and Roof Capacity

    00:13:08 - Solar Production vs. Consumption

    00:14:03 - Adding Battery Storage

    00:15:07 - Battery Modules and Supply Charge

    00:16:00 - Future-Proofing with Battery Storage

    00:17:05 - Virtual Power Plant (VPP) Benefits

    00:18:05 - Return on Investment

    00:19:30 - Infrastructure and Compliance Checks

    00:20:24 - Future Electrification Considerations

    00:21:07 - Impact of Future Additions on Bill

    00:22:23 - Adjusting for Future Usage

    00:23:31 - Comparing Current and Future Bills

    00:24:12 - Impact of Rate Increases

    Follow Source Energy Group:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sourceenergygroup.solar

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sourceenergygroup.solar/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sourceenergygroup

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/123473935/

    27 min
  • #016 - 5 Worst Solar System Design Mistakes Homeowners Make

    Book your free energy audit 👉🏻 https://use.sourceenergygroup.com.au/pod-ep16

    Bad solar design can cost you more than having no system at all. In this episode, Jason, Cam and Delphi break down the five most common design mistakes, how they happen, and what to check before anyone installs a system on your roof.

    ◼️ 5 Worst Design Mistakes

    ◼️ How To Avoid Bad Solar Installs

    ◼️ Full Home Backup Explained

    Timestamps:

    00:00:00 Introduction

    00:01:24 - Mistake 1: Choice of Company

    00:01:36 - Mistake 2: Shading Issues

    00:02:20 - Explanation of Shading and Hot Spots

    00:03:07 - Role of Optimizers in Solar Systems

    00:03:49 - Misconceptions About Optimizers

    00:05:04 - Importance of Proper System Design for Shaded Areas

    00:06:00 - Mistake 3: Not Assessing Property's Max Demand

    00:07:05 - Impact of Air Conditioning and Three-Phase Power

    00:08:08 - Future-Proofing for EVs and Other Technology

    00:09:10 - Seasonal Usage Trends and Their Impact

    00:10:52 - Planning for Future Electrical Purchases

    00:12:25 - Mistake 4: Off-Grid and EPS Backup Requirements

    00:13:47 - Full Home Backup vs. Partial Backup

    00:15:32 - Detailed Explanation of Full Home Backup

    00:17:59 - Importance of Proper Sizing for Backup Systems

    00:18:27 - Managing Usage During Power Outages

    00:18:38 - Clarifying Off-Grid Backup Capabilities

    00:19:39 - Benefits of Goodwe ESA and Panel Oversizing

    00:21:12 - Undersized Systems and Government Rebates

    00:22:14 - New South Wales 0% Interest Loans

    00:25:14 - Comparison: Goodwe ESA vs. Sungrow SPH

    00:26:04 - SIG Energy Systems and Future Developments

    00:27:04 - Micro-Inverter Systems and Their Use Cases

    00:28:00 - Recap and Key Questions to Ask Your Installer

    Follow Source Energy Group:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sourceenergygroup.solar

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sourceenergygroup.solar/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sourceenergygroup

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/123473935/

    30 min
  • #015 - $10k Vs $20k Vs $30k Solar Quotes (Which Is better?)

    Book your free energy audit 👉🏻 https://use.sourceenergygroup.com.au/pod-ep15

    In this episode, Jason, Cam and Delphi break down why three solar quotes for the same home can vary wildly in price. They explain what you actually get at the $10k, $20k and $30k levels, how product quality and company structure affect long‑term costs, and why the cheapest quote often becomes the most expensive mistake down the track.

    They cover brand‑ambassador style companies, subcontractor‑level installs, and full‑service providers with proper after‑sales support. The team also unpack the risks of battery‑only installs, ownership transfer, compliance issues, and the “poor man pays twice” problem that shows up in real customer stories.

    ◼️ $10k vs $20k vs $30k Quote Breakdown

    ◼️ Why Cheap Solar Costs More Later

    ◼️ How To Compare Quotes Properly

    Timestamps:

    00:00:00 Introduction

    00:01:09 - Understanding Price Differences in Solar Quotes

    00:01:45 - The Low-End $10K Solar Quote

    00:02:07 - The Mid-Range $20K Solar Quote

    00:02:30 - The High-End $30K Solar Quote

    00:03:02 - Comparing Quotes: Are They the Same System?

    00:03:44 - Real-Life Example: Ellen's Client Experience

    00:05:43 - Importance of Understanding Your Needs

    00:06:13 - The Cookie Cutter Approach in Solar Quotes

    00:07:10 - Hidden Costs in Lower-End Quotes

    00:08:08 - Long-Term Costs and Risks of Low-End Quotes

    00:09:01 - The Blame Game: Issues with Low-End Installers

    00:10:23 - Misconceptions About Adding Batteries to Existing Systems

    00:11:44 - Real-Life Example: Uncle Shane's Experience

    00:12:54 - Risks and Rewards of Cheaper Systems

    00:13:39 - Designing the Right System for Your Needs

    00:14:50 - Changing the Stigma Around Solar

    00:15:07 - Customer Satisfaction and Reviews

    00:16:55 - Final Advice: Understanding Price Differences

    Follow Source Energy Group:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sourceenergygroup.solar

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sourceenergygroup.solar/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sourceenergygroup

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/123473935/

    20 min
  • #014 - How We Chopped Randall’s Power Bills

    Book your free energy audit 👉🏻 https://use.sourceenergygroup.com.au/pod-ep14

    In this episode, Jason and Cam sit down with Randall, a Source Energy client whose quarterly power bill dropped from $990 to just $100, a 90% reduction in one install. They break down how a 15.2 kW system with the right battery setup transformed his household, why roof space limitations didn’t stop the savings, and how proper design makes the difference between “just panels” and a complete solution.

    You'll hear:

    ◼️ How Randall Cut His Bills By 90%

    ◼️ Why Battery Design Matters More Than Size

    ◼️ Living Comfortably With Solar And Battery

    Timestamps:

    00:00:00 Introduction

    00:00:04 Cutting Randall’s Bill By 90 Percent

    00:00:09 Roof Space Limitations And System Size

    00:00:25 Jason And Cam Introduce Source Energy

    00:00:32 Randall Joins The Episode

    00:01:05 First Meeting With Cam

    00:01:19 Why Randall Considered Solar

    00:01:36 Batteries As The Missing Piece

    00:02:04 Brother’s Research And Influence

    00:02:29 Wife’s Role In The Decision

    00:02:38 Return On Investment Matters

    00:03:14 Discovering The True Power Bill

    00:03:59 Annual Cost Of $4000

    00:04:35 Solar Panels Alone Are Half The Solution

    00:05:07 Why Household Usage Patterns Matter

    00:06:14 Living Comfortably With Air Conditioning

    00:07:15 Emotional Impact Of Using Power Freely

    00:08:05 Comparing With Other Clients’ Experiences

    00:09:01 Lifestyle Benefits Beyond Savings

    00:09:36 Randall’s Bill Now Down To $100

    00:10:05 Using Solar And Battery Without Guilt

    00:11:01 Air Conditioning Efficiency Insights

    00:12:09 System Design And Roof Space Limits

    00:13:12 Choosing The Bigger Battery For Long‑Term Value

    00:13:49 Preparing For Electric Vehicles

    00:14:52 Battery Rebates And Early Adopters

    00:15:31 Randall’s Review Of The Installation Crew

    00:16:09 Comparing With Brother’s Poor Experience

    00:17:27 Industry Stigma And Service Quality

    00:18:49 Randall’s Positive Experience With The Team

    00:19:00 Using The Monitoring App

    00:19:37 Real‑Time Data And Rewards

    00:20:25 Battery Performance On Overcast Days

    00:20:53 Exploring VPP And Globird Options

    00:22:03 Exporting Power And Small Daily Earnings

    00:23:09 Other Providers Like Amber

    00:23:57 Political And Infrastructure Considerations

    00:25:05 Is Solar A Scam?

    00:25:13 Why Solar Without A Battery Falls Short

    00:25:32 Adding A Battery Makes Solar Work

    00:25:39 Fuel Costs Compared To Power Bills

    00:26:08 Solar And Battery For EV Charging

    Follow Source Energy Group:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sourceenergygroup.solar

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sourceenergygroup.solar/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sourceenergygroup

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/123473935/

    31 min
  • #013 -Solar Panels Are NOT Worth It (Without THIS)

    Book your free energy audit 👉🏻 https://use.sourceenergygroup.com.au/pod-ep13

    In this new episode, Jason and Cam sit down with Samantha Delphin to break down why solar panels on their own are not the full answer. They explain why so many homeowners still end up with a power bill even after installing panels, how export limits and collapsing feed‑in tariffs make panel‑only systems underperform, and why a correctly sized battery is now essential for real savings.

    They also cover rising supply charges, the impact of the three‑hours‑free‑power plans, the myths around solar being a “rip‑off”, and how proper system design eliminates the issues most people complain about.

    ◼️ Why Panel‑Only Systems Fail

    ◼️ How A Battery Turns Solar Into Real Savings

    ◼️ The Truth About Feed‑In Tariffs And Export Limits

    Timestamps:

    00:00:00 Introduction

    00:01:00 Supply Charge and Usage Rate Increases

    00:01:26 Why Solar Seems “Not Worth It” Without a Battery

    00:02:04 Feed‑In Tariff Collapse

    00:02:30 Export Limits on Single‑Phase Homes

    00:03:00 Daytime Export vs Night‑Time Costs

    00:03:17 How a Battery Restores Real Savings

    00:04:06 Rising Daily Supply Charges

    00:04:36 Three Hours of Free Power Discussion

    00:05:39 Using Free Power with a Battery

    00:06:08 Why Some Homeowners Think Solar Is a Rip‑Off

    00:06:31 Common Design Mistakes

    00:07:07 Correct System Design Eliminates the Issues

    00:07:36 Partial Savings Still Increase Over Time

    00:08:14 Why Education Around Batteries Matters

    00:08:31 Misconceptions from Advertising and Sales Tactics

    00:09:32 Reviews, Trust and Industry Stigma

    00:10:00 Fake Reviews and Industry Noise

    00:11:18 Solar Is a Power Generation Unit, Not Just a Bill Saver

    00:11:55 Risks of Poor System Design

    00:12:13 Commission‑Driven Sales vs Proper Design

    00:13:03 Tailor‑Made Systems for Each Home

    00:13:50 Solar Is Not a Scam When Done Right

    00:14:07 Why You Must Capitalise on Rebates

    00:14:26 Solar and Battery Rebates Dropping

    00:14:31 Power Prices Rising While Rebates Fall

    00:14:55 Waiting Only Makes It More Expensive

    00:15:11 Solar and Batteries Are Worth It When Designed Properly

    Follow Source Energy Group:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sourceenergygroup.solar

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sourceenergygroup.solar/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sourceenergygroup

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/123473935/

    16 min
  • #012 - Government Solar Rebates Reduced! (Is Solar Still Worth It?)

    Book your free energy audit 👉🏻 https://use.sourceenergygroup.com.au/pod-ep12

    In this new episode, Jason and Cam sit down with Ellen to break down what’s actually happening with the government’s solar and battery rebates, why they’re being reduced, and whether homeowners should be worried. They unpack the new tiered rebate structure, explain how 0% interest plans and bill‑relief measures offset reductions, and answer the big question: does solar still make financial sense in 2026?

    ◼️ Why Rebates Are Dropping And What It Really Means

    ◼️ How The New Tiered Battery Rebate Works

    ◼️ Is Solar Still Worth It With Rising Supply Charges?

    Timestamps:

    00:00:00 Introduction

    00:00:34 What Happens When Funding Changes

    00:00:44 Are Solar & Battery Rebates Ending?

    00:01:23 Why The Budget Was Reduced

    00:02:41 Big Bulky Battery Installs

    00:02:43 Rebate Reduction Timeline

    00:03:10 New Tiered Battery Rebate Explained

    00:03:36 Large Battery Owners Still Eligible

    00:04:32 Solar Rebate Annual Reduction

    00:04:59 Combined Solar + Battery Rebates

    00:05:13 How Rebates Actually Work

    00:06:32 Installer Claims & STC Rules

    00:06:42 Confusion: $0 Upfront Vs Rebate

    00:07:57 Bill Relief Measures After Rebate Drops

    00:08:55 Why Bills Change: Usage Vs Dollar Value

    00:09:45 Government Bill Credits & Hidden Costs

    00:10:25 Usage Down, Bills Up Example

    00:10:34 What Happens If Government Changes

    00:11:14 Why Solar Still Makes Financial Sense

    00:11:36 Rebate Vs Feed‑In Tariff Confusion

    00:12:19 Export Rates Dropping To 2 Cents

    00:12:38 Early Adopters Losing 44c Tariff Soon

    00:13:04 Why Upsizing Now Makes More Sense

    00:13:35 Supply Charge Increases

    00:14:24 Daily Supply Vs Usage Charge Changes

    00:15:23 Why Customers Must Shop Around

    00:15:53 Insurance Replacements & Tariff Confusion

    00:16:46 Human Nature: Want Vs Need

    00:17:26 Solar “Scam” Misconceptions

    00:17:46 Federal Vs State Rebates

    00:18:39 Federal Rebate Reductions Until 2030

    00:19:25 Underselling Batteries Under New Rules

    00:19:51 Why The New Rebate Model Is A Double‑Edged Sword

    00:20:41 Grid‑Tied Vs Off‑Grid Systems

    00:21:12 Off‑Grid Eligibility For Rebates

    00:22:48 Off‑Grid Equipment Requirements

    00:23:10 Rural Properties & Export Limitations

    00:24:05 When Should Homeowners Act?

    00:24:23 Why Waiting Costs More

    Follow Source Energy Group:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sourceenergygroup.solar

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sourceenergygroup.solar/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sourceenergygroup

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/123473935/

    25 min
  • #011 - Top 4 Best Solar Batteries Going In 2026

    Book your free energy audit 👉🏻 https://use.sourceenergygroup.com.au/pod-ep11

    In this new episode, Jason and Cam sit down with Braden to break down the top four solar batteries homeowners should be considering in 2026. They compare performance, safety, and design across leading brands, explaining what makes each system stand out and how choosing the wrong one could cost thousands in lost efficiency.

    ◼️ The top four batteries for 2026 and how they compare

    ◼️ Why the GoodWe ESA leads for safety and whole‑home backup

    ◼️ How installation design and support differ across brands

    Timestamps:

    00:00:00 Introduction

    00:00:38 Why Batteries Aren’t All The Same

    00:01:00 AC‑Coupled Vs DC‑Coupled Vs All‑In‑One

    00:01:16 Braden’s ESA System And Why It Stands Out

    00:01:42 Top Four Batteries For 2026

    00:02:24 Why GoodWe ESA Is Ranked Number One

    00:03:02 GoodWe Vs Sig Energy Whole‑Home Backup Differences

    00:03:44 Fire Suppression And Safety Design

    00:04:42 Why Installation Cleanliness And Layout Matter

    00:07:03 Why Mixing Old Solar With New Batteries Causes Issues

    00:08:14 String Trackers And Design Flexibility

    00:09:20 SunGrow Inverter And Battery Setup

    00:10:12 Why Inverter Choice Is Critical

    00:11:06 Placement Rules For Windows, Exits And Wall Space

    00:12:00 Stackability And Future Expansion

    00:13:12 Sig Energy Price Drops And Gateway Changes

    00:14:02 Wall‑Space Comparison: ESA Vs Cheaper Batteries

    00:15:59 Sig Energy Strengths And Off‑Grid Capability

    00:17:19 Why ESA Overtook Sig Energy In 2026

    00:18:00 Solax In The Off‑Grid Market

    00:20:11 SunGrow EPS Backup Vs Whole‑Home Backup

    00:21:24 ESA Whole‑Home Backup Performance In Outages

    00:22:42 Why Australian‑Based Support Matters

    00:25:07 GoodWe Support And Transparency

    Follow Source Energy Group:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sourceenergygroup.solar

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sourceenergygroup.solar/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sourceenergygroup

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/123473935/

    31 min

About Off The Grid

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Welcome to Off The Grid, the Source Energy Group podcast hosted by Jason Cooke and Cam Fitch.

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