Battery Showdown: GoodWe vs Alpha ESS – Which One’s Right for Your Existing 6.6kW Solar System?
Already got solar on your roof? Smart move.
Now you’re thinking of adding a battery—and with electricity bills climbing and feed-in tariffs fading, it makes perfect sense.
Two of the most trusted systems for retrofitting a battery to your existing 6.6kW solar are:
Let’s break them down side-by-side—no tech jargon, just what matters.
Why Add a Battery Now?
- Store your solar energy for use at night
- Cut down your power bills
- Stay protected during blackouts
- Reduce your reliance on the grid
- Take advantage of federal STC rebates for battery storage
Important: For battery retrofits, only Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) apply.
There are no Solar Victoria or VEU rebates available for standalone battery installations.
The Face-Off: GoodWe vs Alpha ESS
| Feature | GoodWe Hybrid + 25.6kWh Battery | Alpha ESS Smile M5 + 25kWh Battery |
|---|---|---|
| Inverter Output | 5 kW Hybrid | 5 kW Hybrid |
| Battery Size | 25.6 kWh (modular) | 25 kWh (modular stackable) |
| Backup Power | Yes (manual switchover) | Yes (instant UPS-level backup) |
| Backup Wiring | Required (extra cost, optional) | Required (extra cost, optional) |
| Mobile Monitoring | SEMS Portal | AlphaCloud |
| Future Expansion | Limited (1.33x PV oversize) | High (up to 2x PV oversize) |
| Fire Safety Features | Standard | Built-in suppression |
| Warranty | 10 years (inverter + battery) | 10 years (inverter + battery) |
| Aesthetic and Design | Functional modular | Sleek and compact |
| VPP Compatibility | Not supported | VPP-ready |
Backup Power – Do You Want Peace of Mind?
Both systems offer battery backup during blackouts—but there’s a difference.
GoodWe provides solid backup to selected circuits, but there’s a short switchover delay.
Alpha ESS, on the other hand, switches to battery power in under 20 milliseconds. This is fast enough to keep your lights on, devices running, and Wi-Fi connected—without even noticing the grid dropped.
Want backup power? We’ll install a dedicated backup circuit to keep your fridge, lights, modem, and essentials powered when the grid is out.
This backup wiring setup is optional and charged separately based on your home’s layout. Just let us know what matters most to you, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Monitoring and Control
Both systems come with user-friendly mobile apps that let you track your energy usage, solar generation, and battery charge in real time.
- GoodWe uses the SEMS Portal
- Alpha ESS uses AlphaCloud, with a modern and intuitive dashboard
Rebates and Savings
Only STCs are available for these battery systems.
These help reduce the initial cost and are claimed at the time of installation through our GreenOz Solutions team.
No additional rebates such as Solar Victoria or VEU apply to battery-only retrofits at this time.
Our Recommendation
✅ Choose GoodWe if you:
- Want a reliable, cost-effective battery system
- Don’t need ultra-fast UPS backup
- Prefer a modular and straightforward design
✅ Choose Alpha ESS if you:
- Want blackout protection with zero interruption
- May expand your solar system in future
- Like the idea of joining a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) later
- Value smart design and added safety features
What GreenOz Delivers
- Free in-home battery assessment
- STC rebate processing
- Customised energy storage design
- Optional backup wiring setup tailored to your home
- Complete installation and app setup for real-time monitoring
Final Word
Adding a battery to your existing solar system is one of the smartest energy upgrades you can make.
Both GoodWe and Alpha ESS are trusted, efficient, and built to help you get more from your solar system in Victoria — day and night.
Let’s find the right fit for your home and energy goals.
📞 Contact GreenOz Solutions to get started.
Phone: 03 8753 8820
Email: sales@greenozsolutions.com.au
Website: www.greenozsolutions.com.au
