Why Monitoring and Servicing Your Solar and Battery System Matters More Than Ever
As Australia moves into the next big chapter of solar energy adoption, the spotlight is shifting beyond installation. With over 4 million residential systems already in place and a massive federal battery rebate rolling out from July 1, 2025, proper maintenance and performance monitoring have never been more critical. We spoke with David Pethick, President of Omnidian Australia, to explore why high-quality post-installation service is essential to the future of solar.
From the US to Australia: Bringing Service-Led Solar Support
Omnidian began in Seattle in 2016, founded by solar and finance industry veterans who saw a gap in the market: no one was investing in solar system performance after installation. In the US, where installation costs are triple those in Australia, ensuring asset performance is crucial. Omnidian scaled by building a powerful AI-backed monitoring platform called Resolve, capable of diagnosing faults across various inverter brands.
Pethick joined Omnidian after leading AGL’s venture investments and has helped grow the Australian arm since day one. The company’s acquisition of Solar Service Guys has given it national reach, warehousing, in-house technicians, and a logistics network to deliver field service at scale.
Why Post-Install Support Is Broken — and How to Fix It
Solar retailers in Australia typically focus on sales and installs, not long-term system care. Many don’t have dedicated service departments or rely on overwhelmed teams. Omnidian provides a scalable alternative: bundled proactive monitoring and field service for a fixed monthly fee per asset. Retailers offload service burdens while offering customers 24/7 support, keeping them happy and protecting their Google reviews.
“A big chunk of 1-star reviews come not from bad installs, but from poor after-sales service,” Pethick explains. “We help turn those into 5-star experiences.”
Batteries Change Everything
With batteries becoming the norm in new solar installations, complexity is increasing. Systems need to be monitored not just for generation, but for charge/discharge behaviour, grid compliance, and backup functionality.
“People aren’t buying solar to decorate their homes,” says Pethick. “They’re buying an outcome. That outcome depends on the system working for 10 to 20 years.”
Monitoring systems like Omnidian’s can remotely diagnose over 50% of service tickets without a site visit. For those that require one, their tech identifies the likely issue, tools needed, and allows a one-visit resolution. This saves time and cost for retailers and OEMs.
Serving Solar Retailers, Manufacturers, and Consumers
Omnidian works with three groups:
Solar retailers: They manage post-install care, warranty claims, and performance testing.
OEMs (manufacturers): They provide tech support, on-site service, and brand representation.
Commercial clients: While still a smaller segment in Australia, commercial demand for independent support is growing, especially as large-scale batteries roll out.
Their model avoids conflicts of interest: Omnidian doesn’t sell or install, so recommendations are based solely on what’s best for the customer.
Why Values Alignment Matters
Omnidian is selective about its partners. “If you’re just here to sell cheap systems fast, we’re not interested,” Pethick says. Instead, they work with retailers and OEMs who want to build long-term reputations. When quality installs are paired with quality after-sales care, everyone wins.
Even OEMs exiting the Australian market, like SENEC, rely on Omnidian to fulfil their warranty obligations and keep customers supported.
The Role of AI in Smarter Solar Maintenance
Omnidian’s platform uses AI to continuously learn from its portfolio of over 35,000 assets. It builds “digital twins” of each system to compare expected vs. actual performance. Operators receive intelligent diagnostics and insights, supported by a proprietary knowledge base.
They haven’t opened this AI to consumers directly, preferring to keep trained service staff in the loop. “Letting customers follow AI prompts on live batteries is a disaster waiting to happen,” says Pethick.
Why Monitoring Should Be Standard
Too many solar systems go unmonitored because the homeowner loses interest in the app, or no one tracks production. “It’s like having a beautiful backyard and letting the weeds take over,” Pethick says. Systems can fail quietly—or even be misconfigured from day one—without anyone knowing.
Omnidian offers proactive communication: emails or calls to let customers know everything’s working or flag issues early. It’s not just support—it’s peace of mind.
The Bottom Line
With a $2.3 billion federal rebate injecting serious growth into the solar battery market, robust after-sales service is no longer optional. It’s essential.
If you’re a solar retailer or OEM feeling the pressure of rapid growth, Omnidian provides the infrastructure to scale without sacrificing service. And for homeowners investing in solar and batteries, choosing a provider who offers back-to-base monitoring and real after-sales care could mean the difference between long-term savings and costly disappointment.
