Beating the Strata Monster: Our Three-Year Battle for Solar and Battery Power
For years, we’ve been talking about how solar and batteries can slash electricity bills, protect businesses from rising costs, and even keep the lights on during blackouts. But what happens when you want to go solar — and your own building says no?
That’s exactly the situation we faced. Despite educating thousands of Australians about the benefits of renewables, our own team was stuck in a strata complex that treated solar like it was contraband.
This is the story of how it took 1,270 days — more than three years — to get approval for our solar and battery system. Along the way, we learned valuable lessons about Australia’s broken strata rules, the importance of persistence, and why choosing a reliable technology partner like Sungrow makes all the difference.
The Strata Struggle
If you’ve ever dealt with strata, you’ll know it can feel like a mafia-run cartel. Bureaucracy. Delays. Endless meetings.
We started with a simple letter: “Dear Strata, we’d like to install solar and battery.”
The reply? “Sorry, your system could damage common property. Not happening.”
Our only option was to change the constitution, which meant:
Hiring a lawyer (around $1,000).
Waiting for the next AGM — eight months away.
Risking that someone might “forget” to add it to the agenda (which actually happened).
Meanwhile, electricity bills stacked up — more than $24,000 over three years, with prices rising another 20% every year.
Eventually, after years of pushing, schmoozing neighbours, and fighting through endless delays, we finally got approval.
Why Sungrow Was Our Choice
Once we had the green light, the next decision was obvious: find the right installer and the right technology partner. That’s when we turned to Inspire Energy, which recommended Sungrow.
Here’s why:
1. Over 12 Years in Australia
Sungrow has been here for more than a decade (28 years globally), with over 400,000 systems installed nationwide. In 2025, SunWiz named Sungrow the No.1 inverter and residential battery brand in Australia. That long-term commitment and proven track record were critical for us.
2. Proven Global Leader
Worldwide, Sungrow is the #1 PV inverter brand, with more than 520 GW deployed in over 180 countries. That scale translates into reliability — they’ve seen every problem and solved it.
3. Excellent Hybrid Inverter Options
The Sungrow hybrid range (like the SH5.0RS and SH10RS) is known for high efficiency, easy installation, and smooth integration with both batteries and panels.
4. Flexible, Modular Battery Expansion
Their SBR high-voltage battery series can expand from 9.6 kWh to 25.6 kWh. For us, we started with 20 kWh but knew we could add more later without redesigning the system.
5. Local Australian Service Team
Sungrow has a dedicated 90+ person team in Australia to handle technical support, warranty claims, and installer assistance. When you’re investing in long-term infrastructure, that local backup matters more than flashy marketing.
6. Industry-Leading Efficiency
Sungrow’s hybrid inverters deliver over 98% efficiency, meaning almost no solar energy is wasted. For businesses paying thousands in power bills, every percentage point counts.
7. Built-In Backup Capability
The system comes with automatic switchover in under 10 milliseconds. During a blackout in Western Sydney, over a thousand local businesses shut down. We didn’t even notice — our Sungrow system kept everything running.
8. Smart Monitoring with iSolarCloud
The iSolarCloud app gives real-time insight into solar generation, battery status, and grid interaction. For business owners, that transparency helps optimise usage and savings.
9. Strong 10-Year Warranties
Both Sungrow inverters and batteries come with 10-year warranties, offering long-term peace of mind.
10. Great Value for Money
Compared to “premium” brands, Sungrow offers world-class reliability at an affordable price point. For us, the balance of cost and performance was unbeatable.
The Numbers That Made It Work
With a 13.3 kW solar system and 20 kWh Sungrow battery, our payback period is around 4 years. After that, we’re projected to save $7,000–$8,000 per year. Over 10–12 years, that’s nearly $80,000 saved — not to mention protection from blackouts.
Even better, Sungrow’s modular design means we can expand capacity later, especially if our energy needs grow.
Lessons for Businesses in Strata
If your business operates in a strata complex, here’s what we learned:
Expect delays. Strata moves at a glacial pace. Be patient and persistent.
Invest in relationships. Be the “nice neighbour” — goodwill matters when it’s time for a vote.
Get expert installers. Companies like Inspire Energy know how to navigate strata hurdles.
Choose reliable technology. A trusted brand like Sungrow saves endless headaches later.
Final Thoughts
Our battle with strata was exhausting — but in the end, worth it. Now, instead of being held hostage to spiralling energy bills, we’re producing clean power, storing it, and keeping our business running even during blackouts.
If you’re considering solar and batteries for your business, especially in a strata setup, our advice is simple: go bigger, go quality, and go Sungrow.
Because when you’re investing in your business’s future, cutting corners is never the answer.
