AlphaESS SMILE-G3 home batteries
Keeping an existing solar inverter and expanding an existing AlphaESS battery are different jobs. The SMILE-G3-B5 is an AC-coupled retrofit option; the SMILE-G3-S5 combines solar and storage in a hybrid design.
Which SMILE-G3 configuration am I comparing?
| Component | Published rating | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| SMILE-G3-S5 | 5 kW nominal output | Single-phase hybrid inverter for solar and storage |
| SMILE-G3-B5 | 5 kW nominal output | AC-coupled inverter for a battery retrofit |
| SMILE-G3-BAT-10.1P | 10.1 kWh nominal capacity | Battery module; storage rather than inverter output |
The module pictured is the battery, not an inverter. The full battery model, approved module count and usable energy belong on your quote.
Keeping an existing solar inverter
AlphaESS offers the single-phase SMILE-G3-B5 as an AC-coupled retrofit, while the SMILE-G3-S5 is a hybrid option. For an existing solar array, we first check whether retaining the current inverter makes sense and how the two systems would be monitored.
Expanding an existing AlphaESS battery
Start with the original installation date and photos of the inverter and battery model labels. SMILE is a product family, not a universal expansion connector. We confirm the approved module combination, space and warranty conditions before offering extra capacity.
Check what happens during an outage
An AC-coupled battery can be a good fit for an existing system, but backup is a separate design decision. Ask which circuits will run, how long they might run at your nominated load, and whether your existing panels can recharge the battery while the grid is down.
If you already have an AlphaESS system
A homeowner with a 5 kW inverter and roughly 10 kWh of storage may want a second pack because the battery empties before morning. First check whether the existing pack fills on ordinary winter days. Then check its model and age: another SMILE-branded module is not automatically a supported expansion.
With an AC-coupled retrofit, keeping the existing panels does not by itself guarantee they will operate during a grid outage. Ask which circuits are backed up, what output is available, and whether the original solar inverter can continue generating when isolated from the grid.
What will the installed system cost?
A useful AlphaESS quote separates the battery and inverter from switchboard work, backup wiring and commissioning. Ask for the total installed price, any eligible federal battery discount and the balance you pay. Future bill savings are a separate estimate, not a deduction from the invoice.
We check the proposed equipment and your property against the Clean Energy Regulator’s battery eligibility rules. We also identify the manufacturer’s warranty for the quoted model and who to contact for warranty support.
AlphaESS battery questions
AlphaESS product information · AlphaESS Australian product brochure (PDF)
Local installation and connection advice: Melbourne · Sydney.
