Outside the home
A suitable external wall may work well when the equipment is rated for outdoor use. The design must account for sunlight, rain, flooding, openings and service access.
A practical guide for Victorian homes
Big energy.
Smart placement.
Installed right.
Your home battery installation guide. Understand the clearances, choose a practical location and see how the cable run to your meter board affects your quote.
Discuss your installation ↗Explore the guide ↓
Location comes first
Every home has its own best fit.
An empty section of wall is only the starting point. The room behind it, nearby equipment, weather exposure and access all help determine whether a location is suitable.
Inside a garage
A garage may be an option after assessment. Vehicle impact, escape routes, wall construction and the manufacturer’s ventilation requirements need to be considered.
Near your meter board
A shorter practical route to the meter board can reduce cabling. Runs over the standard 2-metre allowance attract extra charges, with the scope quoted before proceeding.
A safe place for stored energy
Look beyond the wall.
Our installation assessment considers the whole area around the proposed battery position.
- Doors, windows and vents. Openings and escape routes affect where equipment can be placed.
- The room on the other side. A wall adjoining a living area may require additional protection.
- Gas and hot water equipment. Gas meters, regulator vents, cylinders, hot water units and flues need their own assessment.
- Space to work safely. Keep servicing access clear and consider vehicles, bins, stored items and water sources.
- The battery’s own instructions. Required spacing, temperature limits and mounting arrangements vary between products.
Illustration only. Not to scale and not a clearance diagram. Your installer confirms the layout and required separation distances.
Have a gas hot water unit nearby?
Send a wide photo showing the proposed battery position, hot water unit, flue and surrounding openings. A photo helps with planning; final acceptance needs the installer’s site assessment.
Send a wide photo showing the proposed battery position, hot water unit, flue and surrounding openings. A photo helps with planning; final acceptance needs the installer’s site assessment.
Living and sleeping areas
Bedrooms, lounges and similar living spaces are unsuitable battery locations. A study can also be a habitable room. The installer must assess adjoining rooms and relevant wall and opening requirements.
Garages and utility spaces
A non-habitable space is not automatically suitable. Access, hazards, construction, equipment requirements and applicable installation rules still need to be checked.
The measurements that matter
Clear space. Clear expectations.
These original Flexi Power illustrations explain key location checks for home batteries. Dimensions are minimums for the situations described; manufacturer requirements and the complete site design also apply.
01
Windows & ventilation
Allow at least 600 mm horizontally from the vertical side of a window or ventilation opening serving a habitable room. The restricted zone also extends below the opening.
02
Below an opening
Keep at least 900 mm below applicable openings. Exits with an opening width of 900 mm or less also have a 600 mm separation requirement and a restricted zone below.
03
Wall protection
Where a barrier is required behind the battery, provide at least 600 mm each side and 900 mm above. A battery on or within 300 mm of a wall adjoining a habitable room needs the wall construction assessed. Corners and low ceilings may require the protection to continue around them.
04
Garage openings & escape
Openings wider than 900 mm have different provisions from narrow exits. Maintain the required safe egress; corridors, hallways and lobbies need at least 1,000 mm. Vehicle impact protection may also be required.
Read the dimensions with their conditions. All drawings are explanatory and not to scale. They do not show every restricted zone or certify a location. Fixed appliances unrelated to the battery generally need 600 mm horizontal separation and must be outside the restricted zone 900 mm above the battery. Associated inverter equipment is treated differently. Gas equipment, flues and meter vents need additional checks; a wall barrier does not automatically remove those requirements.
Technical basis: AS/NZS 5139:2019 including Amendment 1:2025; Clean Energy Regulator solar battery inspection checklist (July 2026), pp. 23–26; ERAC installation guidance, read with the amended standard.
Location affects installation cost
Closer to the meter board.
Less cable to run.
The further your battery and inverter installation is from the meter board, the more cabling may be needed—and that can add to your installation cost.
We measure the practical cable route, including rises, corners and any difficult access, rather than only the straight-line distance.
2 m
Standard cable-run allowance
Cable runs over 2 metres to the meter board attract extra charges. The route, cable size and additional work are assessed and quoted before proceeding.
Your accepted quote and current installation inclusions confirm the scope for your property. A safe, compliant position takes priority over minimising cable length.
Check installation inclusions ↗Illustration only · Route and connection arrangement depend on the site. The installer confirms the electrical connection point and any required board work.
From enquiry to handover
A clear plan, before the work begins.
Understand your home
Share your electricity bill, existing solar details and photos so we can discuss system size, location and backup needs.
Confirm the design
We arrange the relevant technical assessment and approvals. Your quote sets out the equipment, scope and any agreed extras.
Install and check
The installation team fits and tests the system. Required inspection and connection steps are completed as applicable.
Know your system
Receive your handover information, shutdown instructions and warranty details, plus monitoring setup where included.
A little preparation helps
Show us the bigger picture.
Clear photos help us identify questions early and provide a more accurate installation scope.
- A wide view of the proposed battery area and nearby doors or windows.
- Your meter board, with covers closed.
- Your existing inverter label and solar system details, if available.
- Nearby gas or hot water equipment and the access path.
- An approximate cable route and distance to the meter board.
Please do not remove electrical covers or approach unsafe equipment to take photos.
Common questions
Before you choose your spot.
How far must the battery be from a gas hot water system?
There is no single distance that suits every arrangement. The installer needs to identify the hot water appliance, flue, gas equipment and proposed battery and inverter positions, then apply the relevant electrical, gas and manufacturer requirements. Do not treat a general battery clearance as approval for gas equipment.
Can a battery go below a window?
For applicable windows and ventilation openings serving a habitable room, the location checks include 600 mm horizontally from the vertical side and 900 mm below. The installer must confirm the opening type, room served and complete layout. See the clearance illustrations above.
Does a brick wall mean no additional protection is needed?
Not automatically. The installer must assess the complete wall construction, the room behind it and the applicable requirements. Where a protective barrier is required, its material and extent must suit the compliant design.
Can the battery be installed away from the meter board?
Yes, subject to the site design. Longer routes generally need more cable and can add labour and material costs. Our standard cable-run allowance to the meter board is 2 metres; longer runs attract extra charges, quoted before proceeding. The installer also confirms cable sizing, electrical performance and the connection arrangement.
Will my entire home work during a blackout?
Only if the selected system and installation are designed for that purpose. Some systems support selected circuits, while others can support a broader backup arrangement. Available power, supply phases, appliance starting loads and stored energy all affect what can run. Your quote should state the agreed backup scope.
Can I add a battery to my existing solar?
Often, but the approach depends on your existing inverter, solar configuration, electrical supply and the proposed equipment. We assess compatibility before recommending a system or changes to your installation.
Who confirms that the proposed location is suitable?
The appropriately qualified designer and installer must confirm the site-specific design against the current applicable standards, Victorian requirements, network conditions and manufacturer instructions. This guide helps you prepare; it does not approve an installation location.
Let’s find the right fit for your home.
Tell us about your property, existing solar and what you want your battery to do. We’ll help you take the next step.
General planning information, prepared October 2026. Installation must follow the current applicable standards, including AS/NZS 5139 and amendments, other relevant electrical and gas requirements, and manufacturer instructions.
Further reading: CER inspection checklistEnergy Safe VictoriaSolar Victoria buyer’s guide