It depends on your actual electricity usage, not a rule of thumb. Jack sizes every system from your real interval data — the half-hourly consumption figures from your smart meter — so the system matches how and when you use power. A typical bayside home lands somewhere between 6.6kW and 13kW, but the right answer is specific to your household. More on our solar installations.

Most residential solar installations are completed in a single day. Larger systems or jobs that include a battery or switchboard upgrade may run into a second day. Jack will confirm the timeline when quoting.

Yes. Solar panels typically carry a 25-year product warranty and a 25–30 year performance warranty from the manufacturer. Inverters usually come with a 10-year warranty, sometimes extendable to 15. Jack only installs CEC-approved products, and as the retailer on every job, your warranty claim goes through Jack Jones Electrical directly — not a call centre.

A feed-in tariff (FiT) is what your electricity retailer pays you for solar energy you export back to the grid. Rates vary by retailer and plan but are generally between 3–7 cents per kWh in Victoria. It’s modest income, which is why Jack designs systems to maximise self-consumption — using your solar as it’s generated — rather than relying on export credits.

Not necessarily. Solar on its own will reduce your daytime electricity costs significantly. A battery makes sense if you use a lot of power in the evening, if you’re on a time-of-use tariff with expensive peak rates, or if you want backup during outages. Jack will model the numbers from your actual usage data so you can see whether a battery stacks up financially before committing. More on battery storage.

A typical home battery system (around 9–10kWh) installed ranges from roughly $10,000 to $15,000 depending on the brand, capacity and whether your switchboard or existing solar system needs any modifications. Jack provides itemised quotes so you can see exactly what you’re paying for.

In most cases, yes. It depends on your current inverter — some are battery-ready and just need a battery unit added, while others may require an inverter upgrade or the addition of a hybrid inverter. Jack will assess your existing setup and let you know the most cost-effective path.

A home EV charger installation typically costs between $1,500 and $3,000 including the charger unit, depending on the brand, your switchboard condition, and the distance from the switchboard to the charging location. Jack provides a fixed-price quote after assessing your property. More on EV charger installations.

Sometimes. If your switchboard is older or already near capacity, it may need upgrading to safely support the additional load of an EV charger. Jack checks this as part of every assessment — if an upgrade is needed, it’ll be included in your quote with no surprises. More on switchboard upgrades.

Yes. If you have a solar system, a smart EV charger can be configured to prioritise charging from your solar generation. This means you’re effectively fuelling your car for free during the day. If you’re not home during solar hours, pairing with a home battery gives you stored solar to charge from in the evening.

Yes. Jack is an A-Grade licensed electrician registered with Energy Safe Victoria, and a Clean Energy Council accredited installer (REC No. 31458) for solar PV and battery systems. All work is fully insured and you receive a Certificate of Electrical Safety on completion.

A Certificate of Electrical Safety (COES) is a legal document issued by your electrician confirming that the electrical work carried out complies with Australian standards. It’s required for all prescribed electrical work in Victoria and is lodged with Energy Safe Victoria. Jack issues one for every job.

Jack Jones Electrical is based in Bonbeach and services Melbourne’s bayside corridor from St Kilda through to the Mornington Peninsula. This includes Bonbeach, Chelsea, Edithvale, Carrum, Mentone, Parkdale, Mordialloc, Aspendale, Cheltenham, Highett, Beaumaris, Black Rock, Brighton, Hampton, Frankston and surrounding suburbs.

Yes. Jack provides free, no-obligation quotes for all work. For solar and battery jobs, this includes a site visit and a system design based on your actual usage data. You’ll receive a clear, itemised quote before any work begins.

Call or text Jack on 0404 226 501, or fill in the contact form below. Let him know a bit about the job and he’ll get back to you to arrange a time.