Single phase · all requested demand on A
7.36 kW illustrative supply limit
230 V × 32 A ÷ 1,000
| Phase | Requested load | Current at PF 1 | Remaining / over limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 9 kW | 39.13 A | Over by 1.64 kW Over illustrative limit |
FH COMMUNITY · ENERGY EXPLAINED
More capable power. Clearer numbers.
Explore how three-phase supply shares large loads, then compare the economics of solar and batteries using your own numbers.
Three-phase supply: room for larger appliances, EV charging and solar
Explore how separate circuits can use different phases. A large single-phase appliance still uses one phase; unused capacity on B or C does not automatically help an overloaded A.
Teaching example — not your approved connection capacity
Both cases use the same current limit per phase, 230 V phase-to-neutral and power factor 1. All entered loads are assumed simultaneous. Real supply limits, diversity, starting current, cable protection and network approval must be assessed separately.
Actual charging is limited by the vehicle’s onboard charger, EVSE, wiring, approved supply and load management. The 11/22 kW options require a compatible three-phase setup; grid power may supply EV demand independently of inverter output.
Three phases · check A, B and C separately
22.08 kW aggregate illustration only
3 × 230 V × 32 A ÷ 1,000 · 7.36 kW / phase
| Phase | Requested load | Current at PF 1 | Remaining / over limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 3 kW | 13.04 A | Remaining 4.36 kW Within illustrative limit |
| B | 3 kW | 13.04 A | Remaining 4.36 kW Within illustrative limit |
| C | 3 kW | 13.04 A | Remaining 4.36 kW Within illustrative limit |
Every phase is within this simplified example limit. This is not a safety or connection approval.
The same total requested load is compared in both cases: 9 kW. Three phases do not reduce an appliance’s energy use or automatically triple an existing home’s approved capacity.
Inverter output is separate from supply headroom
Inverter generation is NOT subtracted from appliance demand to claim extra protective headroom. Solar output varies; actual inverter, per-phase export limits, voltage-rise compliance and cable upgrades require network and installer assessment. Three-phase supply/inverters do not guarantee stable voltage or whole-home backup during an outage.
Optional financial scenario — your own supported inputs
Phase count alone creates no assumed bill saving. Enter only a documented annual operational benefit, such as an assessed avoided operational cost; describe its basis. The description is not independently verified by this tool.
Annual net scenario benefit = entered benefit − recurring cost: A$0
No positive annual net benefit; no payback is calculated.
Simple payback = upfront cost ÷ positive annual net benefit. Money is rounded to cents. This is not a quote or investment recommendation; financing, tax, changing tariffs and future performance are not modelled.
All inputs stay on this page; nothing is saved or sent. Ask your licensed electrician, installer and electricity network about the actual connection, phase balancing, EV load management and protection. Do not change wiring yourself.
Switching these methods clears the previous form. Their assumptions differ; results are kept separate.
What could solar and a battery save?
These are editable examples, not current market prices or a site performance estimate. Use your bill, interval data and written installation quote. All dollar figures are AUD; use a consistent tax basis.
Both options are compared with no solar. The combined option includes both new-system costs.
VERSUS NO SOLAR
Annual net benefit
Includes entered annual running costs. A negative value means an annual loss, not a saving.
What the battery adds — without double counting
- Avoided imports
- $996
- Lost export income
- − $158
- Extra annual running cost
- − $100
- Net additional annual benefit
- $738
Solar onlySolar + battery
Year 15 · Solar only: $13,483 · Solar + battery: $15,553
Annual energy flows & chart data
kWh/year; energy-only costs exclude fixed supply, demand and other charges. Export credit can make energy cost negative; this does not mean a free total bill.
| Annual measure | No PV | PV only | PV + battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grid imports (kWh) | 7,300 | 4,066 | 1,220 |
| PV exports (kWh) | 0 | 6,006 | 2,844 |
| Energy-only net cost (AUD) | $2,555 | $1,123 | $285 |
PV generation 9,240 · Direct use 3,234 · Battery AC charge 3,162 · Battery AC delivery 2,846 kWh/year
| Year | Solar only | Solar + battery |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | -$6,500 | -$15,500 |
| 1 | -$5,168 | -$13,430 |
| 2 | -$3,836 | -$11,360 |
| 3 | -$2,503 | -$9,289 |
| 4 | -$1,171 | -$7,219 |
| 5 | $161 | -$5,149 |
| 6 | $1,493 | -$3,079 |
| 7 | $2,825 | -$1,009 |
| 8 | $4,158 | $1,062 |
| 9 | $5,490 | $3,132 |
| 10 | $6,822 | $5,202 |
| 11 | $8,154 | $7,272 |
| 12 | $9,486 | $9,342 |
| 13 | $10,819 | $11,413 |
| 14 | $12,151 | $13,483 |
| 15 | $13,483 | $15,553 |
Sensitivity: change only the import price
Illustrative −20% / current input / +20%; not a tariff forecast. All other inputs stay fixed.
| Import c/kWh | Annual net benefit |
|---|---|
| 28.0 | $1,645 |
| 35.0 | $2,070 |
| 42.0 | $2,496 |
Understand this estimate before relying on it
- Annual PV = kW × entered yield. Direct solar use is capped by both generation and household use. Solar savings = avoided imports + export income − entered running costs.
- Battery charge is limited each representative day by surplus solar, remaining demand adjusted for efficiency, and usable capacity/cycles. Annual delivery is limited by the entered operating days. Charge takes energy away from exports; only delivered energy replaces imports.
- This is a balanced-average-day illustration, not an hourly simulation. Seasonal weather, timing, battery power limits, reserve settings, shading, export curtailment and time-of-use tariffs can lower or change actual results.
- The graph holds prices, performance and annual costs constant. It excludes degradation, replacements, financing, discounting and future tariff changes. The selected period is not a lifetime or warranty claim. Simple payback is net upfront cost / positive annual net benefit.
Official guidance checked 28 October 2026: Australian Government — solar and battery financial benefits ↗