Battery Risk Case Studies
Real experiences from Perth homeowners. Learn why manufacturer tenure matters.
The New Brand Problem
Between 2022-2024, over 40 battery brands entered the Australian market to capitalize on government rebates. By late 2024, at least 12 had ceased operations or withdrawn from Australia, leaving thousands of customers with no warranty support. These case studies are real examples (names changed for privacy).
What Happened
Company ceased Australian operations after 8 months
Loss: Complete investment loss
Outcome
No warranty support, no replacement parts
What We Learned
- •Brand had only been in Australia for 6 months when purchased
- •No local office or support team
- •Significantly cheaper than established alternatives
- •Installer warned customer but price was too attractive
How to Prevent This
Use manufacturer tenure filter - only consider brands with 2+ years in Australian market
What Happened
Battery degraded to 85% capacity after 5 years
Loss: $0
Outcome
Tesla replaced entire unit under warranty, no cost
What We Learned
- •Tesla has been in Australian market since 2016
- •Strong local support network with certified installers
- •Warranty claim processed in 2 weeks
- •Replacement took 3 days to install
How to Prevent This
This is what good looks like - established manufacturer with proven support
What Happened
Inverter failure at 14 months
Loss: $0 (under warranty) but no solar storage for 1.5 years
Outcome
Parts stuck in shipping, still waiting after 18 months
What We Learned
- •Brand only had 1 distributor in Australia
- •Parts had to be shipped from overseas
- •COVID-19 supply chain issues compounded the problem
- •No loaner units or interim solutions offered
How to Prevent This
Check if manufacturer has Australian parts inventory and multiple service partners
What Happened
Minor firmware issue affecting charge cycles
Loss: $0
Outcome
Remote fix within 24 hours, no site visit needed
What We Learned
- •BYD has been in market since 2015 (5+ years when installed)
- •Firmware updates available remotely
- •Australian support team responded same day
- •Issue documented in knowledge base - common and easily fixed
How to Prevent This
Established manufacturers have better remote support capabilities
What Happened
Multiple small issues requiring site visits
Loss: Savings negated by ongoing costs
Outcome
Service fees over first year eliminated initial savings
What We Learned
- •Battery was significantly cheaper than alternatives from established brands
- •Warranty covered parts but not labor
- •Frequent service calls in first year for various issues
- •Initial savings completely eroded by maintenance costs
How to Prevent This
Consider total cost of ownership, not just upfront price
Don't Become a Case Study
Use our risk assessment tools to filter batteries by manufacturer tenure, local support, and warranty quality. Make an informed decision.