Australia Post
Australia Post
Solar & Battery Assessment
Energy planning

Solar & battery site assessment

Configure a parcel locker site, run a 14-day simulation against live weather data, and export a sizing report.

New assessment
New site assessment
Drop a pin, configure hardware, and run the simulation.
Methodology
Data sources, panel and battery models, verdict thresholds.
Export a report
PDF summary plus hourly CSV after running an assessment.
How to run an assessment

Four steps. Each one tells you exactly what to click and what a sensible answer looks like.

  1. 1
    Pick your site
    · ~15 seconds
    What you'll do
    • Click the map at the install location, or
    • Type a street address into the search box, or
    • Enter latitude and longitude directly.
    Then choose
    Forecast horizon
    Leave on 7 days. Longer windows are slower but smooth out weather noise.
    Weather source
    Open-Meteo by default. Switch to NASA POWER only if you're cross-checking.
    Good answer looks like: Pin sits on the actual roof (not the kerb), horizon ≥ 7 days.
  2. 2
    Configure solar
    · ~20 seconds
    What you'll do
    • Set the number of panels and per-panel wattage.
    • Pick efficiency: 15% for poly/older, 21% for modern mono.
    • Set tilt to roughly your latitude (the slider shows the optimum).
    • Use the compass to point azimuth at North (in Australia).
    Then choose
    Satellite preview
    The orange rectangle shows your panel array footprint and orientation. Long edge faces the sun.
    Obstructions
    Add walls, trees or buildings only if they actually shade the array — each one cuts irradiance during the hours the sun is behind it.
    Good answer looks like: Tilt within ±10° of latitude, azimuth pointing equator-ward, no spurious obstructions.
  3. 3
    Configure loads & battery
    · ~30 seconds
    What you'll do
    • Pick the controller: Raspberry Pi 5 (low draw, ~1.3 W idle) or OnLogic Karbon 400 (~2× the idle, more compute headroom).
    • Toggle off any peripherals you don't have (display, scanner, CCTV, locks). MPPT and router are required.
    • Adjust quantities — locks default to 120, scale in 20s for your locker size.
    • Set delivery activity: Low (30/day), Medium (100/day) or High (250/day).
    • Configure battery: number of units, capacity each, SOC reserve.
    • Decide whether grid backup is allowed when the battery hits reserve.
    Then choose
    Live load summary
    Watch the 'Estimated continuous load' number — it updates as you toggle. This is the average watts the system must supply.
    SOC reserve
    20% minimum is a safe LiFePO₄ floor. Going lower shortens battery life.
    Good answer looks like: Continuous load < 15 W, battery storage ≥ 2× the daily energy figure.
  4. 4
    Run & export
    · ~5 seconds
    What you'll do
    • Hit Run. Verdict, KPIs and charts render in one pass.
    • Read the verdict colour: green = viable, amber = marginal, red = insufficient.
    • Inspect the SOC chart — the minimum dip matters more than the average.
    Then choose
    PDF report
    Polished summary for sharing or filing — includes all settings, KPIs, and the verdict.
    CSV export
    Raw hourly series (PV, load, SOC, charge, discharge) for your own analysis.
    Good answer looks like: Min SOC stays ≥ 5% above your reserve across the whole window.