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Power cuts are a fact of life in much of PNG, and plenty of homes are off-grid entirely. Solar, batteries and a generator each solve a different part of the problem. Understanding what each does — and getting the wiring done safely — is the key to reliable power.

What you'll need

Everything here is stocked across our branches.

Step by step

  1. 1

    Work out what you need to run

    List what must keep running in an outage — lights, phone charging, a fan, a fridge — and roughly how long. Powering a few lights and phones is small and cheap; running a fridge or air-conditioner all night needs a lot more panel and battery. Sizing starts with this list.

  2. 2

    Understand what each part does

    Solar panels make power in daylight; a battery stores it for night and outages; an inverter turns battery power into normal mains-style power for your appliances; a generator makes power on demand from fuel. A portable power station combines battery and inverter in one box for small loads.

  3. 3

    Match the pieces to each other

    The panels, battery, inverter and charge controller have to be sized to work together and to your load. An undersized battery runs flat overnight; an inverter too small for the appliance will not start it. This is where advice pays off — tell the branch your load list.

  4. 4

    Choose a generator that fits — and run it safely

    For back-up, size the generator to the load you must run. Never run a generator indoors or in an enclosed space — the exhaust can kill; keep it outside, ventilated, and away from windows. Keep fuel stored safely.

  5. 5

    Get it wired and connected by a licensed electrician

    Anything that connects to your house wiring — a solar system, an inverter, a generator changeover — must be installed by a licensed electrician. Wrong wiring is a fire and electrocution risk, and a generator connected wrongly can endanger line workers. Buy the gear, but leave the connection to a professional.

Tips for the PNG climate

  • Start from your load list, not from a panel size. What you need to run and for how long decides everything else.
  • Never run a generator indoors or in a closed room — exhaust fumes are deadly. Outside, ventilated, away from windows, always.
  • House wiring, solar and generator changeovers are a licensed-electrician job — not a DIY guess. It is a safety and a legal matter.
  • For most homes a simple set-up — some panels, a battery, an inverter, and a small generator or power station for backup — covers lights, phones and a fan through an outage affordably.

Common questions

What do I need to keep lights and phones on during outages?
A small solar-plus-battery set-up or a portable power station will run lights and phone charging easily. Running a fridge or air-conditioner needs much more; start from a list of what you must power.
Solar, generator or both?
They complement each other: solar and a battery for quiet daily/night power, a generator for heavier loads or long cloudy spells. Many homes use both. Tell the branch your needs and staff can help you choose.
Can I install it myself?
You can buy the equipment, but anything connecting to house wiring — solar, inverters, generator changeovers — must be installed by a licensed electrician for safety and legal reasons.

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