Solar Quotes Blog

Why Are Solar Owners Charged GST On Money They Never Spent?

March 4, 2015 2015-03-04T12:40:04 by 5 Comments

I have a 6kW (24 panel) solar system on my roof.

My last quarterly electricity bill is here. The good news is that it was for only $33.60.

electricity bill including GST

My latest electricity bill. Notice how the GST is way more than 10%

The interesting thing is the breakdown of the $33.60. If you look at the bottom of the bill, I paid $12.68 in electricity charges but a whopping $20.92 in GST (highlighted in blue on the bill).

You don’t have to be great at maths to know that 10% of $12.68 is $1.27 not $20.92 [Continue reading…]

Are AGL’s New Solar Packages a Trick or a Treat for Aussie Consumers?

March 3, 2015 2015-03-03T11:49:40 by 3 Comments
mousetrap and solar panel

Are AGL offering a great deal or bait?

Just to prove that energy giants can move with the times like the rest of us, AGL Energy, who only a few months ago described solar household tariffs as a ‘scam‘, has decided roll out a couple of new solar energy products.

One is happening now — a (sort of) solar leasing offer — while the other a promise to offer battery storage by the end of the year.

Similar leasing-style models have been very successful in the USA, and AGL join a long list of companies who have recently rolled out solar finance packages such as Energy Matters, Tindo and Sungevity. The option to pay for the energy produced, rather than the initial cost of the panels removes the hurdle of finding $5-$15k upfront, but cunningly locks the solar owner into a very long term contract with AGL.  [Continue reading…]

India’s renewable energy sector on cusp of greatness

February 27, 2015 2015-02-27T12:15:40 by 2 Comments
indian flag and solar panels

As we in Australia struggle with a federal government attitude to renewables halfway between apathy and utter neglect, things continue apace on the sub continent. Indeed India’s renewable energy policy is now primed to make the country one of the world’s leaders in alternative energy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made the development of alternative […]

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How To Divert Your Excess Solar PV to a Hot Water Cylinder.

February 25, 2015 2015-02-25T13:23:36 by 10 Comments
a diversion sign

This guest blog post has been written by experienced solar installer, electrician, solar company owner and all round good guy, Mark Cavanagh from MC Electrical in Brisbane. Mark answers a really common question we are getting here at SolarQuotes: “Can I divert my excess solar energy into my hot water cylinder instead of selling it to the grid for […]

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Fairfax Article Beating Up The Solar Industry is Scaremongering (but Greg Hunt still fell for it)

February 24, 2015 2015-02-24T10:31:12 by Leave a Comment
article screenshot

The Fairfax papers’ coverage of the solar industry is usually spot on. But I think the latest article by Political Reporter Heath Aston is way off mark. Greg Hunt must have salivated all over his iPad as he read the article yesterday morning. I can see him dribbling with delight at the rampant tales of rorted […]

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Researchers use photosynthesis to directly create liquid fuel from solar

February 18, 2015 2015-02-18T16:55:07 by 1 Comment
leaf and solar panel

Solar power using photosynthesis is the most ancient — and successful — form of energy production. Plants have used this method for over a billion years, harvesting sunlight, combining it with water and turning this abundant solar energy into food. Now researchers at Harvard University are looking to use the process in a really novel way.

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Thin film technology promises solar powered cars for the masses.

February 12, 2015 2015-02-13T08:15:43 by 2 Comments
a solar car in adelaide

Ever considered the seemingly endless possibilities of solar thin film technology for mobile energy generation? Mr Li Hejun, CEO of China-based thin film solar company Hanergy Thin Film Power Group Ltd certainly does and outlined his vision (or dream depending on your point of view), of a future where this technology dominated mobile energy needs. […]

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How I got a $33 power bill with solar – even with a crappy 8c buy back rate

February 5, 2015 2015-02-05T21:24:04 by 23 Comments
my post-solar electricity bill

I got my quarterly electricity bill last week. It was $33. I was so happy that I tweeted AGL. AGL’s reply is priceless: @Solar_Quotes Hi Finn, sorry to hear about this issue. Can we help? Pls call 131 245 (we’re open 24/7) & we’ll investigate ASAP. ~Gero — AGL Energy (@aglenergy) January 19, 2015   […]

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ET Solar Panels win government support

February 4, 2015 2015-02-04T13:17:29 by Leave a Comment
commercial solar installation

What do ET Solar Australia and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) have up their sleeves to promote ET solar panels for large commercial businesses in our country? There’s more than one way to skin a cat. And more than one model for financing solar energy. This was amply demonstrated last week with the release […]

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If you want a 5kW solar system in QLD – consider getting it before March 1 2015!

January 30, 2015 2015-02-16T12:30:11 by 26 Comments
QLD map

****UPDATE**** On 12th Feb 2015 Ergon and Energex announced that they are extending this deadline from 1 March out to 30 September 2015. ***************** The Queensland electricity networks (hello Ergon and Energex!) are a fussy bunch. At the time of writing (Jan 2015) if you want to install a standard grid connect solar system bigger than 5kW, […]

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