I’m filling in for our editor, Max, who has taken himself on holiday like someone who doesn’t understand the gravity of the Smart Energy Conference. Someone had to go. So I went to Sydney. Here’s what happened. [Continue reading…]
SolarQuotes Blog
New WA Solar Installs — What To Check Before Signing A Quote
From 1 May 2026, new inverter rules apply to solar and battery systems connected to WA’s main electricity grid, managed by Western Power.
Your installer is responsible for making sure your system meets the technical requirements – that’s their job. But there are two things worth discussing with them: how your export limits are configured and whether your system has room to grow.
This guide covers what to look for under the new rules. It’s not general solar buying advice – it’s specifically about new design decisions that matter because of the new rules. [Continue reading…]
Too Much Of A Good Thing: Dynamic Solar Connections Explained
When Australian households first started installing solar, there were almost no restrictions on how much energy they could export back to the grid, and they received up to 60c per kWh for exporting it. Fast forward to today, and we have millions of rooftop solar systems meeting more than 13% of the country’s electricity demand.
[Continue reading…]When A Battery Company Sues Its Critics, It Tells You Everything
We’ve been running this website for 16 years. In that time, we’ve published tens of thousands of reviews and written plenty of posts about installers and manufacturers. Shock horror, some have been critical.
[Continue reading…]Missed The May Battery Rebate Cutoff? Here’s What To Do
A rush to secure home battery systems ahead of the 1 May cutoff has left many customers dealing with delays that have pushed their installs past the deadline, raising questions about pricing and eligibility. If your system wasn’t fully commissioned by 30 April, you may now be working through what that means for your agreed […]
[Continue reading…]WARNING! DANGER! Battery Labels Are Shockingly Bad
Apparently a recent raft of audits showed 98% of battery installations were defective. Does that mean the entire solar installation industry is incompetent? No, but the people writing the rules…?
[Continue reading…]The Risk Behind ‘Upgradeable’ Battery Leases
A Queensland homeowner got a solar-battery system under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) through ShineHub, expecting it could be expanded later. Just a couple of years into a 10 year contract, the homeowner says he was told to throw away his battery and inverter and start again if he wanted more capacity — even though […]
[Continue reading…]AEMC Report Raises Concerns For Solar Households
The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) says its proposed network pricing reforms could cut electricity costs and deliver up to $6 billion in savings across 15 years — but modelling suggests those savings won’t be shared evenly, with some solar owners potentially worse off.
[Continue reading…]Bad Policy, Easy Fix: How to Wipe Out The EV Road User Charge
Imagine the government threatening to tax ex-smokers for no longer contributing to health funding via tobacco tax revenue. It would be the dumbest policy ever conceived.
[Continue reading…]Why Solar Output Isn’t Just About Daily Totals
Most solar owners judge their system by a simple measure: how much energy it produces over the day. If the total looks good, it was a good day. If it’s down, something must be wrong — but that’s not always the full story.
[Continue reading…]
RSS - Posts
Currently Raging Debates: