For years, solar owners had it easy. You looked for the highest solar feed-in tariff. You checked the usage rate and the daily charge were not silly. You picked the winning tariff and moved on.
That world is gone.
About Finn PeacockI'm a Chartered Electrical Engineer, Solar and Energy Efficiency nut, dad, and the founder of SolarQuotes.com.au. I started SolarQuotes in 2009 and the SolarQuotes blog in 2013 with the belief that it’s more important to be truthful and objective than popular. My last "real job" was working for the CSIRO in their renewable energy division. Since 2009, I’ve helped over 800,000 Aussies get quotes for solar from installers I trust. Read my full bio.
The Feed-In Tariff Is Dead. Long Live the Feed-In Tariff.
The Rebate Paid for Battery Brawn, Not Brains
Big batteries are going in fast. Too many are being left dumb, unsupported, and unable to earn their keep.
I was on ABC Adelaide this week to talk about the battery rebate. First question was easy. Has it been popular?
Hell yes.
Roughly 150,000 batteries in six months. That is a staggering number.
How To Integrate Air Conditioning With Solar
If you want to control your air conditioner properly with solar, it helps to understand how the thing actually works. As an ex-control systems engineer, this is right up my alley. Let’s break it down.
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Supersize Me: The Rise of the McBattery
Aussies love big things.
After the rebate, battery systems are heading the same way. [Read more…]
Is Enphase On A Highway To Hell, Or Back In Black?
I went to the AC/DC PWR UP! gig in Adelaide last weekend. There are two ways to look at that show.
We Don’t Do PR. Sorry For The Confusion.
There’s a long-running problem with running SolarQuotes1. When you write about smart ideas or gear that works well, the phones light up. Manufacturers call to say thanks. They invite you to factories. They offer free gear to test and keep. They love the spotlight when it suits them.
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Sigenergy’s Hot Streak Was Not Meant To Be This Hot
Sigenergy has spent the year talking big. Fast growth. Innovative tech. A cheer squad of consumers and industry commentators that treats any doubt as a personal slight. That mood set the stage for what we are seeing now.
Three ‘Free’ Hours Of Power: Seizing The Means Of Solar Production?
You’re likely sick of the headlines by now: “Three hours of free power for everyone!”
Most readers of those headlines will assume three free hours of energy are about to land in their current plan, like magic. They won’t. Instead, it looks like the plan is to force each retailer to offer at least one “free-hours” plan among all their others.
Here’s When You Shouldn’t Buy Solar + Batteries
Solar and batteries are great. But they’re not a get-out-of-jail card for bad houses.
Today I saw someone ask online:
“Should I spend $20k on double glazing or $20k on solar + battery and run the air-con 24/7 when necessary?”
Empty Penthouses and Empty Quotes
I was talking to a doctor who does those big-ticket “executive medicals” the other day. Think $2,000, three-hour deep dives that cover everything from fitness to bloodwork to mental health. He said it was sad how many people with financial success tell him they come home to an empty penthouse every night. They achieved financial and professional success at the cost of their happiness.
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