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.
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.
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.
Aussies love big things.
After the rebate, battery systems are heading the same way. [Read more…]
I went to the AC/DC PWR UP! gig in Adelaide last weekend. There are two ways to look at that show.
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.
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.
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.
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?”
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.
I was watching the NRL Grand Final with the lads on Sunday. Cracker of a game. Afterwards, we flicked over to the Singapore Grand Prix. Boring as batshit. So we started talking cars. Out of five of us, three had Teslas – me included. The other two owners love their cars. Cheap to run, great drive, no servicing. But both said they wouldn’t buy another. One reason: Elon’s turned into an arsehole.
Finn Peacock (RSS) (345)
Ronald Brakels (RSS) (506)
Michael Bloch (RSS) (3352)
Staff Writer (RSS) (261)
Richard Chirgwin (RSS) (159)
Trevor Glen (RSS) (1)
Anthony Bennett (RSS) (201)
Kim Wainwright (RSS) (78)
Pat Southwell (RSS) (18)
Neerav Bhatt (RSS) (7)
Max Opray (RSS) (34)
Toby Hagon (RSS) (1)
Baran Yildiz (RSS) (1)
Tim Johnston (RSS) (1)
Before You Go..Download the first chapter of The Good Solar Guide, authored by SolarQuotes founder Finn Peacock, FREE! We respect your privacy and you can opt out from the newsletter at any time. |
RSS - Posts
Currently Raging Debates: