Posts By Jacob Boyd On SolarQuotes

About Jacob Boyd

Jacob Boyd draws on years of solar industry experience to deliver clear, analytical writing that makes clean energy topics genuinely accessible. He has taught at the university level, published fiction, and directed independent films; a range of creative work that shapes how he approaches every piece. Jacob believes a great solar article does one thing above all else: it leaves readers better equipped to understand and embrace the energy sitting right above their rooftops. He earned his MFA in Writing from San Francisco State University, and believes in the power of sunshine.

Quitting Gas Costs: A Small Step For The ACT, A Giant Leap For NSW

Close up on a gas burner with blue flame and the words SolarQuotes in the top right.

On 1 July 2026, it became much cheaper to permanently disconnect from gas in New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Like many regulatory changes, this news was tucked away in a PDF that most people never read.

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Solar Power Nation Clean Bowled By Hundreds Of Complaints

Michael Clarke promoting Solar Power Nation

A major solar retailer operating under four different names – and promoted by retired cricketer Michael Clarke – faces multiple investigations after copping hundreds of complaints, ranging from allegations of dodgy worksmanship to unrefunded deposit payments for installs that never happened.

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Insulating An Apartment With Strata: What’s Allowed?

Insulation options with the SolarQuotes border.

The parts of your apartment you can insulate depend on four main factors:

  1. Whether you own or rent
  2. Whether the work affects common property
  3. Whether it changes the building’s outside look
  4. Which state you live in

These points will help you figure out what you can do right away, what needs approval, and what isn’t allowed at all.

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Aldi Solar Expands West As Growing Pains Mount

Man showing woman solar panel.

Aldi Solar is expanding, with people in Western Australia and South Australia now able to get in line. But there are plenty of red flags to be aware of before getting a solar and battery system from a discount supermarket.

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Solar Sharer: How To Shift Appliances To Free Daytime Power

Cartoon image of a washing machine on a timer.

EV charging, heating, and cooling are usually the biggest electrical loads you can shift. We’ve already talked about heating and cooling in another part of this series, and we’ve also covered EVs. After those, hot water and the pool pump are usually next. But not all appliances can be shifted. Here’s how to figure out which ones you can move, and how to do it.

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Fuel Excise Cut Ends, As Age Of The EV Begins

Close view of petrol pumps.

The fuel excise cut introduced to soften the impact of rising petrol prices finished at midnight on 2 August. From this point, petrol and diesel are taxed at the full rate again, so prices at the pump are climbing higher once again. It comes as new data out this week shows that electric and hybrid vehicles made up nearly half of all cars Australians bought last quarter.

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Can You Charge An EV In Three Hours Of Free Power?

Two EVs charging in a driveway with an EV charger on the garage.

Solar Sharer plans featuring free daytime electricity can be great value for EV owners – but there’s a catch. To make the most of the offer, you need a dedicated home charger set to run during the free hours. If you use a regular wall socket and try to guess the timing, you’ll barely cover your commute, and your bill will stay about the same. Here’s how to get it right.

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Solar Sharer Plans Compared: Three Free Hours, At A Cost

From the start of this month, most energy retailers are required to offer plans offering three free hours of daytime electricity. We’ve put three Solar Sharer offers under the microscope to see the devil in the detail – just how much extra customers will be paying in daily supply charges and peak rates.

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Regulator Crackdown On Dodgy Solar Installs & Fake Selfies

A fake solar selfie

The Clean Energy Regulator (CER) has suspended 21 solar companies from the small-scale solar rebate scheme, moved to ban a retailer for falsely claiming installations were complete, and issued a warning to installers over fake verification photos.

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Solar Sharer In Winter: Heat Your Home For Free

Air conditioning to warm a home in winterWith Australia in the grip of winter, a new breed of free daytime electricity plans have arrived just in time to keep your home warm on the cheap. Here’s how to time your electric heating – and cooling – to make the most of the Solar Sharer Offer’s free electricity period.

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