Posts By Kim Wainwright On SolarQuotes

About Kim Wainwright

A solar installer and electrician in a previous life, Kim has been blogging for SolarQuotes since 2022. He enjoys translating complex aspects of the solar industry into content that the layperson can understand and digest. He spends his time reading about renewable energy and sustainability, while simultaneously juggling teaching and performing guitar music around various parts of Australia. Read Kim's full bio.

Battery Boom Delivers Power Bill Drop For 2026/27

2026 default market offer

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has released its final Default Market Offer (DMO) determination for 2026–27, with most households across NSW, South East Queensland and South Australia set to see lower benchmark electricity prices from July. [Read more…]

Power Network Costs To Rise Nationally, With One Exception

AER network pricingThe Australian Energy Regulator has completed its annual round of electricity network pricing approvals across most of the country, with one state defying the national trend for higher costs. [Read more…]

Builder-Installed Solar: Your Choice Or Theirs?

Builder installed solarIf you’re building a new home and assuming solar can be sorted out later, there’s something many buyers don’t realise until it’s too late: by the time it becomes a serious conversation, the important decisions may already have been made.

[Read more…]

Charging As A Service: How Apartments Can Plug Into EV Savings

EV charging in an apartment

Australia’s push to expand EV charging in apartment buildings has received a boost, with ARENA awarding $1.51 million for a lower-cost charging-as-a-service rollout across strata apartment buildings.
[Read more…]

Federal Budget 2026: What It Means For Home Electrification

2026 federal budget

The Federal Budget has been handed down, with measures affecting electric vehicles, home batteries, charging infrastructure and Australia’s energy transition. [Read more…]

EV Electricity Plans: Do You Really Need One?

an ev charging in a garage

This article explains how EV-specific electricity plans work and what EV plans are currently available in Australia [Read more…]

New WA Solar Installs: What To Check Before Signing A Quote

WA inverter rules checklist

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. [Read more…]

Missed The May Battery Rebate Cutoff? Here’s What To Do

Battery rebate deadline cut-off

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 price, your installation timeline, and any changes being proposed by your installer. [Read more…]

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. [Read more…]

Why Solar Output Isn’t Just About Daily Totals

Solar output 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. [Read more…]

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