Treasury is preparing savings measures as pressure grows to cut the federal battery rebate and EV subsidy in the face of inflation, but clean energy advocates caution that the measures are putting downward pressure on electricity and fuel prices.
About Kim WainwrightA 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.
WA’s Plug-In Solar Plan Sparks Hope For Renters
Western Australia is moving to become the first state in Australia to legalise plug-in solar panels and batteries, potentially giving renters and apartment residents a way to generate their own electricity without installing a conventional rooftop solar system.
The Cook Government says households could save around $240 a year with plug-in solar, rising to $500 if they add a battery. But the systems aren’t legal yet. The government has released a draft technical standard for consultation, and questions remain about safety, installation restrictions and whether the promised savings will justify the cost. [Read more…]
Solar Installer Fined $10,000 For Jobs He Never Attended
A solar installer who claimed to be working on Melbourne installations while interstate has been fined $10,000, as Australia’s Clean Energy Regulator (CER) continues its crackdown on operators breaking the rules.
The case is one of several enforcement actions highlighted in the regulator’s latest quarterly compliance update, which includes two other installers barred from participating in the federal solar and battery rebate scheme.
While the CER says there’s no evidence of widespread fraud, the cases raise a question for homeowners: how can you be sure the accredited installer responsible for your system actually turns up?
[Read more…]
ACT & Tasmania’s Best-Rated Solar Installers: 2026
Two new winners have emerged in the ACT and Tasmania as SolarQuotes wraps up its 2026 state and territory installer awards.
The awards use a weighted calculation of customer reviews published on SolarQuotes between September 1, 2025 and September 1, 2026. This gives smaller installers with fewer reviews a fair chance against larger businesses.
To qualify, installers must have received at least 15 reviews during that period. All installers with SolarQuotes review listings are considered, not just those in our installer network. [Read more…]
Does Your Home Battery Need A Smoke Alarm?
A smoke alarm near your home battery might seem like a sensible precaution, but is it actually compulsory? The answer depends on where you live, where your battery is installed and, in some cases, whether you’ve claimed a government incentive. We look at the different rules and recommendations across Australia.
[Read more…]
Victoria’s Best-Rated Solar Installers: 2026
You’d be forgiven for thinking you’d seen Victoria’s installer podium before. The same three companies that made the top three in 2025 are back again this year, although Jet Solar and Brightworks Solar have traded places at the top. [Read more…]
Electric Tech: From Robot Legs To A Jet Ski That Could Power Your House
Electric cars, home batteries and chargers are becoming familiar technology, but electricity is turning up in some unexpected places. How about robotic legs that help you walk, or a jet ski that might one day double as a home battery?
These are just some of the unusual ideas we spotted at Everything Electric Sydney recently – here’s a rundown on some of the energy tech spruiked by companies as the next big thing.
[Read more…]
The Solar Rebate Ends In 2030: What Comes Next?
Australia’s federal solar rebate has an expiry date. At the end of 2030, the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme that has helped put solar on millions of roofs is scheduled to finish.
That was always the plan. The interesting part is that, with just over four years left, Australia keeps finding new things for the scheme to do. [Read more…]
Can One App Handle An Australian EV Road Trip?
Most EV owners probably don’t need an app guide for the daily commute. You know where you’re going, where you normally charge, and your car can probably get you there without much fuss.
A proper road trip changes things. Now there are five jobs to do: plan the route, check the chargers, navigate the route, start and pay for charging, and switch to ‘Plan B’ if something goes wrong.
Do you need a different app for each job, or can one app handle most of an Australian EV road trip?
[Read more…]
WA’s Best-Rated Solar Installers: 2026
There are some familiar names at the top of Western Australia’s 2026 solar installer rankings, with last year’s winner taking first place again and a new contender moving into second.
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