About Ronald BrakelsJoining SolarQuotes in 2015, Ronald has a knack for reading those tediously long documents put out by solar manufacturers and translating their contents into something consumers might find interesting. Master of heavily researched deep-dive blog posts, his relentless consumer advocacy has ruffled more than a few manufacturer's feathers over the years. Read Ronald's full bio.
Common sense says refineries process oil, not make it, so more Australian refining capacity would be useless in the current oil shortage. But common sense isn’t always right. Here’s how the federal government’s New Australian Refinery Plan, announced April 1, will help the nation power through the fuel crisis.
Late last week, the Australian Energy Regulator went and shoved a Default Market Offer document onto the internet. But don’t worry — that’s normal behaviour for an Energy Regulator around this time of year. The important thing is, it came with information on the Solar Sharer Offer that will make 3 hours of free daytime electricity available in NSW, SA, and South East Queensland to anyone with a smart meter who wants it, from July 1.
Across the country, installers are bending over backward to get systems in before the federal battery rebate reduces on May 1. Note I wrote “reduces”. The rebate is declining, not disappearing.
Pop quiz! What’s more important when it comes to buying an air conditioner?
You can find plenty of claims online that smart meters are a health hazard or part of a sinister government conspiracy. I’ve had a look and found these claims to be false.
Many Australians will have access to plans with three hours of free power from July, but there’s a catch: you’ll need a smart meter. This means there will be a stampede of people after them in a few months time. Here’s why getting your old analog meter upgraded now is a good idea.
The government’s Solar Sharer Offer will make free electricity available for three or more hours around midday.
I’ve heard this called a dumb policy that won’t lower costs because it will just shift them around, causing people to pay more at other times and in other ways to make up for what they get for free. But this isn’t true!
A Sungrow battery installed by I Want Energy.
Here are two facts about home batteries:
The good news is the first effect is much larger than the second. Pinning down how much home batteries reduce emissions isn’t easy, but I’m going to take a stab at it. Hopefully, by the time you get to the end of this post, you won’t want to take a stab at me.
A Sigenergy home battery installed by Stag Electrical Solar and Refrigeration ACT.
Home batteries lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Unless, of course, you’re a complete nutter and use a battery to deliberately raise them in an attempt to cook the planet. But this ruins the savings, so only a complete loony would try it.
I don’t mind admitting that I was recently taken for a ride — by a robot car. Tesla Full Self Driving (Supervised) has arrived in Australia, and it took me for a spin.
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