The lowest cost way to replace the coal power now providing 63% of Australia’s electricity is to replace it with a combination of wind and solar generation plus energy storage. [Read more…]
How Well Does Solar Work Through Winter?
Over the next week or so I’ll write some articles busting solar myths because, if I’ve learned anything from 25 years of internet use, it’s way easier to complain about something than go through the effort of doing something useful. Today I’m tackling solar energy output in winter in Australia. [Read more…]
Will A Demand Tariff Improve Home Battery Payback?
Last week I was contacted by a Queenslander named Terry. He was chuffed about the electricity bill savings he was getting by using a demand tariff with his home battery. [Read more…]
Slow Cookers & Solar — A Perfect Combination (Free Bonus Recipe!)
Winter is coming.  The cold month of June is almost upon us. In Adelaide where I dwell, winter brings grey skies and decreased solar output. The cold, dark of the evening arrives early and brings a time for family, fellowship, and food.
Now is the perfect time for me to write about slow cookers and how useful they are for solar households. [Read more…]
Regional Queensland Has Electricity Retailer Choice. But Which Is Cheapest?
Do you live in regional Queensland? Â Do you think your only choice of electricity retailer is Ergon Energy? Then I have exciting news for you. Â You can choose who bills you for electricity. [Read more…]
AER Ruling: Victorian DNSPs Must Offer Flat Tariff To All. Except EV Owners.
Finally, it’s official – DNSPs must offer a standard tariff to Victorian solar owners.
I have just read the Australian Energy Regulator’s FINAL DECISION Statement on Victorian Energy Distribution for 2021-2026. According to the document, Victorian electricity distributors will be required to: [Read more…]
Victoria’s Electric Car Tax Robs Peter To Pay Peter
An EV tax that pays for an EV rebate? You couldn’t make this shit up.
Victoria is set to become the only place in the world to de-incentivize the purchase of electric vehicles with an electric car tax for every kilometre driven.Â
Victoria will also introduce a $3,000 incentive to encourage buying electric cars.
After coming up with this brilliant move, I don’t see why the Victorian Government should stop there. [Read more…]
Inflexible Fossil Fuels: Why Starting And Stopping Coal & Gas Power Costs Big Bucks
A power station control room. Starting up one of these things is not trivial or cheap.
Coal power is gradually being driven out of business by renewables. It simply can’t compete on price. Most people know coal and gas power stations have to pay for fuel while sunshine and wind are free, but not many know how much it costs to start and stop fossil fuel generators. [Read more…]
Solar Export Limiting: Just How Much Energy Will You Lose?
What are the losses from solar export limiting? — You’ll lose less energy generation than you think.
Export limited solar systems are becoming increasingly common.Â
Some new solar power system buyers are being told they can only proceed with an installation if the installer ‘export limits’ their system.
Export limiting is a polite way of saying ‘hobbled’.  An export limited solar system will occasionally send less electricity into the grid than its inverter can supply. That can cause clean solar energy to go to waste.Â
That sounds awful, but the good news is: the amount lost is far less than most people expect.
Tesla Finally Launch Solar Tiles In Australia With Insane Bonus For Early Adopters
Tesla’s solar tiles are finally coming to Australia. You won’t believe what Elon Musk has promised the first thousand buyers… Note: There are no Tesla Tile installs in Australia at the moment, and this picture is of Tractile Solar Tiles in Marino, SA.
Note: This post was published on April the first 2021
When Elon Musk launched Tesla Solar Roof Tiles four and a half years ago, there was only one question his Australian fans were desperate to know: [Read more…]
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