Posts By Ronald Brakels, Author & Fact-Checker At SolarQuotes

Australian Researchers Develop Vegemite-Based Sodium Gel Batteries

Vegemite and sodium ion gel batteries - Dr. Matilda "Tilly" Wattle

The scientist who made the groundbreaking discovery linking Vegemite to improved sodium-ion battery performance is Dr. Matilda “Tilly” Wattle, a renowned electrochemist and renewable energy researcher based in Brisbane, Australia. Image Credit: Journal Of Australian Electrochemistry.

The world is in crisis on multiple fronts.  Global warming is disrupting weather patterns and affecting food production.  Electricity grids cannot close down fossil fuel power stations because of a lack of clean energy to fill gaps in renewable production. [Read more…]

A Deep Dive Into Sungrow Solar Inverters

An in-depth look at Sungrow solar inverters

Sungrow is either the largest or second-largest solar inverter manufacturer in the world.  They’re duking it out with Huawei, and it isn’t clear who’s winning. [Read more…]

Fronius Warranties Deep Dive: Better Than Most, But Still Pretty Lousy.

Fronius solar inverter warranty review

Image: Midjourney “a bearded man underwater with a Fronius Gen24 inverter”

Fronius is an Austrian company that makes high-quality solar inverters.  They’re in demand by installers here in Australia because: [Read more…]

Trina Solar Panel Warranties: Deep Dive

Trina solar panel warranty review

Image: Midjourney “bearded man drowning in a sea of warranty documents”

Trina Solar:  A Company That Acts Better Than Its Warranties Require

Trina Solar is a giant Chinese company and, in 2022 was the world’s second-largest producer of solar panels.  Their products are among the most common electricity-producing rectangles on Australian roofs. [Read more…]

A Deep Dive Into REC Solar Panel Warranties

A deep dive into the warranty for REC solar panels

Image: Midjourney, Prompt “a bearded man diving into a warranty document”

REC produces premium solar panels. That means they’re not cheap, but they are high quality.  The company was Norwegian, but its headquarters are now in Singapore, along with its sole factory.  This article will be a deep dive into REC solar panel warranties.  [Read more…]

Premium Feed Tariff & New Hot Water System? Don’t Make This Mistake!

Hot water systems and premium solar feed in tariffs.

A well-meaning plumber recently made a mistake that could have cost a friend hundreds of dollars. Fortunately for her, I was on hand to save the day by explaining that because of her high solar feed-in tariff, her hot water system should only be turned on at night. [Read more…]

Update: ACT’s 0% Sustainability Loans Scheme Gets Better & Worse!

ACT Sustainable Household Scheme - zero interest loans

Zero-interest loans of up to $15,000 are available to most Canberra households and can be used to purchase a range of energy-saving home improvements and electric vehicles. [Read more…]

ACT Pensioner Rebates For Solar & To Help Ditch Gas: How To Apply

Canberra pensioner rebates for solar and ditching gas

If you’re an ACT pensioner interested in getting solar panels installed; provided you live in your own home, I have good news.  To help meet their target of zero net emissions by 2045, the ACT Government is offering a rebate of up to $2,500.

But this isn’t the only good news I have. [Read more…]

Randwick City Council Solar, Battery & Other Rebates Explained

Solar and battery rebates in Randwick LGA

Randwick City Council Has Buckets Of Solar, Battery & Sustainability Rebates

There are a lot of local councils in Australia, but there’s none better than Sydney’s Randwick Council. Their incentives are so generous a household could receive rebates of up to… [Read more…]

Good News! 2022 Was The Worst Year Ever For Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Carbon emissions and coal power

2022 is on its final legs and soon to expire.  Even though it’s disrespectful to speak ill of the soon-to-be departed, I’m going to come straight out and say — when it came to greenhouse gas emissions — 2022 was the absolute worst. [Read more…]

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