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

Is SunPower’s Product Warranty All It’s Cracked Up To Be?

October 2, 2018 2018-10-02T15:02:20 by 21 Comments
cracked solar panel

Is cracked silicon a defect that should be covered under the Product Warranty? Or is a crack only a defect if if affects performance?

When it comes to solar panel manufacturers, SunPower is basically royalty.  At 33 years old I can’t think of any solar panel focused company that’s survived longer.  It was founded in 1985 by Richard Swanson who is a solar panel genius.  By that I mean he’s been an important figure in field of solar photovoltaics and not that he’s a talking solar panel or something. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Solar Panels

Sonnen Battery Updated For Australia: New Prices, Features & Specs Revealed

September 26, 2018 2018-10-07T22:39:53 by 53 Comments
Sonnen battery update - sonnenBatterie Eco 9.43 review

Sonnen updates their battery systems: outdoor enclosure, backup option and lower pricing now available.

Sonnen claim to be the first company to successfully market on-grid home battery systems.  Founded in Germany in 2010, they have sold systems to Australians for two years now.  Their 9th generation of home batteries — known as the sonnenBatterie Eco 9.43 — have been on sale in Oz since the 16th of August.  [Read more…]

Filed Under: Battery Storage

How To Save Money With The South Australian Home Battery Scheme

September 20, 2018 2018-09-25T07:18:22 by 24 Comments
South Australian Home Battery scheme

Wahey! In SA it is possible to save money with batteries – thanks to the battery rebate.

For a long time now Australia has been drawing closer to the day when home batteries will pay for themselves.  With the announcement of  South Australia’s battery subsidy scheme we know that day will soon come — unless the scheme’s lack of competition prevents battery prices from falling enough. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Battery Storage

The Gigawatt Project Reviewed: Solar For Rented Roofs

September 18, 2018 2023-01-31T11:46:25 by 2 Comments
gigawatt project review - solar power for renters

Another company who can help get solar on tenant’s roofs is the Gigawatt Project. Ronald looks over the details…

The Gigawatt Project is a Queensland company that helps put solar panels on the roofs of rental properties.  They give tenants some of the savings from rooftop solar power while giving landlords a good enough return to make installing it worthwhile.  In Queensland the Gigawatt Project can:

  • Install a solar power system.
  • Monitor tenant electricity use.
  • Bill tenants for solar electricity they use at a rate less than the cost of grid electricity.  The bill is paid to the landlord.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Solar Innovations

SA Battery Rebate: Examining The Scant Details Released So Far

September 10, 2018 2024-12-10T08:27:54 by 26 Comments
sa battery rebate details

Battery Subsidy Scheme Outline Released By South Australian Government Is Short On Details

As part of their election campaign the the South Australian Liberal Party promised to provide a $100 million home battery subsidy.  Five months after victory they have released information outlining the subsidy scheme that will: [Read more…]

Filed Under: Battery Storage

Tindo Solar Claim Spectacular Reliability: 3 Failures From 240,000 Sold

September 4, 2018 2018-09-04T12:21:43 by 10 Comments
tindo solar panels

Lots Of Good News About Tindo Solar – Including An Annual Failure Rate As Low As 1 In 200,000 Panels

If you are in the market for some Australian made solar panels then I have great news for you.  It involves Tindo Solar as they are the only Australian manufacturer of panels.  If someone selling any other brand of panels says or suggests they were made in Australia, be super suspicious about that. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Solar Panels

New Battery Safety Guide: What’s The Crack?

August 31, 2018 2018-08-31T06:04:03 by 8 Comments
battery safety guide

“Best Practice Guide: Battery Storage Equipment — Electrical Safety Requirements.” What’s In It And Who’s It For?

In July 2018 the “Best Practice Guide: Battery Storage Equipment — Electrical Safety Requirements” was published.  This was a momentous event in the history of battery safety guides and I can remember exactly where I was when I heard the news.  I was in Australia1.  Before this day there was no specific product safety guide covering lithium home batteries.  But now, in our time of need, it is here. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Battery Storage

Budget Solar: How To Save Money While Avoiding Disaster

August 28, 2018 2018-08-28T08:26:29 by 19 Comments
How to buy solar power on a budget - tips

How To Save Money On Solar Power Without Compromising Too Much On Quality

I’ve covered a lot of ground in various articles I’ve written for the SolarQuotes blog.  But one thing I’ve never delved deeply into is the fundamental nature of the human soul.  Perhaps because at some level we fear the stark dichotomy that dwells inside us.  Within every human being there is a fundamental struggle between the desire to spend big and buy nice things and the desire to cheap out and save a few bucks. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Solar Panels

Victoria Solar Rebate Update — Get Your Fresh Details Here!

August 21, 2018 2019-04-12T13:57:43 by 13 Comments
Victoria Solar Homes rebate update

Victoria’s Solar Rebate Update — Get Your Fresh Details Here While They’re Hot!

Victoria’s Solar Homes rebate program was announced on Sunday and this article I wrote on it was published yesterday.  Since then fresh information has come to light on the State Government’s Solar Victoria site.  This article covers what’s new including details on a $1,000 solar hot water rebate. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Solar Policy

Victorian Solar Rebate Explained: Up To 50% off Solar – Starting Now

August 20, 2018 2024-01-25T09:03:35 by 53 Comments
Solar Homes rebate program - Victoria

A massive new solar subsidy is now available in Victoria. Here’s how it works and how much it can save you.

Hey, Victorians!  Listen up!  If you want solar panels your state government has just made things fantastic for you.  They will now cover up to half the cost of a new solar power system. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Solar Policy
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