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

75% of Home Batteries Faulty In Long Term Battery Testing

Canberra Battery Test Centre just released Report #11 describing its third round of battery testing and the results.

I’ll give details below but, if you want a quick overview, I can tell you the new batteries didn’t do well.  Only 2 of the 8 battery brands tested worked as they were supposed to.   The rest had problems that ranged from temporary breakdowns to complete failure. [Read more…]

COP26: Australia Stupid Not To Join Global Methane Pledge

Global Methane Pledge - Australia

Last week at the COP26 in Glasgow, more than 100 nations took the Global Methane Pledge and committed to reducing emissions of this dangerous greenhouse gas 30% by 2030.  It was a shining moment in history as the world’s people came together to act for the common good.

When I say “the people of the world”, I actually don’t mean all of them. [Read more…]

Buying A Battery Without Solar Is No Longer A Crazy Idea

Is a home battery without solar panels worth buying?

SA’s New Solar Sponge Tariffs Can Make Home Batteries Without Solar Panels Pay

South Australia has a lot of solar.  Relative to total generation it’s well ahead of any other state. 

All this solar power reduces daytime wholesale electricity prices.  This is a good thing.  Not only is solar energy clean, it cuts costs for homes and businesses. [Read more…]

Electric Cars Vs Petrol Cars: How Much Can You Save?

The next new car you buy should be electric. 

I’m serious about this.  I’m willing to include fuel-efficient hybrids in my advice for now, but anyone who’s not in the habit of chucking laps around the Strzelecki Desert should consider an all-electric car next time they’re looking to buy a new vehicle or a pricey second hand one. [Read more…]

Are Off Peak Hot Water Tariffs A Waste Of Time For Solar Owners?

Off peak hot water tariffs and solar power

Last week Finn got me into hot water.  He did this by referring me to a study called::

“Analysis of electricity consumption and thermal storage of domestic electric water heating systems to utilize excess PV generation”

Let me translate that from Academeze into English for you:

Are electric hot water systems any good at soaking up excess solar electricity?

Here are some of the findings: [Read more…]

Australian Submarines May Go Nuclear But Our Power Stations Never Will

Nuclear power stations and Australia

Australia recently decided to buy nuclear-powered submarines as part of the AUKUS pact with the UK and United States. 

Assuming it goes ahead, the first sub may be ready around 2040.  But while our submarines may have nuclear reactors, our power stations never will. [Read more…]

5 Reasons You Should Keep Your Grid Connection

Staying connected to the grid with a home battery

Yes, You Can Go Off-Grid With A $10,000 Battery — But I Don’t Recommend It

If you’re sick and tired of paying a supply charge to connect your solar home to the grid, then I have good news.  You can now go off-grid with a battery system for around $10,000. 

The bad news is, I don’t recommend it at all. [Read more…]

Big Trouble For Bad Installers As Clean Energy Regulator Shows Its Teeth

Integrity Review of the Rooftop Solar PV Sector in Australia

Last week the Clean Energy Regulator held an online information session titled, “Update on the Integrity Review of the Rooftop Solar PV Sector.”  It outlined major changes aimed at kicking crap solar installers out of the industry. [Read more…]

Biden Wants US To Go 40% Solar By 2035

USA solar power goal

You may have noticed the US President is looking less orange these days.  Now that “sleepy” Joe Biden is in the White House’s egg-shaped office, American climate change policy is moving in the right direction. [Read more…]

States With The Most Renewables Have The Cheapest Wholesale Electricity

Renewable energy in Australia and wholesale electricity prices

Wholesale electricity spot prices in the two Australian states with the most renewable energy generation — South Australia and Tasmania — are the lowest in the nation and have been for years.  This is good news for anyone who prefers clean energy over dirty. That is everyone who isn’t evil, an idiot, or both. [Read more…]

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