Can Amber Electric Win Back Tesla Powerwall Customers?

Amber Powerwall onboarding

Amber Electric recently put a hold on adding new Tesla Powerwalls to their novel electricity plan, thanks to some tricky issues between Amber’s SmartShift app and Tesla’s Powerwall control software. The good news? They’re back on track and ready to roll with Powerwalls again. But the big question remains – after this little stumble, can Amber rebuild the trust of their Powerwall customers?
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Sigenergy Battery: If It Lives Up To The Claims – It’ll Be Amazing

sigenergy inverter and battery

*Updated 18/3/24: Errors corrected based on Sigenergy feedback

In the rapidly evolving world of renewable energy and storage, we have often seen products that spark a lot of interest, but turn out to be a flash in the pan. So, you’ll have to forgive my scepticism when a brand-new company puts out a well-orchestrated media release, rave reviews and a showy launch bringing yet more new products to a crowded market.

Sigenergy is certainly making noise, announcing a new range of all-singing, all-dancing, all-in-one energy solutions.

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Powerwall 3: What To Expect When It Arrives In Australia

powerwall 3 and possum

Image: Tesla (possum added). Note: This Powerwall 3 install would not be compliant in Australia. Too close to the windows and requires a fire-rated backsheet because it backs on to a habitable room.

Last week, Tesla officially put the Powerwall 3 up for sale on its US website, and released some previously unknown details about the much anticipated home battery. [Read more…]

Balancing Act: Do You Need Three Batteries On A 3 Phase House?

Power Plus and Selectronic Inverters

One battery and three of the best inverters made anywhere.

It wasn’t so long ago that 1kW was the average size of a solar power system. Keen customers bought 1.5kW. The first 2kW job I did was on a garage full of Mercs that overlooked a winery. Fast forward just a decade and a half and 6.6kW has become the basic measuring stick for quotes, with average system sizes surpassing 10kW.

As system sizes have grown, so has demand for 3 phase solar power.

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Queensland Battery Rebate: A Guide for Homeowners

2 powerwalls

Time to buy a battery or even add a second to your QLD home?

The QLD government has just kicked off the Battery Booster program, a straightforward Queensland battery rebate aimed at reducing the upfront cost of adding a battery to your solar power system. Here’s the no-frills breakdown. [Read more…]

Refurbished Realities: Joe’s Warranty Tussle With His Tesla Powerwall

tesla powerwalls installed in Australia

If your brand-new Powerwall falters, brace yourself for nothing more than a refurbished replacement from Tesla. At least that’s the experience SolarQuotes reader Joe had when his Powerwall stopped working two months after being installed. [Read more…]

“Hazelnut chocolate” Design Improves Solid-State Batteries

The world is flooded with stories about lithium battery fires (more frequently in consumer gadgets than in electric vehicles), putting a premium on battery safety research. [Read more…]

Common Battery Installation Issues: Insights from an Electrical Inspector

As home battery systems start to go mainstream, the focus on the safety and compliance of these systems becomes ever more critical. In this post, I will navigate the complexities of grid-connected battery system installations, uncover common challenges installers face, and underscore the pivotal role of the Australian home battery standard: AS/NZS5139:2019. [Read more…]

Should You Have A Home Battery Safety Plan?

Home battery safety plan

Many local councils actively promote the importance of having a bushfire survival plan to residents. Given the potential risks associated with home batteries, should homeowners also have a dedicated emergency response plan for their home battery systems? [Read more…]

What The Hell Is GivEnergy?

givenergy monitoring portal

Grey clouds. Even the monitoring has a distinctly British flavour.

Recently, I had the pleasure of walking the halls at the All Energy Solar Conference in Melbourne. For those in the industry, we affectionately call it “Solar Xmess” because it’s the one time of year when we can all get together and passionately debate the finer points over a beer. Some might argue that our drinking industry has a solar problem, but that’s a topic for another day. [Read more…]

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