Adding a battery to your solar home can reduce your bills and keep your lights on if there’s a blackout.

But choosing one for your home isn’t as simple as popping down to the shops and getting some AAs.

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The Tesla Powerwall is renowned for being a shiny white slab of energy storage, but what if you’re willing to sacrifice some style for modularity? Are modular home batteries a better choice? [Read more…]

A presentation by a Tesla USA employee, now circulating on YouTube, has provided substantial new information on the Powerwall 3’s confirmed specs. [Read more…]

What are the best home batteries in Australia in 2024? [Read more…]

If only home batteries were this simple

Today’s post explains that no matter how hard you pedal, if you take two wheels off your tricycle, it won’t go anywhere.

In other words, a single-phase battery won’t power a three-phase appliance. [Read more…]

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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*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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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.

Update: 16 August 2024 –Tesla Australia have launched the Powerwall 3 – read all about the launch here. [Read more…]

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

Update 24 Apr 2024: The Battery Booster Program will end at 11:59 pm on 8 May 2024.

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…]