On Thursday Tesla announced it will lower the price of its Powerwall 2 battery storage system by $2,200 for South Australian residents. This will make the Powerwall 2’s minimum installed cost around $7,100. After adjusting for the SA battery subsidy it’s now only around $1,000 more than it was at the start of 2018. With luck we won’t have to wait too much longer for it to be back down to where it was 20 months ago. [Read more…]
Canberra’s Battery Subsidy Is Up To $24,450
Do you live in the ACT and want the highest solar battery rebate in Australia? Well, you can’t have it! The only way you can get that is to move your ACT arse to SA. If you come to Adelaide be sure to bring some kangaroos with you because, unlike Canberra, we never see them hopping through the suburbs here. [Read more…]
Investing In Solar Only Vs. Solar + Batteries – Compare The Pair
Solar panels only or solar power + battery – how do the numbers really stack up? I clearly explain all the maths so you can see the big difference for yourself. [Read more…]
Good News! Tesla Drops Price Of Powerwall 2 By $650 — Less Than One-Quarter Previous Price Hike
This morning I woke up, checked the horse was still alive, checked the children were still alive,1 and then checked my email. To my surprise there was one from Finn telling me the price of the Tesla Powerwall 2 had dropped. [Read more…]
SA Energy Minister — Dan Pellekaan — Says $9,300 For A Tesla Powerwall 2 Is “Very Expensive”
Last month my boss, Finn, received a letter inviting him to a “Home Battery Forum” hosted by South Australia’s Minister for Energy and Mining, Daniel Cornelius van Holst Pellekaan, at the Marion RSL. As Finn couldn’t make it and I was curious what the Dutchest of all Australian Energy Ministers had to say, I attended. [Read more…]
Sunrise TV Gets It Wrong: Installing Batteries Will Lose Most Households Money
If you told me two years ago you spent $46,000 on a solar and battery system and it saved you $4,000 a year, my reaction would be, “I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.” [Read more…]
6th Canberra Battery Test Centre Report — 61% Of Tested Batteries Faulty
The Canberra Battery Test Centre has released their latest six monthly report. It took them 9 months to get it out, but I’m glad they took their time, as it’s a beauty. [Read more…]
Australian Standard For Battery Testing Gets Closer
Out of my twenty-four 2V, 1200AH batteries, one has developed a fault and is dragging on the whole system. It would be a simple warranty claim except that I have to get the battery tested, and where I live nobody has the equipment needed.
As a result of my battery discussions with my installer, I was very interested to learn that a solar battery performance standard is under development; so last Thursday (June 20), I joined a webinar hosted by the Smart Energy Council briefing the industry on its progress. [Read more…]
Good People Making Bad Decisions: A ‘Community Solar’ Case Study
The Alternative Technology Association (ATA to its friends) is a wonderful organisation. They started as the Alternative Technology Cooperative in 1980 and ever since they have been urging Australians to think differently and more sustainably about how they use and generate energy. [Read more…]
Want A Battery? Then Don’t Claim The $2,250 Victorian Solar Rebate
Update 17 May 2019: Solar Victoria have provided us with two clarifications
- The VIC battery rebate is capped at 1,000 per year for 10 years. So there is a chance you won’t get it even if eligible. Bear that in mind if you decide not to claim the VIC panel rebate.
- You can pay a deposit before you apply for your rebate – but it is recommended that your installer confirms, in writing, that it will be refunded if you don’t get the rebate.
At the moment the Victorian solar industry is at a standstill. Phones that were ringing off the hook two weeks ago have fallen silent. [Read more…]
Currently Raging Debates: