Nerd Alert! Crunching the Numbers on the New 1000V Solar Standard

40kW solar array on a house roof

Whilst we usually try to make our blog posts understandable to almost anyone, this post will get technical, as I show, with numbers, why the new 1000-volt limit for residential solar makes life better for installers and homeowners alike.
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AS4777.1 Updated! A Thousand Reasons To Love New Standards

AS/NZS Standard 4777.1

Australian Standards are too expensive, so we buy them from across the dutch.

Solar installers have a love hate relationship with the Australian standards. But with this week’s update of the solar inverter standard AS4777.1 there’s reasons to celebrate. Read on as I explain how raising the residential solar voltage limit to 1000 Volts DC helps put more solar on your roof and more AC power into your switchboard.

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The Secret To Breaking Australia’s 6.6kW Solar Barrier: Add A Battery

rule 4.2 of SAA solar install guidelines

Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) has just dropped version 1.3 of their solar installation guidelines, and the good news is that they’ve tweaked the rules in Section 4, making it easier to oversize your solar setup without having to tell porky pies. [Read more…]

The Best Solar Inverters In 2024: According To Aussie Installers

What are the best solar inverters in Australia in 2024?

I surveyed SolarQuotes’ network of over 500 Aussie solar installers to find out. [Read more…]

Hybrid Inverter Or Solar Inverter: Which Is Best For Adding Batteries Later?

should you buy a hybrid or regular solar inverter?

Lately at SolarQuotes, we’re getting slammed with this question:

“I’m gonna get a battery at some point. Should I get a hybrid inverter or a regular grid-tie inverter?”

That’s the million-dollar question. I know which one I would get, but I’m not you! [Read more…]

Dynamic Solar Exports Are Mandatory In Victoria From Today

Dynamic solar exports Victoria

Today (March 1st) is “D Day” for inverters installed under Solar Victoria’s rebate programs. “D” for dynamic, that is. [Read more…]

Pint Glasses to Power Grids: Explaining kW and kVA

beer glass explaining kVA

Electrical devices have many different ratings, but one of the most confusing distinctions for the average consumer is between kilowatts (kW) and kilovolt-amperes (kVA).

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Dynamic Solar In Queensland? Redback Have Got Your Back


The Sunshine State puzzles me sometimes. [Read more…]

Are Microinverters Or Optimisers Worth It?

Solar panels with Enphase microinverters and panel level monitoring.

Today I’ll explore optimisers and micro inverters, just how they differ from more conventional solar gear, their advantages and their flip side: being complex and more expensive. [Read more…]

What Happens When Your Solar Inverter Gets Too Hot?

sohott inverter
As the mercury climbs and solar yields improve around the Summer solstice, spare a thought for your inverter, steadfastly sweating away on the wall. High temperatures aren’t just an inconvenience, they’re an electronic health hazard, shortening the lifespan of your inverter. Read on while I explain how heat saps your inverter’s efficiency—and your wallet. [Read more…]

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