Hi everyone,
 
If one renewable energy technology for your home deserves particularly careful due diligence, it’s the home battery system. A solar battery is an incredibly dense box of energy. If something goes wrong, the consequences could be dire.
 
We asked top Australian installers what solar battery brands they would trust to put on their own homes. Find out what brands were voted the best solar batteries in 2021. You can also see the results of voting for the best solar panels and best inverters.
 
Back in late April, the ABC's 7.30 Report ran a segment on home solar in Australia that caused a bit of a stir among prospective and existing solar owners. There was a lot in the segment that needed clarification and some of it was just plain wrong. Ronald and I analyse the 7.30 Report story here.
 
Victoria looks set to become the only place in the world to tax every kilometre driven by electric cars, which would pay for a $3,000 electric car rebate. You couldn't make this stuff up.
 
Still in Victoria, a dodgy solar company has been hit with a $3 million fine and its director ordered to cough up $450,000.
  
And, in case you missed it last week, SolarQuotes TV Episode 4 delved into big rooftop solar: why it’s so desirable and what needs to be done in Australia to better support it given the challenges our grid faces.
 
More news below!
 
Don't forget you can get 3 solar quotes from trusted solar installers at our website - and everyone can also stay in touch with what's happening on SQ via our Facebook page.
 
Regards,

SQ VIEWS

Best Home Batteries In 2021? The Brands Top Solar Installers Trust
We asked top Australian installers what solar battery brands they would trust to put on their own homes in 2021. Find out the results here.
 
About That Recent ABC 7.30 Report Story On Home Solar
Finn and Ronald scrutinise a recent ABC 7.30 Report segment on home solar power - there was a lot that needed clarification.
 
Victoria’s Electric Car Tax Robs Peter To Pay Peter
Victoria will deincentivise electric cars by taxing every kilometre driven. This will pay for a $3,000 electric car rebate. Absolute madness.
 
Australian Solar Systems Interest Index: May 2021
Discover what Australian solar and battery buyers were wanting in a system during April 2021 in the latest SolarQuotes auSSII report.

THE GOOD SOLAR GUIDE - READ ONLINE FREE!

7 Steps To Tiny Bills For Australian Homeowners - An Amazon Best-Seller!

The Good Solar Guide, authored by SolarQuotes founder Finn Peacock, demystifies the solar buying process in Australia; showing you how many panels you need, which panel brands to buy, which to avoid, and how to find a great installer.

The seven-step process revealed in this book, developed over 10 years in the industry, walks you through understanding, evaluating, buying, installing and using solar to deliver on its promise of tiny electricity bills. Order the book (available in paperback or Kindle) or read the whole book online free! Yes, for free. Crazy eh?

SOLAR NEWS

Redflow Unveils Energy Pod Z Battery Storage
Australia’s Redflow has taken the wraps off its high-voltage energy storage product for grid-scale applications – the Energy Pod Z.
 
Australian Average Solar System Capacity Continues Upwards
As small-scale solar power installations proliferate in Australia, also growing is average system capacity.
 
AGL And Greenpeace Go Into Battle
AGL and Greenpeace Australia Pacific are readying to rumble over the latter’s latest climate change related campaign.
 
Dodgy VIC Solar Company Hit With $3 Million Fine
This should hopefully make some shonky solar sellers sit up, take notice and reconsider their approach – or get out of the solar game altogether.
 
WA Smart Sun Pilot VPP Hailed A Success
The completed trial of what was regional Australia’s first Virtual Power Plant (VPP) in Broome, Western Australia has paved the way for similar projects to be rolled out.
 
Northern Territory Extends Home And Business Battery Scheme
The NT’s Gunner government is pumping more cash into a scheme assisting Territorians to install solar + battery systems and retrofit energy storage.
 
Solar Powering Karragarra Island Composting Trial
It’s hoped solar energy will help residents of Karragarra Island in Brisbane’s Moreton Bay better deal with organic food waste.
 
Armidale Council Eager For Metz Solar Farm Construction Kickoff
Armidale Regional Council is looking forward to the economic benefits it expects the Metz Solar Farm and other renewable energy projects will bring to its region.
  
Read more from the blog

POPULAR SOLAR TOOLS

There's a bunch of handy and easy to use tools and calculators on SolarQuotes. You can find a selection of my most popular tools by clicking here.

FRESH IS BEST

If you're yet to get 3 obligation-free solar quotes from our network of trusted installers, or perhaps you didn't go ahead on a set of quotes issued previously for whatever reason and still want to install solar, now is a great time to submit for fresh quotes!

SUBMIT YOUR SOLAR REVIEW

If you're an Australian solar power system owner and would like to share a review of your solar panels, inverters, battery or installer with other potential Australian PV buyers to assist them in a purchase decision, SolarQuotes is the place to do it!
 
Please note in the case of solar panel and inverter reviews, the equipment should have been installed for at least one year.
 
Submit a review: Panels | Inverters | Batteries | Installers 
 
Pick up some tips on writing a review.

USEFUL SOLAR INFO

Solar Battery Reviews
We've kicked off our new battery reviews section with more than 40 manufacturers listed where you can find more information on energy storage companies and read or submit reviews.
 
Virtual Power Plant Comparison Table
Find out details of various Virtual Power Plant (VPP) programs on offer in Australia with our regularly updated VPP comparison table. See which VPP might be best for your home or business.
 
Solar And Battery Calculator
Our  new solar calculator provides you a complete picture of the savings and payback for solar power in Australia - with or without batteries - and it's very simple to use.
 
Solar In Your Location
Our extensive database contains useful information and up-to-date statistics on solar energy for practically every town and suburb in Australia.
 
Compare Electricity Retailers: Solar Feed-In Tariffs & Energy Prices
An easy to use comparison tool enabling you to instantly see which electricity retailers would be cheapest for a typical solar power system owner in your postcode.

Solar Panel Comparison Table
Easily compare solar panels, specifications and their prices side-by-side in our new solar panel comparison table.
 
Solar Power Forecast Tool
We developed this handy tool in collaboration with WeatherZone to help you forecast your solar system's output up to 48 hours ahead. 

Important Mistakes To Avoid In Buying Solar 
Don't become a lost sheep in a field of wolves. Learn about the top 7 mistakes people make when buying solar power systems.



13 Questions To Ask A Solar Company
Before you sign on the dotted line, ensure you have satisfactory answers to these important questions.

Solar Battery Storage Explained
How to buy a solar system with battery storage. Do you need backup functionality or not? How much should you pay, and what batteries are safe and reliable?
 
Solar Battery Comparison Table
Discover battery prices and specifications of dozens of energy storage solutions with our solar battery storage comparison table.