Hi everyone,
 
Conventional wisdom has been Australians with low electricity consumption should install small solar power systems. That advice is usually wrong these days. Go big - discover why.
 
Last week, I published a couple of short videos featuring my top 4 tips for buying solar and top 4 tips for purchasing battery systems - watch the videos (or read the transcripts) here. 
 
While on the topic of battery storage, Tesla is slashing the cost of Powerwall 2 by $2,200 for South Australians who join their Virtual Power Plant (VPP) for a minimum of one year. We check out the deal and crunch the numbers.
  
In other news, SolarQuotes reader Rocco was told after his solar power system was installed he could not have a feed in tariff and off peak hot water. He went to the ombudsman and won - find out what happened.
 
More on these stories and other 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

Tesla Lowers Powerwall 2 Price $2,200 In SA Virtual Power Plant Deal
New reduced Tesla Powerwall 2 pricing for South Australians is accompanied by a number of conditions. We review the Powerwall home battery deal here.
 
Bigger Is Better — Installing Over 6kW Of Solar Almost Always Pays
If you asked me how much solar you should put on your roof I would say, “As much as you can without doing something stupid like borrowing from the mafia or doubling up on solar panels by stacking them on top of each other.” In other words, install as much as you can without making problems for yourself. 
 
Finn’s Top Tips For Buying Solar Power (And Batteries)
In these short videos (+ transcript), Finn shares his top 4 tips for buying solar power in Australia, plus his top 4 tips for purchasing a home battery system.
 
How Rocco Was Burned By Feed-in Tariff/Hot Water Rules, And Won
A tale brought to our attention by reader Rocco is a handy reminder customers and retailers need to read the fine print of their solar feed-in-tariff contracts – and also highlights how complex wholesaler and retailer rules can get.
 
Australian Solar Systems Interest Index – September 2019
Discover what Australians were wanting in a solar power system (and battery storage) in our latest auSSII report, covering August 2019.

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

Climate Change And Energy In Western Australia – Issues Paper
WA’s McGowan Government is calling on Western Australians to have their say on climate change policy, including issues related to energy. 
 
Bandt Tells Taylor To Do His Job And Extend The RET
Greens climate change spokesperson Adam Bandt MP has called on Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor to “end the war on renewables” and extend Australia’s Renewable Energy Target.
 
Victorian Solar Rebate September Allocation: Take 2
A second attempt to release September’s initial allocation of Victorian rebates for solar power systems under the state’s Solar Homes Program was made last week and was successful. The first allocation was gone in around 40 minutes, but there will be another this month.
 
Risen’s Jäger Solar Panels Available In Australia
Risen Energy has announced its Jäger 330W 120 half-cut cell mono PERC solar panels will be available in Australia this month.
 
Megawatt-Scale Floating Solar Project For NZ
A PV project in New Zealand won’t just be the nation’s largest solar power installation, but also its first floating solar farm.
  
Read more from the blog

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 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 | Installers 
 
Pick up some tips on writing a review.

USEFUL SOLAR INFO

NEW! 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?
 
Compare Solar Feed In Tariffs 
Make sure you are getting a good solar feed in tariff - try this easy to use comparison tool

Solar Battery Comparison Table
Discover battery prices and specifications of dozens of energy storage solutions with our solar battery storage comparison table.