Hi everyone,
 
A house surrounded by lush green trees is a wonderful thing. But will those trees make installing solar panels pointless? Learn how to find out.
 
The number of home batteries installed in Australia at the start of 2020 was about 73,000. But some experts were predicting up to 2 million by this year. Discover why home battery uptake forecasts have been so wrong.
 
Still on the topic of batteries, research out of the ANU finds community batteries bring more benefit than individually owned home energy storage systems.
 
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

How To Evaluate Solar When Your House Is Nestled Among Trees
There's nothing better than a house surrounded by lush green trees. But will those trees make installing solar panels pointless? Here's how to find out.
 
Why Have Home Battery Forecasts Been Staggeringly Wrong For Years?
The number of home batteries installed in Australia at the start of 2020 was about 73,000. Experts were predicting up to 2 million. What went wrong?
 
Community Batteries Benefit The Grid More Says Latest Research
New research out of the Australian National University shows community batteries bring more benefit than individually owned home energy storage systems.

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

Australian Rooftop Solar A Jobs Powerhouse
A new report published by the Clean Energy Council states small scale solar power employed around 37% of Australia’s clean energy workforce last year. 
 
Cabonne Council Adopts Renewable Energy Action Plan 
A renewable energy plan adopted by NSW’s Cabonne Council could result in rooftop solar installed on multiple Council facilities and/or multiple small solar farms popping up around the LGA. 
 
More Australian Support For Solar Power In Tonga
The Australian Government has kicked in another $2.9 million for new renewable energy infrastructure in the Polynesian kingdom of Tonga.
  
Sungrow Commits To 100% Renewable Electricity
China’s Sungrow, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of solar inverters, has pledged to switch to 100% renewable energy for its electricity requirements by 2028. 
  
University of Manchester To ‘Decarbonise’ Investments
The UK’s University of Manchester has announced it will dump investments in fossil fuel reserve and extraction companies – and take efforts a step further.
  
AYCC Launching QLD Renewable Energy Recovery Campaign
The Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) is demanding a renewables-led COVID-19 economic recovery for Queensland, and it’s about to virtually assemble its troops.
  
Aussies Vs. Kiwis On Climate Change Action Satisfaction
Between Australians and New Zealanders, who are the most satisfied with their respective government’s action on climate change?
 
Australian Energy Statistics (Electricity Generation) For 2019
The Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources has released electricity generation statistics covering last year in Australia that show solar energy’s continued ascent and coal power’s ongoing decline.
 
Another Step Towards Sun Cable 
Guardian Geomatics recently announced it had been awarded a cable route survey contract by Sun Cable for a proposed major PV project that will see solar electricity generated in Australia exported to Singapore.
  
Read more from the blog

RELEVANT COVID-19 INFO

Making Going Solar A COVID-19-Free Experience
In among all the challenges of late, some good news is arranging the purchase of a solar power system and having it installed doesn’t require you to be in close physical contact with anyone – social distancing can be observed.
  
The Value Of Solar In Uncertain Times
Solar installers are still working – albeit with extra precautions. Make your investments dependent on the strength of the sun – not the strength of the economy.
 
8 Reasons Why Right Now Is A Great Time To Go Solar
Australians have been a little distracted lately – and who can blame them? But the distraction is leading to some missing out on the advantages of installing solar panels right now.
 
Most Commercial Solar Can Now Get Instant Asset Write-Off Until June 30
The Federal Government announced a $17.6 billion economic stimulus including tax deduction incentives that makes commercial solar power even more attractive
 
How The Financial Stimulus Can Help Your Solar Business
If you own a solar business, the government has announced a surprisingly generous support package for small/medium businesses. Here’s what you need to know.

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 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.
 
NEW! - 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.
 
NEW! 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.
 
NEW! 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.
 
NEW! 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.