Hi everyone,
 
SQ's Ronald put a Mini Electric through its paces recently and was generally pretty impressed with the car's performance. But he was more nervous about testing the electric Mini than he was when he tested a much more expensive Tesla S! Find out why. 
 
Will solar sales soon go to the dogs without batteries? Green Energy Trading's Ric Brazzale thinks after a decade of explosive growth, we’re very close to the peak of new rooftop solar. 
 
Solar panels are generally a robust bit of kit - they have to be to survive decades on a rooftop in often harsh conditions. But they have their limits and not much can stand up to gigantic hail such as was seen in parts of South-East Queensland on Saturday. The damage was shocking.
 
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

The Electric Mini In Australia — Awesome Performance, Lousy Warranty
For two days last week, I managed to get my hands on an Electric Mini Cooper SE. I tried to take it for a spin, but its traction control wouldn’t let me, so the good news is it’s safe to drive. It was also a lot of fun. 
 
Batteries Key To Solar’s Future In A “Post-Peak” Market
Australia has seen a decade of explosive growth in renewables, but there’s another big change coming. According to Green Energy Trading chair Ric Brazzale, we’re very close to the peak of new rooftop solar PV.

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

Clean Energy Regulator Annual Report Released
The Clean Energy Regulator’s 2019-20 Annual Report tabled last week indicates it was another busy year for the CER.
 
Solar Victoria Extends System Installation Deadlines
With solar panel installations underway again in Melbourne, installers have been given some leeway under Victoria’s Solar Homes program in terms of deadlines.
 
Freak Hailstorms Hammer SE QLD Solar Owners
Solar panels are generally pretty tough, but there are limits to what they can handle as demonstrated by the aftermath of freak hailstorms on Saturday in parts of South-East Queensland.
 
Cities Power Partnership Awards Winners Announced
Cities Power Partnership announced winners of the 2020 National Climate Awards last Thursday, an event recognising the achievements of councils across Australia for their climate change efforts.
 
WA’s City Of Albany Council To Boost Climate Action
City of Albany has endorsed a Climate Change Action Declaration that includes a commitment to 100% renewable energy (assumed: electricity) by 2030.
 
Bunnings Shoots For 100% Renewable Electricity By 2025
Hardware and homewares giant Bunnings announced plans to source 100% renewable electricity for its operations by 2025.
 
Johnson And Morrison – One Telephone Call, Two Emissions Tales
British PM Boris Johnson and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison caught up for a telephone chat about emissions reduction. Both sides had somewhat different recollection of the call.
 
Solar Power Remains Australians’ Most Preferred Energy Source
The latest Climate of the Nation report reveals the enduring and increasing popularity of solar energy and a vast majority of Australians wanting coal-fired power stations phased out.
 
Birdwood Solar and Storage Project Progresses
A development application has been conditionally approved by Adelaide Hills Council for a solar farm with battery storage on the outskirts of Birdwood. But the project going ahead is not a done deal..
  
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

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.
 
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.