Hi everyone,
 
Have you checked out our new electricity plan comparison tool yet? Currently in beta (i.e. still being developed), it's not designed to make money from you but simply aims to make comparing electricity retailers as transparent as possible for solar owners. Here's how to use it.
 
In other news, a Brisbane researcher has alleged serious security vulnerabilities in a Sungrow inverter - and Sungrow are not happy with him.
 
It's unlikely there are any Australians unaware of the nation's bushfire challenges, yet some low-life thieving bastards have stolen solar panels from a fire lookout tower in Queensland. On a related note, the recent crisis has had some electricity distributors thinking more about utilising solar and battery storage in bushfire-prone areas.
 
More on these and other stories 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

New Retail Electricity Plan Comparison Tool Can Save You Money
Here's how solar owners can use the new SolarQuotes electricity retailer plan comparison tool to help identify what may be a better deal.
 
Sungrow Crabby With Researcher Over Inverter Security Vulnerability Disclosure
A few months after Richard wrote about security in the home renewables space, a Brisbane engineer bought a Sungrow SH5k-20 inverter, decided to “poke around”, and claims to have turned up a crop of serious security vulnerabilities.

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

Thinner Solar Cells = Even Cheaper Solar Panels?
Researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) believe thinner solar cells are the key to even cheaper solar panels and scaling up production.
 
Loddon Shire Council To Decide On Solar Farm
A meeting of Loddon Shire councillors this afternoon may decide the fate of a proposed BayWa r.e. solar energy project not far from Bendigo in Victoria. 
 
Solar Panels Installed For Kimberley Coast Community
160kW of solar capacity has been installed on the rooftops of several community buildings in the remote community of Bidyadanga. 
 
Better Batteries With Relectrify’s BMS+Inverter
Melbourne-based Relectrify has officially launched a battery management system (BMS) it says can boost lithium-ion battery service life by as much a third and reduce cost by up to half compared to other market-leading tech. 
 
More Off-Grid Solar + Energy Storage For The Bush?
The bushfire crisis has some electricity distributors thinking more about utilising solar power and battery storage.
 
Scumbags Steal Solar Panels From Fire Lookout Tower
Low-life, degenerate pus buckets have stolen solar panels that could help save lives from a site near Gympie in Queensland.
 
JinkoSolar Boasts Bifacial Panel Conversion Efficiency Record
Solar module manufacturer JinkoSolar has staked a claim for achieving the highest conversion efficiency in bifacial panels to date.
 
SA Energy Minister Praises Bonney Big Battery
South Australia’s Minister for Energy and Mining Dan “The Battery Man” van Holst Pellekaan is pretty excited about Infigen Energy’s Lake Bonney big battery.
 
Noosa To Host Cities Power Partnership Summit
Noosa Council has been chosen to host a national summit later this year for local government, industry and community leaders doing their bit towards Australia’s energy transformation.
  
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! - 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.