Hi everyone,
 
In South Australia, SA Power Networks (SAPN) will soon be offering some new solar owners in Adelaide a choice between flexible and fixed solar exports - find out more here.
 
Over to NSW now and in an interesting move, a Sydney solar company has decided to stop using string inverters (the most common type) in its installations, switching to microinverters only. Here's why. 
  
Online ads have been popping up all over the place again spruiking a product that promises to slash electricity bills by “up to 90%”. Save your cash and clicks - it's a scam.
 
While on the topic of wasting money, among the many drawbacks of using fossil fuels for electricity generation are the huge costs of stopping and starting coal and gas-fired power stations - discover how much and why.
 
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

Why Starting And Stopping Coal & Gas Power Costs Big Bucks
Coal power is gradually being driven out of business by renewables. It simply can’t compete on price. Most people know coal and gas power stations have to pay for fuel while sunshine and wind are free, but not many know how much it costs to start and stop fossil fuel generators.

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

Ingenuity On Mars – The Little Solar Powered Chopper That Could
NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter successfully completed humanity’s first powered, controlled flight on another planet last night.
  
ClearVue Solar Glass Greenhouse Officially Opened
A high-tech greenhouse comprised mainly of solar glass generating electricity to help run it was officially opened yesterday in Western Australia.
 
South Australia’s Billion Dollar Energy and Emissions Reduction Deal
The South Australian and Federal Governments have inked a $1.08 billion agreement that the pair say will drive down emissions and energy costs.
 
LG Energy Solution Commits To 100% Renewable Electricity
South Korean battery manufacturer LG Energy Solution has announced it is among the newest members of the RE100.
 
Ku-ring-gai Moving Forward On Community Net Zero Emissions
Sydney’s Ku-ring-gai Council has a plan to transition to net zero emissions by 2040 for its own operations. Now it’s looking towards encouraging the entire community to do the same.
 
South Australian Flexible Solar Exports Update
To help accommodate more home solar power in South Australia, SA Power Networks (SAPN) will soon be offering some new solar owners in Adelaide a choice between flexible and fixed exports.
 
No, This Device Will Not Provide Big Electricity Bill Savings
Online ads have been popping up on Australian screens spruiking a magic product that promises to slash electricity bills by “up to 90%”. It’s a scam.
 
Solar Installer Shuns String Inverters, Switches To Microinverters
Citing safety, simplicity, support and performance reasons, NSW’s Penrith Solar has bid farewell to string inverters and is now only installing solar power systems with microinverters.
 
Movement At The Station – Morwell Solar Farm
The public notification period for a solar farm incorporating battery storage on the outskirts of the Victorian coal town of Morwell recently kicked off.
 
Coca-Cola Amatil Joins The RE100
Beverage bottler Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) has joined the RE100 renewable energy initiative after committing to 100% renewable electricity across its operations here and abroad.
  
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.