Hi everyone,
  
A little lab in Canberra has tried to evaluate the long-term reliability of home batteries for years. Lots of problems have been found along the way. The Canberra Battery Test Centre's final report makes for grim reading.
 
Speaking of battery issues - Judy bought an AlphaESS battery in 2017 and it failed in 2021. Read about her struggle to get a replacement part under warranty.
 
On to a (hopefully) brighter note now. Is Australia's energy crisis starting to subside? It's early days, but recently there were some hopeful signs emerging in wholesale electricity prices.
 
Rising electricity prices certainly acted as a trigger for more Australians to start taking action on installing solar panels (and in some cases, batteries). Find out what they were wanting in a system during July.
  
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 ON SOCIAL MEDIA

SQ VIEWS

AlphaESS Battery: A Warranty Struggle of Odyssean Proportions
Sadly there are some instances where a buyer’s solar dream comes crashing down and turns into a nightmare. The thing is, most of these cases are completely avoidable.
 
Canberra Battery Test Centre Phase 3 Results: Zero Batteries Problem Free
The Canberra Battery Test Centre’s third phase of testing is complete. In fact, all their testing is now finished. They have shut up shop and published their final report.
 
August 2022 Australian Solar Systems Interest Index
Did increased interest in having a home battery installed concurrently with solar panels continue in July? Find out in the latest SolarQuotes auSSII report.
  
Three Days Of Non-Insane Wholesale Electricity Prices Spark Hope
For four months now, electricity prices in the eastern states have been crazy high. But they recently cooled down for a bit to the point where they were just high.
 
Even more news below!

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

Inland Rail Taps Solar Power For Signalling
Australia’s largest freight rail infrastructure project is using solar panels and batteries to power signalling operations on part of the network.
 
Boosted Solar Hosting Capacity For Regional WA With DERMS
The rollout of Horizon Power’s Distributed Energy Resources Management System (DERMS) starting next year will enable regional microgrids in WA to host more solar power systems. Hopefully this time around spare capacity won’t be just a flash in the pan. 
 
WA’s Biggest Battery: KBESS Construction Update
The first energy storage units were installed at Synergy’s big battery site in the Perth suburb of Kwinana on Friday.
 
AusNet Planning Huge Battery In Melbourne
There’s not much in the way of publicly available information at this stage, but Distributed Network Service Provider (DNSP) AusNet appears to be planning for a mighty big battery in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.
 
Electrify 2515: Australia’s First Fully Electric Community?
Rewiring Australia is hoping to subsidise and support around 500 households in New South Wales’ 2515 postcode area to go fully electric.
 
Greens To Support “Dutton-Proofed” Labor Climate Bill
Australian Greens Leader Adam Bandt says his party will now support Labor’s Climate Change Bill 2022 in the House of Representatives and the Senate.
 
QLD Shopping Centres Switching To 100% Renewable Electricity
Scentre Group has inked an agreement to source 100 per cent renewable electricity for its Queensland Westfield Living Centres – but it will be a couple of years before it kicks in.
 
Ballarat’s Net Zero Emissions Plan
The Ballarat community has been invited to have their say on a draft plan designed to help support the community reach net zero emissions by 2030.
  
Read more from the blog

SOLAR TOOLS & REVIEWS

There's a bunch of hardware and installer reviews along with handy and easy to use tools and calculators on SolarQuotes. Find them 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.

FINN'S "101" GUIDES

Understanding Solar
This runs through the basics of residential solar energy and the components that make up the system. It demystifies the magic turning sunlight into clean power for your home that can save you a bundle of cash on your electricity bills, and clearly explains some important concepts you should understand.
 
Buying Solar
My original guide, updated for 2021 that also includes a printable and video version. Now you have a basic understanding of all the bits that make up a solar power system and how they work to generate electricity, it’s time to think about getting quotes. After reading this, you’ll be able to communicate effectively with a salesperson and be confident you’re paying the right amount of money for a properly-sized system with the right components  – and from the right installer.
 
Owning Solar
The panels are now on your rooftop and the installers have packed up and left. What should you do now and how can you make the most of the new valuable addition to your home? From checking the installation to maximising electricity bill savings, find the answers here.
 
Understanding Home Batteries
This chapter will provide you an understanding of solar batteries – and will help you determine if installing one is right for you. It covers topics such as how a home battery works, the different types of energy storage and how energy storage can save you money.
 
Buying Solar Batteries
My guide to buying solar battery storage provides useful advice on how to go about purchasing a good quality home battery system installation at a reasonable price – and how to identify some of the traps. By reading this, you’ll be better equipped to make a solid purchase decision.
 
Owning A Battery System
As the proud new owner of home energy storage, you’ll want to make the most of it. This chapter provides very useful information about owning a battery system and maximising the benefits it can provide.
 
EV Charging 101
This comprehensive guide covers pretty much everything you’ll need to know about EV charging at home and away from it; and all explained clearly.