Hi everyone,
 
Worried about shade from trees for an upcoming solar panel installation? A popular solar design tool now offers virtual shade analysis - find out more here.
  
It may come as a surprise to some, but regional Queensland does have a (limited) choice of electricity retailers. But is it worth switching away from Ergon Energy? We do the maths.
 
Over to hardware - REC announced last week its TwinPeak 4 solar panels will go into production soon and SunPower's spinoff provided a look at its frameless, lightweight "peel and stick" Maxeon Air solar panels.
 
The focus from some media outlets on certain aspects of Australian Energy Market Commission proposals to help ensure many Australians can benefit more from installing solar panels well into the future has resulted in confusion among some solar owners. This is understandable if they don’t have all the information - or the right information. To help address this, the AEMC released another explainer document last week - learn more about it here.
 
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

Regional Queensland Electricity Retailer Choice. Which Is Cheapest?
Do you live in regional Queensland? Do you think your only choice of electricity retailer is Ergon Energy? Then I have exciting news for you. 
 
Australian Solar Design Tool Adds Remote Shading Analysis
Some of you will be aware of — or be users of — Pylon’s solar design and quoting tool: Pylon Observer. This year, the company announced an important new tool as part of Observer – remote solar shading analysis.

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

Roseworthy Solar and Energy Storage Project Fully Operational
The University of Adelaide officially opened a $7 million solar and energy storage project at its Roseworthy campus last week.
 
Singleton Council’s Solar Power Cash Splash
New South Wales’ Singleton Council is spending close to a million dollars on a solar power and LED lighting rollout this year. 
 
Pigeon-Proofing Solar Panels
Pigeons are a pesky creature when it comes to solar panels, not just because of their pooping on top, but what can go on underneath.
 
AEMC Responds To “Solar Tax” Confusion And Misinformation
The Australian Energy Market Commission has copped some undeserved flak over its proposals to help ensure many Australians can benefit more from installing solar panels well into the future.
 
REC Launches TwinPeak 4 Solar Panels
Solar panel manufacturer REC has announced the 4th generation of its TwinPeak series is starting production this month and will be potentially available from July/August.
 
Solar Energy Helping To Power Two More Vicinity Shopping Centres
Two more major rooftop solar installations part of Vicinity Centres’ $73.2 million PV rollout are now operational – one in Queensland and the other in Western Australia.
 
Maxeon Air: Frameless, Lightweight Stick-On Solar Panels
Maxeon Solar Technologies has provided a peek at what it calls a “disruptive technology platform” – Maxeon Air solar panels.
 
School Strike 4 Climate + Not Business As Usual
Two actions last Friday aimed to send (yet another) clear message to the Morrison Government that clinging to fossil fuels is simply not on in what needs to be a net-zero world.
  
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.