Hi everyone,
 
Welcome to another issue of the Solar Quotes weekly newsletter - please feel free to forward it on to others.

Australians are still piling onto the solar bandwagon, with a recent report stating that March rooftop solar installations set a new record. On a related note, if you're in the market for a system, do you really need to use an Approved Solar Retailer? Nope! More on this below.
 
Ronald has posted another item in his series on electric cars, this one related to range, charging and other trivia - including why many electric car owners tend to have small solar power systems. He's also published an article on the solved mystery regarding Reposit GridCredits - find out how much Reposit owners are getting for their battery-stored energy.
 
Links to these stories and other SQ solar news from home and abroad below!
 
By the way, 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

Powershop Removes Mystery About Reposit GridCredits
Finally we can tell you how much Reposit GridCredits are actually worth, thanks to Powershop spilling the beans. So is it worth dropping $1000 on a Reposit controller with your battery?
 
Ronald Checks Out Electric Cars Part 2 — Range, Charging, And Trivia
What I learned about driving electric cars in general from their owners, charging issues and range anxiety; which turns out to be not such a problem after all.
 
Do You Really Need To Buy Solar From A CEC Approved Solar Retailer?
Is the Clean Energy Council’s Approved Solar Retailer program the be-all and end-all for selecting an excellent solar installer in Australia? Nope.

SOLAR NEWS

CEC : National Battery Register Likely To Fail
The Clean Energy Council has warned a proposed national battery installation database will likely fail if the paperwork burden falls squarely on the shoulders of installers.
 
Solar Means Business In The USA (And Australia)
2017 was the third biggest year for on-site solar installations among the USA’s largest companies. The leading business last year was Target for the second year in a row, with 40MW of new capacity installed.
 
Compulsory Solar Power For New Homes In Wollondilly Shire?
Wollondilly Shire’s Deputy Mayor wants to see solar panels compulsory for all new residential housing developments in the region.
 
National Energy Guarantee (NEG) – Where’s It At?
While perhaps not as exciting as the latest solar panel or battery technology, the evolution of the National Energy Guarantee is something worth keeping tabs on.
 
Floating Solar May Appear On New South Wales Dam Reservoirs
NSW Energy and Utilities Minister Don Harwin announces the State Government wants the private sector to invest in small and large scale renewable energy generation using the state’s dams and other water infrastructure – and this could include floating solar energy installations.
 
SunPower Buying SolarWorld (Americas)
SunPower has announced it will be acquiring 100 percent of SolarWorld Americas. The purchase price was not disclosed and the deal is subject to regulatory approvals and other closing conditions.
 
March Australian Rooftop Solar Installations Break Record
March rooftop solar power system installs in Australia represented the highest monthly capacity total ever – 127 megawatts – enough to power the equivalent of 36,710 homes says Green Energy Markets. 
 
Victorian Climate Change Innovation Grant Recipients Announced
The Victorian Government yesterday announced projects sharing in $4.3 million in Climate Change Innovation grants, among which were a few relating to solar energy. 
 
A Fracking Mess – NT’s Hydraulic Fracturing Moratorium Lifted
Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner yesterday announced his government will go ahead with permitting fracking of onshore unconventional shale gas reservoirs in the NT, ending a moratorium on the activity.
 
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

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?
 
Compare Solar Feed In Tariffs 
Make sure you are getting a good solar feed in tariff - try this easy to use comparison tool

Solar Battery Comparison Table
Discover battery prices and specifications of dozens of energy storage solutions with our solar battery storage comparison table.