Hi everyone,
 
SolarQuotes TV episode 7 is now live!
  
This month - are home batteries finally poised to go mainstream in Australia? And in a 17-kilometre race in to the city, which wins - a battery-assisted bike or an electric car? Tesla Powerwall vs. lead acid batteries, a debate between a battery cynic and a true believer plus much more in episode 7 of SolarQuotes TV. Check it out here!

Is your solar inverter subject to direct sunlight? A solar installer wanted to protect customers’ inverters from direct sunlight (a warranty requirement and this also extends inverter service life), so he's manufacturing purpose-built shade covers in Newcastle. Learn more about Sunny Covers.
 
Over to the ACT, where the local government's Sustainable Household Scheme is making zero-interest, zero-fee loans available to households for rooftop solar, batteries, electric car chargers and energy efficiency measures. It's a great way to finance solar panels, but you won't believe the small print - some of it is seriously disturbing.
 
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

The Rise Of The Battery: SolarQuotes TV Episode 7
Home battery tipping point in Australia, electric bike vs. electric car, the great battery debate, Powerwall 2 vs. lead acid batteries plus much more!
 
Sunny Covers Now Shipping Newcastle-Made Inverter Shade-Box
Good ideas can come from little things. When solar installer Perry Borg wanted to protect customers’ inverter warranties with extra sun protection, he couldn’t really find what he wanted, so he decided to design and manufacture purpose-built protectors.
  
ACT Sustainable Household Scheme: 0% Loans With Batshit Crazy Small Print
The ACT’s Sustainable Household Scheme will soon be in full operation. Find out more about its benefits and shortcomings here.
 
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

Taylor Happy With Australia’s Emissions Reduction Efforts
We could all do with some good news – but unfortunately the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change didn’t deliver it.
 
Bebot: Solar Power Assisted Beach Cleaning Robot
This solar-assisted remote-controlled sand sifting robot may play a small part in helping to keep beaches clean.
 
Solar Rollout Celebrations In Western Australia’s Derby
The completion of streetlight upgrades and rooftop solar installations on a bunch of WA’s Shire of Derby/West Kimberley buildings was celebrated last week.
 
Shoalhaven Solar Farm To Support Even More Renewables
Upfront rental income paid to Shoalhaven City Council for the site of a solar farm has been earmarked to support new renewable and energy efficiency projects.
 
Clean Energy Regulator 2021-2022 Compliance & Enforcement Priorities 
The agency tasked with the oversight of programs under Australia’s Renewable Energy Target has set out where it will focus its compliance and enforcement activities for the year ahead.
 
Victorian Liberals Fire Up Over Big Battery Blaze
Victoria’s Shadow Minister for Energy and Renewables isn’t impressed with the Andrews Labor Government’s handling of the Victorian Big Battery fire.
 
Town Of Port Hedland Looks To Solar Power
Western Australia’s Town of Port Hedland (council) looks set to jump on the solar energy bandwagon, with 2.6MW of projects on the cards.
  
SolarEdge Announces Record Revenues
Israel-headquartered inverter and power optimiser manufacturer SolarEdge saw record revenues in both its solar and non-solar businesses in the second quarter.
  
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.

"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 that turns 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.