Hi everyone,
 
What a week it's been, with so many Australians experiencing first-hand the more extreme and tragic impacts associated with climate change. The bushfire crisis is far from over and will have an ongoing legacy, including an estimate Australia will likely see 1,000 or more excess deaths due to smoke pollution from the current disastrous bushfire season.
 
Somewhat related - the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) went full evil in its Draft 2020 Integrated System Plan for eastern Australia's power system released in December. 
 
While solar power isn't the only answer to combating rising emissions driving climate change, it certainly plays an important role. On that note, the start of the new year brought changes to Australia’s national solar rebate – but solar power system buyers may not see any significant impact. We also have a recent update on Victoria's solar rebate, which can be claimed along with the national subsidy by VIC folks.
 
If you're thinking of installing solar and worried about a building potentially shading your solar panels, I've put together a DIY guide showing how to quantify how much shade another building or other object will cast, using only free tools anyone can use.
 
More on these and other stories 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

DIY Shadow Analysis: Learn How To Quantify Any Shade Cast On Solar Panels
Learn how to quantify how much shade another building or other object will cast on your solar panels with only free tools anyone can use.
 
AEMO Says They Will Support A Broken Market System That Puts Lives In Danger
The AEMO went full evil in its Draft 2020 Integrated System Plan for eastern Australia's power system. Thankfully it's a draft report, because they have a chance to take the evil out before it's final.
 
Australia Likely To Suffer 1,000 Or More Excess Deaths From Bushfire Smoke
According to UQ Economics Professor, John Quiggin, Australia is likely to suffer 1,000 or more excess deaths due to smoke pollution from the current disastrous bushfire season.
 
Australian Solar Systems Interest Index – January 2020
The last month of 2019 didn’t see the usual degree of slowdown in interest from Australians wanting to bust their electricity bills by installing a solar power system.

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

Zero Mass Water’s New Water-From-Air Extraction System
The company commercially producing a solar powered device that extracts drinking water from air will be showcasing the new Source Rexi hydropanel at CES in Las Vegas this week. 
  
Solar Car Park Latest PV Addition For Brimbank City Council
A 250-space multi-level car park in the Melbourne suburb of Sunshine is now cranking out clean electricity – part of a solar power rollout by Brimbank City Council.
 
A Slow Start For 2020’s First Victorian Solar Panel Rebates 
As at 6AM Monday morning, Solar Victoria’s website indicated 578 rebates for home solar power systems remained in January’s first round (and there were still hundreds left this morning).
 
Horsham Rural City Council Harvesting The Sun
Horsham Town Hall is now reaping the benefits of solar energy, with more solar panel installations for Horsham Rural City Council assets on the way.
 
JA Solar To Build New Cell And Panel Manufacturing Plants
Chinese PV manufacturer JA Solar has announced intentions of expanding its manufacturing capacity with the construction of two new factories in Yiwu City, Zhejiang Province.
 
Australia’s Solar Rebate In 2020 – What You Need To Know
The start of the new year brings changes to Australia’s hugely popular solar rebate – but solar power system buyers may not see any significant impact.
 
Nuclear Power Plant Reactors In Germany, Sweden Shut Down For Good
As Europe increasingly turns to renewable energy based electricity generation options such as wind and solar power, the plugs have been pulled on another 2 nuclear reactors.
 
Baringhup Solar Farm Gets Go-Ahead
A controversial solar energy + battery storage project in the Shire of Mount Alexander in central Victoria has reportedly been given the green light by the state’s planning minister.
  
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

NEW! 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.
 
NEW! 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.