Hi everyone,
  
A restrictive 15-year-old rule limits how much solar panel capacity can be connected to your inverter. But you could skirt it with a battery. Discover how.
  
Hate the look of solar panels? Got lots of money? Need a new roof anyway? Then solar tiles might be for you. Here's what you need to know.
  
There was plenty of interest last month in getting solar panels installed sooner rather than later - find out more in the latest SolarQuotes auSSII report.
  
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

How to Beat The Solar Panel Oversize Rule With Batteries
Breaking the infamous ‘133% Solar Oversize Rule’ won’t get you in trouble if you add a battery. Or will it? It depends on who you ask…
 
Should You Get Solar Tiles Instead Of Solar Panels?
I recently attended the 2022 All Energy Australia conference in Melbourne. There was a lot on display, including some Building Integrated PV (BIPV) I hadn’t seen before. 
 
December 2022 Australian Solar Systems Interest Index
During November, Australian households were even more eager to have a solar power system installed as soon as possible. Find out more in the latest auSSII report.
 
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

Victoria’s Wooreen Big Battery Project: Update
EnergyAustralia’s proposed 350 MW/1.4 GWh big battery project in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley is continuing to move forward.
 
CEC Edgy About Solar Accreditation Scheme’s Future
A heads-up concerning applications for installer and designer accreditation scheme operators under Australia’s Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) has been met with a blunt warning from the Clean Energy Council.
 
Ted O’Brien Says It’s Time To Talk Nuclear (Again!)
Nuclear power booster Ted O’Brien has launched a website and survey in an effort to see his small modular reactor (SMR) dreams come true in Australia.
  
Clarence Valley Council’s Big Solar + Battery Boost
NSW’s Clarence Valley Council’s impressive new solar, battery storage and EV charger installation has been completed and is operational.
  
25 Years Of Sungrow Celebrated
From little things, big things grow. Chinese solar inverter and battery manufacturing giant Sungrow has formally celebrated its 25th anniversary.
 
Green Light For Byron Shire Council Solar Farm
Are we there yet? Not quite. But Byron Shire Council’s proposed solar farm project for Myocum just moved another step closer.
 
Unleashing Renewable Energy Storage With Home Battery Subsidies?
A Private Members Bill introduced in February aiming to make home batteries cheaper may have lapsed, but its spirit lives on in recent recommendations from the Smart Energy Council.
 
Solar Victoria Signals QR Code Scanning Crackdown
It seems some solar installers have been naughty when it comes to customer QR code scanning practices under Victoria’s Solar Homes Program.
 
Darwin’s “Big Battery” Project Progresses
An important construction milestone has been reached for the Northern Territory’s Darwin-Katherine Battery Energy Storage System (DK BESS) project.
  
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 2022 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.