Hi everyone,
 
Last was a difficult one for solar installers and their customers in Melbourne while awaiting news of whether home solar installations can continue in the metropolitan area under Stage 4 restrictions. 
 
This week hasn't gotten any better, with an announcement on the weekend that solar panels won't be able to be installed in most cases while Stage 4 restrictions are in place. Installations in regional Victoria (Stage 3 restrictions) can continue under certain conditions. Find out more here.
 
It's a blow to the industry and customers alike. But during Stage 4, metropolitan Melbourne solar businesses will still be quoting (no home visits of course) and can consult via phone, email, chat and video conferencing (e.g. Zoom). So, if you're in the discovery phase of going solar, it's a good time to do further research and get your ducks lined up ready for when restrictions lift.
 
Now to some news from  South Australia - as things currently stand, no solar inverter can be installed in SA from September unless it passes a new low-voltage ride-through testing procedure. Discover more.
 
Over to the ACT, where ACT Labor has promised to offer interest-free loans for solar power, home batteries, and heat pump hot water systems to households - but there is a catch. Find out what it is.
 
On the national front, the Australian Energy Council recently published its Q2 2020 solar report that indicates COVID-19 hasn't slowed down solar panel installations, but solar battery installs have dropped.
 
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

AEC Report: Solar Installations Up, Battery Installs Down in 2020
The Australian Energy Council has run the numbers on Aussie solar. COVID-19 hasn't slowed solar panel installs, but the number of battery installations has dropped.
 
ACT Labor Promise Interest Free Loans For Solar, Batteries, And Heat Pumps
ACT Labor will offer interest-free loans for solar power, home batteries, and heat pump hot water systems to Canberra households. But there is a catch. This will only happen if they win the upcoming election.
 
SA Australia’s Guinea Pig For Inverter Low Voltage Ride-through Procedure
Friends, it’s arrived: the Australian Energy Market Operator has published its standard low voltage ride-through test procedure for inverters - and South Australia will enforce it in just a few weeks.

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

QLD’s Bundaberg Regional Council Assessing New Solar Farm Application
An application was lodged last week with Bundaberg Regional Council for a proposed solar farm at Isis River, around 50 kilometres from the city.
 
UniSA Research: Rethinking Solar Panel Orientation
A UniSA solar researcher says it’s time to rethink solar panel orientation (direction) to better suit peak electricity usage periods and maximise solar energy self-consumption.
 
NSW’s Hawkesbury Council Seeks Input For Net Zero Emissions Strategy
Sydney’s Hawkesbury City Council is asking residents for their ideas to help it build on its emissions reduction efforts and become a net-zero emissions organisation.
 
Call For Solar Panels And Batteries At All QLD Public Hospitals
Four health and medical associations are calling for solar power and battery systems to be installed at all 122 public hospitals in Queensland.
 
Installing Solar Panels In Melbourne Under Stage 4 Restrictions
Home solar power system installations will generally *not* be able to go ahead in Melbourne due to Stage 4 restrictions while those restrictions are in place – but can proceed in regional Victoria under certain conditions.
 
Gulgong Solar Farm Application Denied
Development approval for a proposed small utility-scale solar farm to be built near the town of Gulgong in New South Wales has been denied.
 
Survey Seeks NSW Strata Owner/Renter Feedback On Solar
Strata apartment, townhouse and villa owners, committee members and tenants in NSW were invited to have their say on barriers to installing sustainability infrastructure including solar panels and battery systems.
 
CEFC Backing Solar Powered Fertiliser Production
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation announced it is investing in a Sulphate of Potash (SOP) project in Western Australia harnessing the energy of the sun.
 
First WA Schools VPP Project Participant Named
The first school has been confirmed for Western Australia’s McGowan Government’s Schools Virtual Power Plant pilot project.
 
Climate Council: Just Say No To Narrabri Gas Project
The Climate Council hasn’t minced words in its submission to the NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC) on the Narrabri Gas Project.
  
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

NEW! - 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.
 
NEW! - 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.
 
NEW! 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.