Hi everyone,
 
Welcome to another issue of the Solar Quotes weekly newsletter - please feel free to forward it on to others.
 
I have some very exciting news! 2 years in the writing, my book - The Good Solar Guide: 7 Steps To Tiny Bills For Australian Homeowners - is about to be launched.
 
This book will give you bulletproof confidence when buying solar that you are getting the right size, right brand, and a great installer at a fair price. Learn more about The Good Solar Guide here - pre-order or download the first chapter free! Even if you've already had solar installed, this would be a great guide for others you know just starting to head down the solar path.
 
In other news - micro inverters, DC optimisers, AC solar panels and Maxim chips - these are all solar panel optimisation options with various advantages and disadvantages. I explain them in detail here.
 
Heard of half-cut solar cells or panels? Check out Ronald's post on the technology. Also from Ronald in the past week is an article on Power Of Choice electricity meter reforms that are making life more difficult for Australians.
 
More on 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

Announcing The Good Solar Guide Book
I spent 2 years downloading everything I've learned about buying solar power well into a real, bookstore book. Here I explain why I wrote The Good Solar Guide and what is in it.
 
Solar Panel Optimisation: Micro inverters, DC Optimisers, AC Solar Panels & Maxim Explained.
When buying a solar power system, Solar Panel Optimisation is an optional feature that optimises the output from each panel independently, preventing one poorly performing panel affecting all the others.
 
Half Cut Solar Panels: Higher Efficiency & Better Shade Tolerance
Panels with half cut solar cells use twice as many cells to deliver a solar panel that is slightly more efficient and more tolerant of partial shade. Discover how they work and whether you should use them instead of conventional panels.
 
“Power Of Choice” Pushes Costs Onto Electricity Consumers
Bureaucrats claim giving you even more choice about how you pay for electricity empowers you. But Power Of Choice reforms are making life more difficult for Australians - and time is money.

THE GOOD SOLAR GUIDE PRE-LAUNCH

7 Steps To Tiny Bills For Australian Homeowners!

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. Pre-order or download the first chapter free today!

SOLAR NEWS

More Solar Components De-Listed By The CEC
Australia’s Clean Energy Council has announced the de-listing from its Approved Products List of Samil Power solar inverters and TN Solar panels. 
 
505kW Commercial Solar Project For Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula
Mornington Peninsula salad growers Hussey and Co. are set to have a 505kW solar power system installed at their Somerville facility with the assistance of an Environmental Upgrade Agreement (EUA). 
  Hyundai Heavy Getting Back Into Australian Solar Panel Market
It's been around 7 years since Hyundai solar panels were available in Australia - and they are about to make a reappearance.
 
Allegations Of Synergy Poaching Solar Power Sales
Synergy’s push into the home solar power market has led to complaints that the electricity retailer is pinching solar sales from other installation companies; claims the company denies.
 
Australian Rooftop Solar Continues To Power Ahead
Rooftop solar PV installs this year are 56% above the same period last year says Green Energy Markets’ latest Renewable Energy Index.
 
Fossil Fuel Giant Shells Out Cash To Sonnen
German solar battery manufacturer sonnen has announced its latest financing round raised €60 million (around AUD $92.86 million), and among the investors was Shell Ventures. 
 
The Solar PV Powered Weed Warrior
Perhaps we’ll see Ecorobotix’s solar powered autonomous robot weeder quietly trundling across Australian fields in the not too distant future. 
 
Queensland’s Longreach Solar Farm Inaugurated
Canadian Solar’s $29 million Longreach Solar Farm project had its official inauguration last week
 
TRY Wins Rural Councils Of Victoria Award For Energy Efforts
Totally Renewable Yackandandah has scored another award, winning the Saving Energy category of the Community Innovators Awards at the Rural Councils of Victoria Summit.
 
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 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?
 
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.