Hi everyone,
 
The Australian Energy Regulator has decided Victorian electricity distributors will be required to make a flat usage tariff available to all residential customers, including solar owners - unless the household has an electric vehicle. Find out more here.
 
Buzz has been building about cryptocurrencies this year - including concerning their related energy consumption. Michael's taken a look at a low-carbon crypto called SolarCoin, which has been around for a while.
  
Still on the topic of financial stuff, we also took a look at the current STC price situation and how it relates to Australia's solar rebate. In a nutshell, it's very a good time to be installing solar panels.
 
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

Victorian DNSPs Must Offer Flat Tariff To All. Except EV Owners
Victorian DNSPs must now make a flat rate electricity tariff available to all solar customers - unless they have an electric car.

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

SA Switch For Solar Initiative Switches On
Over the next year, a thousand South Australian concession holder households are to have free (or almost free) rooftop solar power systems installed by trading in their concession payments.
 
Rooftop Solar Continues Assault On Wholesale Electricity Prices
The Australian Energy Regulator again confirms the role rooftop solar power system owners are playing in in slashing wholesale electricity prices. 
 
Australia’s Clean Energy Regulator Launches Whistleblower App
The agency tasked with oversight of Australia’s various renewable energy schemes – including the one that underpins Australia’s solar rebate – has added another tool to deter and detect dodginess.

Cryptocurrency: What Is SolarCoin?
Given the crazy-high level of interest in cryptocurrencies recently, here’s a look at a comparatively low-carbon cryptocurrency that’s been around for quite a while – SolarCoin.

STC Prices And Australia’s Solar Rebate: Update
STC spot prices have remained pretty strong so far this year, making it a great time to go solar – find out why.

“Sun Tax” Threatens Electricity Network Death Spiral – Or Does It?
The results of a recent survey run by Solar Citizens regarding a controversial draft determination from the AEMC will have solar battery manufacturers salivating.

Broken Hill City Council Looking To Take Operations “Off The Grid”
NSW’s Broken Hill City Council is encouraging the community to get involved in its ambitious renewable energy aspirations.

Budget 2021-22: Renewables Pretty Much Ignored
There wasn’t much expected in Budget 2021-22 for tried and tested renewables or electric vehicles, and that’s exactly what Treasurer Josh Frydenberg delivered.

ADB May (Finally And Formally) Turn Its Back On Coal Power
The Asian Development Bank is testing the waters for a new policy that would forbid it from backing coal mining and new coal power projects.
  
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

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.
 
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.
 
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.