Ten years ago, the average size residential solar system was around 2.6kW (approx. 13 panels at 200 watts per panel). Today it’s around 6.6kW (approx. 17 panels at 390 watts per panel). Industry projections are for the average size to increase to 10kW or more. In fact, that’s happening already. Look around and you’ll see […]
Category: analysis
GST: A ticking time bomb for the Australian solar industry
There’s a right way and a wrong way to calculate GST on residential solar power (PV) systems. For various reasons, some solar companies are calculating GST in the wrong way. This is resulting in a massive underpayment of GST by Australian solar companies worth millions in unpaid taxes. This is a ticking time bomb for […]
Will I be charged for my solar exports anytime soon?
You may have heard about a proposed “Sun Tax” on solar exports. Maybe you’ve seen recent media coverage about curtailment of rooftop solar. Clearly, there are challenges in the national electricity market. But does that mean you’re going to be charged for exporting your surplus solar to the grid? The short answer is ‘probably not’. […]
Bigger rebates for Victorian households who join a new Virtual Power Plant Pilot
Victorian homeowners who purchase battery storage now have the option to join a new Virtual Power Plant Pilot (VPP) through the Victorian Government’s Solar Homes Program. If eligible, homeowners will receive a boosted battery rebate of $4,174 as well as financial incentives from their VPP provider. Each VPP plan is different. Most provide ongoing electricity […]
What are distributor inverter limits?
When you’re looking into getting solar panels on your home or business, you may hear the term, ‘distributor inverter limits’. You may even be told that you can’t have the size system you want because of these limits. For anyone new to solar, it’s fair enough to query these limits. Why put a limit on […]
Solar Warranties: What to Look Out For
When buying a solar panels system, one of the most important things to check is the warranties. Talking to prospective customers, we find there’s often confusion when it comes to solar warranties. A lot of people think the 25-year performance warranty that’s heavily advertised on many solar systems is all they need to worry about. […]
Should I wait around to get solar?
The answer to this question is: don’t wait, get solar installed now. Why is that? It’s because here in Australia we have amongst the highest electricity prices in the world and an abundance of sunshine. Put the two together, and that’s why solar power systems are a no-brainer for most Australian homes and businesses. Delay […]
Could solar panels ever get to 1000 watts per panel?
The improvement in solar panel technology continues in leaps and bounds. Every year, solar panels are becoming more powerful, with a higher wattage per panel. Ten years ago, the average power rating of a solar panel was 250-270 watts. Three years ago, the most powerful residential solar panels in the world were just reaching 350 […]
Tier 1 Solar Panels: Are they the best?
The term ‘tier 1 solar panels’ is used a lot by solar salespeople. It sounds good, but what does it mean? And if you buy a tier 1 solar panel, are you getting good quality? This post explains what the Tier 1 solar panel ranking is. It also covers: Why the Tier 1 rating is […]
Why the Solar Feed-in Tariff Doesn’t Matter
A solar feed-in tariff is the amount you get paid for sending electricity from your solar panels system to the grid. You get paid for your solar exports by your electricity retailer, with the amount appearing as a credit on your electricity bill. Naturally, everyone loves to see a credit on their electricity bill! Better […]
