Maximizing the amount of sunshine hitting your solar panels is the aim of every solar owner. That’s why solar trackers are so appealing. Solar trackers work in a similar way to sunflowers. A sunflower slowly turns its face to follow the sun, and a solar tracker does the same – allowing the panels to always […]
Category: analysis
Why a heat pump hot water system is a great alternative to a solar battery
A recent survey found that nearly all solar households want to buy a battery, but price is still a “put-off”. The Solar Citizens survey of 1,700 households nationwide found that cost is still the main barrier to uptake of home battery storage, but that a “significant 84 per cent” of rooftop solar households are considering […]
Energy guzzlers in your home and how to tackle them
With gas and electricity prices going through the roof, tackling the energy guzzlers in your home is more important than ever. This blog explains what the top five energy guzzlers are in most Victorian homes – and what you can do about them. 1. Heating and cooling Up to 40% of household energy bills Heating […]
Passive versus active cooling of solar inverters: which is best?
A solar inverter contains complex electronics that handle the conversion of DC electricity from solar panels to AC power for use in your home. And, like anything electronic, a solar inverter doesn’t like getting too hot. That’s why solar inverters need to be installed in a sheltered location, ideally on a south-facing wall or in […]
Do I qualify for a solar rebate in Victoria?
Would you like a rebate to help with the cost of installing solar panels or battery storage on your home? What about a rebate to install an energy-efficient heat pump? Free hot water powered by solar – how good would that be! If you live in Victoria, there’s some good news. The state government is […]
Solar uptake strongest in Melbourne’s outer suburbs
Households in five Melbourne outer suburbs are installing solar panels at the fastest rate in the state. Craigieburn, Point Cook, Tarneit, Clyde North, and Truganina are the top five hotspots for solar panel installations according to data published by the Victorian Government’s Solar Homes Program. 10% of Solar Victoria rebates going to just 5 suburbs! […]
The Future of Australia’s GreenPower Program
GreenPower is 100% renewable energy you can buy from your electricity retailer. Set up in 1997, it is a government-managed program that allows businesses and households, including renters, to tap into clean renewable energy from their retailer. Customers pay a small premium on their electricity bill which goes towards purchasing new sources of renewable energy […]
A single-phase inverter on a three-phase property. Why it works.
If you live in a property with a three-phase power connection, it’s logical to assume that you will need a three-phase solar inverter if you install solar panels. Right? Well, no… it’s wrong. You can install a single-phase solar inverter on a three-phase property. And – in many cases – a single-phase inverter will be […]
Should I wait to install battery storage?
With gaping weaknesses exposed in the Australian electricity market in recent weeks, its no surprise that demand for solar and battery storage has skyrocketed. Never before has the Australian National Electricity Market been suspended. Never before have electricity retailers told their customers to go away – or stay and be hit with a doubling of […]
Understanding the energy crisis in Australia
Australia is in the throes of an energy crisis. For a country rich in energy resources, it seems crazy. But last week the entire east coast was facing the threat of widespread blackouts and load shedding. Wholesale energy prices were soaring. Coal and gas generators were being accused of gamesmanship, holding out for higher prices. […]
