Posts By Anthony Bennett On SolarQuotes

Decoding Tesla Powerwall 3’s Electrical Specs: Implications for Australia

Tesla Powerwall 3 specifications

There she be…  Powerwall 3

Photos are doing the rounds of a Tesla Powerwall 3 installed in the wilds of Burgeristan (the USA) , so I thought I’d add a few words to the stream of excited comments. [Read more…]

Backup Your Blackout Plans. Why Hybrid Solar Needs A Bypass Switch

Hybrid solar power system with bypass switch

The green parts are thanks to SolarQuotes. In normal operation, grid energy goes in the hybrid inverter through the red line, out along the brown line, and into the home’s essential circuits via the green line. If the inverter fails, it can simply be bypassed with the green switch.

Home batteries used to be a niche market for tech enthusiasts and those needing emergency power. But as battery-backed hybrid solar systems proliferate, the solar industry is learning that even the best plans can go awry. [Read more…]

Should You Install An Industrial Socket For Home EV Charging?

EV charging and electrical sockets

Standard Australian socket and plug for 32 amps 400 volts 3 phase power.

TL;DR: Hell, yes.

In Australia, the wall socket pictured above is your go-to option for a 3-phase electricity supply, while this one is for single-phase: [Read more…]

Copper Hot Water Systems & Solar: A Timeless Combination

Hot water copper tank

Finally, something that’s genuinely German in the solar industry… sheet copper is no longer made in Australia, sadly.

If we’ve noticed anything of late in the SolarQuotes office, it’s that water heating isn’t just a mundane task; it’s a subject passionately debated and deeply entrenched. Who would have thought? [Read more…]

Talking Solar To Builders – We Need Better Thinking From the Roof Down

Solar panels and Australian roof designs

As a qualified solar electrician, roof plumber, licensed contractor and supervisor, I have seen the ugly truth behind Australian roofs first-hand. [Read more…]

Can You Install A Smart Solar Meter On A Strata Townhouse? YES!

Solar smart meter for townhouses

Smart Meter Installation Woes in Sydney. 

Recently we wrote about an instance in Queensland where a solar meter changeover on a detached suburban home had gone sideways. As it happens, another example that caught my attention involved multiple meters in a strata-owned switchboard. [Read more…]

Solar’s Hidden Metering Cost – And Tips To Avoid It

old queensland meter board

Inaccessible, no hinge, ceramic fuses, disintegrating chipboard, duct tape! This is a hamburger with the lot.

Solar Electricity Meters – The Situation Is Unhinged [Read more…]

Are Hot Water Heat Pumps All They’re Cracked Up to Be?

simplified schematic of heat pump hot water operation

Last week, I extolled the virtues of heat pumps, lauding their unparalleled efficiency. As promised, it’s time to investigate why these newfangled appliances might not be as splendid as they seem. [Read more…]

Hot Water Heat Pumps: Choose Your Refrigerant & Brand Wisely!

reclaim heat pump

Having observed countless passionate discussions in various online forums on hot water heat pumps, it’s clear to me that people care – a lot – about this seemingly mundane subject.

[Read more…]

Sungrow Hybrid Inverter Review: A Deep Dive into the SH5.0RS

sungrow sh5.0rs inverter installed

This post is part of our reviews of hybrid solar inverters – which when paired with a battery – can be good Tesla Powerwall alternatives. Here, I’m taking a closer look at the Sungrow SH5.0RS. [Read more…]

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