At SolarQuotes, we often field inquiries about remote-area solar power systems, and increasingly, we’re seeing interest in their little brothers, too: off-grid systems for buses, caravans, RVs or trendy tiny houses.
How To Kill Friends And Electrocute People: Wiring Without An Electrical Licence
So you’d like to be an electrician? Here’s half your required reading…
Australia’s conservative electrical licencing laws mean there’s really not much a homeowner can DIY, beyond changing light globes or rewiring a ceramic fuse (if your switchboard hasn’t been upgraded since the the 1960s). Some people decry this as ‘the nanny state gone mad’, but I have to point out the law isn’t as silly as some of the wiring I’ve encountered. [Read more…]
The Sorry State Of Electrician Training In Australia
JIS screws are invariably ruined by people who don’t know they exist.
Despite 15 years in solar, my experience as an apprentice isn’t as distant as you might think. [Read more…]
Dynamic Solar In Queensland? Redback Have Got Your Back
The Sunshine State puzzles me sometimes. [Read more…]
Are Microinverters Or Optimisers Worth It?
Solar panels with Enphase microinverters and panel level monitoring.
Today I’ll explore optimisers and micro inverters, just how they differ from more conventional solar gear, their advantages and their flip side: being complex and more expensive. [Read more…]
What Happens When Your Solar Inverter Gets Too Hot?
As the mercury climbs and solar yields improve around the Summer solstice, spare a thought for your inverter, steadfastly sweating away on the wall. High temperatures aren’t just an inconvenience, they’re an electronic health hazard, shortening the lifespan of your inverter. Read on while I explain how heat saps your inverter’s efficiency—and your wallet. [Read more…]
Want 3-Phase Battery Backup? Here Are Your Options In 2024
3 phase wiring diagram for full home backup from Sungrow
So you have a 3-phase supply to your place, and you’d like solar with battery backup?
ACCC Recalls Dangerous Growatt & GoodWe Inverters
Important Clarification;
The ACCC has issued an urgent recall for some Growatt hybrid inverters. When badly installed, these units can expose the user to a live, hazardous voltage while operating.
GoodWe grid connect inverters have also been recalled for a non compliant plug assembly, exposing the user to a live, hazardous voltage; if the grid supply cable is disconnected.
More details below.
[Read more…]
Understanding Australian Solar in 2024: Three Key Concepts to Master
As we enter 2024, Australia’s solar capacity is so high that curtailment is sometimes necessary. [Read more…]
Electrical Nightmares: The Terrifying Realities of Household Wiring
Hard to believe, but this shiny, stripped copper cable inside a house roof is the handiwork of birds!
Electricity is crucial in modern society, powering almost everything we use daily. In Australia, working with anything over 50 volts AC or 120 volts DC (ripple-free) requires a licensed electrician. [Read more…]
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