Posts By Anthony Bennett On SolarQuotes

Flat By Tea Time: Why A Small Battery Is A Big Problem

House with grocery delivery and solar and battery
Having noticed a few different hardware retailers and grocery shops making moves into the home battery market, it seems prudent to point out the pitfalls of cheap small systems.

Recently we detailed why bigger isn’t always better, but this time around I’d like to explain how we arrive at just right.

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Smart Energy Needs Smarter Customers

Recently the Smart Energy Council held a conference in Adelaide and by all accounts it was a roaring success, much like the battery incentive that’s currently driving the whole solar industry.

When the SEC said they were looking for industry experts to offer some insight, I figured they’d emailed me by mistake, but I went along anyway with some images to riff off of and enough notes to wing it for 15 minutes of fame.

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How To Use The Rebate To Expand Your Battery

A series of batteries connected to an inverter

The federal battery rebate isn’t just for new home battery systems: it can also be used to expand existing batteries. Here’s how to do it.

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How To Slam The Door On Winter With DIY Glazing

French doors might be fashionable, but along with glass sliding doors they’re an open invitation for winter to walk right into your house. Here’s how to seal them up and refuse to let cold weather in when it comes knocking.

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Don’t Blow Your Rebate On A Battery That’s Too Big To Fill

On the back of the federal rebate, huge batteries are on sale for bargain prices. There’s a catch to many of these deals however: you can’t possibly hope to actually charge these monster batteries to capacity as they are paired with completely inadequate inverters. Here’s what to watch out for.

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Electricians Have The Power To Resist Battery Rebate Scams

A battery rebate offerThe launch of the battery rebate means there’s more work than ever for the industry. Instead of taking advantage of customers as happened with the solar rebate, installers should realise they now have the power to refuse to work with dodgy operators and poor quality brands.

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How To Stop Winter From Breaking In Through The Window

Seeing your curtains sway gently in response to the afternoon breeze is a romantic word picture, like watching the house breathe. Until I tell you there’s a storm outside, and the windows are shut. The horrifying reality is that the cold wind is inside the house with you.

Here’s some simple fixes I’m making this winter to stop the chill from breaking in via poorly-insulated windows.

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Fronius Fix Makes Winter Solar Worthwhile In WA

Fronius solar inverter with Eddy May

For years the West has been a sorry state in solar terms. The only networks in town have draconian 5kW limits on inverters, and it makes the rest of Australia give them side eye. Why do the western weirdos hate sunshine?

Thanks to Austrian manufacturer Fronius though, there is now a 10kW inverter option available in WA, all you need is a well-trained installer. [Read more…]

Can You Add A Battery To Your Existing Solar? Here’s How To Tell

An old solar systemWith all the interest created by Australia’s shiny new Cheaper Home Batteries Program, we’ve seen enquiries soar for everything electric. One of the most common questions is: do I need to replace my existing solar system to get a battery? Here’s how to tell if it is possible to stick with your legacy solar, and how to add a battery to it if so.

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How To Winter-Proof Your House If Your Builder Didn’t Bother

Thermal images of house insulation

As the cold finally kicks in across southern Australia, minds turn to warmth versus wallet.

Staying warm doesn’t mean bankrolling your electricity retailer. Applying a few helpful hacks and habits can make a real tangible difference.

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