Posts By Anthony Bennett On SolarQuotes

Eclipsing Trust: Trina Solar’s Ongoing Warranty Worries

Trina warranty details

In the competitive solar panel market, Trina Solar stands out as a brand synonymous with reliability and value. They’ve built a reputation on promises of quality and durability, making them a trusted choice for Aussie homeowners. However, a recent chat with a fellow installer reveals a stark reality that may leave you questioning their reputation; and us questioning their place on the SolarQuotes recommended panel chart. [Read more…]

How To Go Reliably Off-Grid With Your Tiny House Or Cabin

Lifting a tiny house into position

Image credit: NESCA

A growing number of Australians are trying to avoid the hellscape that is the current Australian housing market. The trend towards tiny houses shows it’s not hard to build a neat little dwelling and plonk it somewhere nice. [Read more…]

How To Safely Add Solar Power To Your Caravan, RV Or Camper

Unrestored motorhome

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.

[Read more…]

How To Kill Friends And Electrocute People: Wiring Without An Electrical Licence

electrical standards

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?

sohott inverter
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 efficiencyβ€”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?

[Read more…]

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…]

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