Posts By Ronald Brakels, Author & Fact-Checker At SolarQuotes

Tossing Old Solar Panels Into Landfill Is Greener Than Recycling Them

December 9, 2019 2024-12-31T13:50:44 by 40 Comments
Is solar panel recycling miscycling?

The conventional response to criticism of solar waste is panels can simply be recycled. But is that the greenest option?

Recycling is a good thing.  Most of the time.  Humans have been reusing material for thousands of years, probably beginning on a large scale when early agriculturalists noticed poo is good for plants.  Ancient Greeks didn’t let pieces of broken pottery go to waste and used them like notepaper, while my father would collect (steal?) rubber bands because a dozen were worth a few cents back in 1950. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Solar and the Environment

The “Solar Rebate” Is Not Ending: Don’t Be Fooled By Misleading Ads

November 29, 2019 2024-06-05T13:49:11 by 12 Comments
Australia's solar rebate is not ending

The “solar rebate” does not end this year. In fact rooftop solar power may be cheaper early next year.

DON’T PANIC!  Despite attempts by dodgy advertisers1 to convince you otherwise, the “solar rebate” isn’t ending any time soon.  Renewable energy certificates (called STCs) will still be lowering the cost of rooftop solar for years to come.  To be precise, for another 11 years, 1 month, and 2 days. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Economics Of Solar

Tesla’s Beaut Cybertruck Ute:  Body As Tough As Steel, Windows As Weak As Glass.

November 23, 2019 2019-11-23T12:30:42 by 42 Comments
Tesla Cybertruck electric ute / pickup

Tesla’s Cybertruck reveal was a smashing success.

I am sitting in the SolarQuotes office awaiting revelation.  In just one hour, plus 20-30 minutes to allow for Tesla time, Elon Musk will reveal to the world the wonders of the Tesla electric ute.  The first wonder is it’s not called a ute, it’s called a Cybertruck.  Personally, I would have gone with Wonder Ute myself, but if you fail to keep me on a retainer that kind of genius is just going to pass you by, Elon. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Electric Vehicles

Don’t Panic! Chinese Coal Construction Is Actually Slowing.

November 22, 2019 2019-11-22T17:33:40 by 16 Comments

China coal power plant construction

I was chilling in the batcave yesterday when I was startled by the jangling of an alarm bell.

“It’s the internet alarm, Batboy!” I cried. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Solar and the Environment

DNVGL 2019 Battery Performance Scorecard: Cheaper, Better, Maybe Safer

November 21, 2019 2019-11-21T08:24:34 by 7 Comments
DNVGL 2019 Battery Performance Scorecard

DNV-GL tested a whole lot of batteries to see how they really performed. Here’s what they discovered.

When it comes to battery technology the rate of change is hectic.  Chemistries are constantly being tweaked and changed to improve battery performance and lifespan.  They’re also getting cheaper at the rapid rate of around around 10% per year.  This is similar to solar cells and if it keeps up, in 7 years packs of battery cells will cost half what they do now. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Battery Storage

Tesla Model S Review: The Best Car Ever! And Totally Not Worth It!

November 11, 2019 2024-05-15T11:23:24 by 48 Comments
Tesla model S review

Hold on to your beards! Ronald’s spent the weekend in a brand new 2019 Tesla Model S. Here’s what happened…

Allow me to transport some information to your eyes that is simply electrifying.  Finn, my boss, has bought a Tesla Model S electric sports car.  It is AWESOME.  I know this because he let me drive it for two days.  This joy ride convinced me the Tesla Model S is the best car in the world.  I’ll even go further and say that — with the information I currently have at hand — it is the best car in the universe. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Electric Vehicles

Voltage Rise & Solar Shutdowns. Why It Happens & How To Fix It.

November 4, 2019 2024-10-03T09:35:29 by 63 Comments
Grid voltage rise and solar energy systems

Your grid voltage should average 230V. But it probably doesn’t.

This time last week I was at the 2019 All Energy Conference and Exhibition in Melbourne.  Or — if I have been lazy getting this article out — it was this time last week plus or minus one day.  Mostly plus.

I attended a group presentation on grid over voltage. It’s a growing problem.  When grid voltage rises too high, rooftop solar either reduces output or shuts down.  This not only costs solar households money but costs the country lives, as clean solar energy going to waste means more fossil fuel is burned, resulting in more pollution and environmental damage. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Solar Installation

The 2019 All-Energy Conference In Melbourne — A Quick Overview

October 28, 2019 2019-10-29T14:00:43 by 27 Comments
2019 All Energy Conference

Ronald went to the All-Energy Exhibition & Conference in Melbourne. Here’s what he stumbled across.

I just got back from the 2019 All Energy Conference and Exhibition in Melbourne.1  While there I also snuck across to the the Energy Efficiency Expo next door.  Over the next couple of weeks I’ll write a few articles on what I learned, but for now I’ll just go over some highlights and show some pictures… [Read more…]

Filed Under: Solar Innovations

Bloody Hell! Fuel Economy Of Australian Cars Has Been Getting Worse Since 2015!

October 21, 2019 2024-01-25T07:34:32 by 83 Comments
Australian vehicle fuel efficiency

We urgently need to reduce emissions of CO2 and particulates. But car efficiency in Australia is getting worse. WTAF?

I’ve got some bad news about vehicle efficiency in Australia.  It’s going backwards.  And I don’t mean cars are now driving in reverse, sucking up smog and spitting out petrol.  Despite the fact that we urgently need to slash our emissions, the average fuel efficiency of Australian vehicles has been getting worse. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Electric Vehicles

$11.4 Million Tonsley Hydrogen Cracker is Crackers

October 14, 2019 2024-10-02T12:52:44 by 22 Comments
Tonsley Hydrogen electrolyser project is crackers

Siemens may have “ingenuity for life” but calling their hydrogen electrolysis machine a Windgas HaBfurt doesn’t strike me as the most ingenious of names.

The South Australian Government has given development approval to Australian Gas Networks (AGN) for an $11.4 million dollar electrolyser project. It will produce hydrogen in Adelaide’s not at all scenic suburb of Tonsley. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Solar Policy
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