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

Solar Installation Audit: 20% Of Installs Sub-Standard – More Than 2% Dangerous

Australian solar installation audit

CER Audit: Over 20% Of Solar Installations Are Sub-Standard And More Than 2% Are Dangerous. 0% of installers suspended by CER.

Australia’s Renewable Energy Target or RET was audited last year and a report released last month.  It’s a 25,000 word report so I’m not going into everything it covers.  There’s way too much detail for that.  It’s enormous.  If you wanted me to write that many words it would take me all day.  Even longer if you wanted them in coherent sentences. [Read more…]

Tesla Popup Store In Adelaide Quotes $9,300 Powerwall Installed By Killer Robots

Tesla popup store in Adelaide, South Australia

Yesterday I visited a pop-up Tesla store in Adelaide.

Tesla has told me they can provide a fully installed Powerwall 2 in South Australia for $9,300 after the state’s $6,000 battery subsidy.  The three phase version will cost “a few hundred dollars more” and there is a 12 week waiting period. [Read more…]

China’s “Cheapest Electric Car” — The ORA-R1 — May Cost Around $28,000

ora-r1

Does this electric car really cost less than $13,000? Err, unfortunately no.

Great Wall Motors has has released the electric ORA R1 passenger car in China.  Or at least I think they have. [Read more…]

The New Catch Power Green Hot Water Diverter Reviewed: Smaller, Cheaper, Cuter

Catch Power Green Catch PV diverter review

Hot water diversion is now more affordable with the new Catch Power ‘Green Catch’

Hi everyone.  Happy New Year!  This is a short article about a new hot water diverter developed by Australia’s Catch Power.  I’m just letting you know it’s available and because I don’t really have anything bad to say about it this may seem like an advertisement.  [Read more…]

Tesla Big Battery’s First Year: Lowers Electricity Prices, Makes Money, Is Not On Fire

Tesla Big Battery - Hornsdale Power Reserve

The Hornsdale Power Reserve or “Tesla Big Battery” is One! And it’s been quite successful.

The Tesla Big Battery in South Australia came online last year on the first of December.  It’s now one year and 18 days old.  Despite the involvement of Elon Musk and Tesla it’s not actually called the Tesla Big Battery.  Its real name is the Hornsdale Power Reserve.  Personally, if I had been asked, I would have called it Elonia Princess of Power, but I wasn’t consulted and so my naming talents continue to be squandered. [Read more…]

It Appears Impossible To Save Money With The Queensland Battery Grant

Queensland battery grant - a useless subsidy?

Don’t Rush Into Getting A $3,000 QLD Battery Grant:  It Can Cost You Dearly.

Yesterday a Queenslander asked me for advice.  This is not unusual.  I’m originally from Queensland, so I understand their primitive ways.  I also take care to maintain their respect by never making fun of my home state and only ever saying things about it that are factually true.  Such as the plants want to kill you.

This Queenslander asked me if he should take advantage of his state’s $3,000 battery grant scheme[Read more…]

Over Estimating Electricity Price Inflation For Fun And Evil Profit

Over-estimates of electricity price rises

Beware Of Salespeople Making Ridiculous Electricity Price Increase Predictions

A rooftop solar power system is an excellent investment for any home that isn’t at the bottom of a well or otherwise suffering from major shade problems.  Earlier this year I wrote an article on payback times in Australian capitals but it’s already out of date as they pay themselves off even faster now.  [Read more…]

Alpha ESS Battery Review: Everything You Need To Know About The Storion-SMILE

Alpha ESS Battery Review

The Alpha ESS Storion SMILE battery is the second battery eligible for the SA Battery ‘rebate’. But is it worth considering?

Update: SQ’s in-house installer, Anthony, has more recently written about the Alpha ESS SMILE5 battery here.

Alpha ESS is a Chinese manufacturer of home battery systems.  Because they have promised to do some assembly in Adelaide they are now the second company eligible to receive South Australia’s substantial home battery subsidy, as reported by Michael here. More batteries will become eligible in January. [Read more…]

Is Labor’s $2,000 Battery Subsidy A Waste Of Money?

Labor solar battery rebate

On Wednesday shadow Prime Minister, Bill Shorten, gave some details on the plans for energy Labor will throw into motion if they win the next election.  According to all the little people inside my TV, this election will occur within 6 months but it may be almost a year away. [Read more…]

Why Spending $100m On Coal To Hydrogen Project Is Stupid

coal to hydrogen madness

Dumb and Dumber: Federal and Victorian governments spending $50 million each on Japanese coal to hydrogen project.

The Federal and Victorian Governments are spending $100 million building a Japanese coal to hydrogen demonstration plant.  That’s $50 million each.  Before any of you get upset at the cost, I’ll mention I originally thought it was $500 million, so we’re already $400 million better off than I thought we were a few hours ago.  At this rate I’m sure coal to hydrogen will be making money for the average Australian in no time.  And in other news, monkeys may fly out of my butt. [Read more…]

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