My eternal shame is that I couldn’t save this piece of hand-painted switchboard craftsmanship from a demolition crew.

At SolarQuotes, we’re often asked about peripherals that aren’t as cool as the glass on your roof or the monitoring app you can show off at someone else’s barbecue. [Read more…]

As a qualified builder and roofer, I should disclose that I really don’t like tile roofs.

They’re heavy, they’re porous and get heavier as they soak up water, they leak heat and dirt, they’re hard to install on, and sadly, as many people find out, water leaks lead to recriminations. [Read more…]

Part of buying a rooftop solar power and/or battery system is getting the site inspected by the installer, preferably before signing on the dotted line. This can be done physically on-site, or remotely, thanks to the wonders of modern technology. [Read more…]

Spot the screws poking through…

They say that happiness is directly proportional to ceiling height.

Having grown up in a substantial c.1875 stone house, with ceilings closer to 4 metres than the standard suburban 2.4 metres, I can attest to the extra space offering some comfort – even if it’s just lower temperatures during hot summers. [Read more…]

Recently things warmed up for Tasmanian solar company I Want Energy when they partnered with Astra Solar in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, to deliver four off-grid solar power projects in Bougainville PNG. [Read more…]

If you want to increase the size of your existing rooftop solar system, you typically have 4 options for upgrading: [Read more…]

Top to bottom, 70mm² 25mm² 16mm² 10mm² (3 phase) 6mm² sheathed, 2.5mm² sheathed, 4mm² Solar DC, 3 x 2.5mm² flexible plus a dangerously cracked and brittle 16mm² main service from a 1960s house.

Some weeks ago, I explained why the voltage in a long cable will drop over its length, and how this affects solar installations that are a long way from the switchboard. [Read more…]

Having recently completed a road trip through SA, VIC and NSW, I have come to two conclusions…

• there are still some workers out there installing less than first-rate solar power systems,
• you never take as many photos as you should.

In any case, I have a few pictures which should make more than a passing interest, even if it’s only the solar nerds who appreciate the finer details. [Read more…]

Image Credit: “a rat with wings smashing a solar panel, in the style of Banksy” DALL-E & Finn Peacock

Protecting Your Solar From Sky Rats and Other Feral Disasters

I recall the days installing solar panels on a petrol station roof and the distinct feeling we were being watched. [Read more…]

You may have read Finn’s original ‘7-mistakes’ article, followed by ex WA-installer Kim’s take and SA Installer Chris’s version. Now here are the biggest mistakes I’ve seen people make buying solar during my years on and off the roofs of South Australia: [Read more…]