Stop Hot Spots: Simple Solar Panel Maintenance Tips

thermal image of a solar panel

The whiter the image, the hotter the area.

Recently, I found myself back on the roof of a shed I hadn’t worked on for at least a dozen years. The solar hadn’t gone anywhere, but damn, it needed a clean. [Read more…]

Corrosion Alert: Why Solar Panels On Galvanised Roofs Are Bad News

galvanic corrosion of a roof caused by solar

Galvanised roofs with aluminium-framed solar panels attached will rust. Read on, and I’ll explain why this happens, what to do if you already have a galvanised roof, and how to buy a shiny metal roof that won’t rust when you add solar panels.
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Why Your Solar Panels Need Bypass Diodes

bypass diodes explained

Solar panel bypass diodes – those unassuming little electronic components quietly working in the background of your solar panels. What are they, why are they there, and do we really need them? [Read more…]

The Best Solar Panels In 2024: According To Aussie Installers

It’s that time of the year again when I reveal the results of our annual Installers’ Choice Awards for Best Solar Panels in 2024. [Read more…]

Hanwha QCELLS To Exit Australia

qcells solar panels on an australian roof

QCELLS solar panels installed in Australia

In a significant development for the Australian solar market, solar panel and battery importer, Hanwha QCELLS Australia – who operated in the mid to high end of the market – has let the solar industry know it will be closing its business in Australia. [Read more…]

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…]

NREL Study Challenges Our Solar Panel Cleaning Advice

A new study from America’s NREL might have us rethinking our stance on solar panel cleaning. [Read more…]

Solcast Update: Check Your Solar Panels’ Performance For Free

solcast

Wondering if your solar panels’ are still operating at their optimum efficiency? A free online tool from Solcast precisely calculates how much energy your panels should have generated yesterday, enabling you to swiftly identify any performance issues. Here’s how to use it.
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Trina Warranty Dispute Has More Questions Than Answers

a befuddled homeowner reading a Trina warranty document

Here’s a solar warranty story with so many unanswered questions it could easily fill a TV episode of ‘Unsolved Mysteries’. [Read more…]

REC Alpha Pure-RX: 470W Of High-Voltage, Low-Current Goodness

REC Alpha Pure RX solar panel

Prominent Singapore-headquartered PV module manufacturer REC has dropped the specifications of its latest line of residential solar panels, the REC Alpha Pure-RX Series. The “pure” part of this name refers to the panels being lead-free. [Read more…]

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