Solar Quotes Blog

How To Read A Solar Panel Specification: Part #1 Power & Temperature Specs

A typical solar panel specification

Does a solar panel specification with “Max Power” rated at, say 190W, really produce a maximum power of 190W when it is on your roof in the blazing sun? Short Answer: Not on your nellie! The max power rating (in Watts) that your solar panels are rated at is the figure that everyone quotes when […]

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How NOT to save $1,000 on your solar system

I got this email today: “Hi Finn, I’ve got a quote for a 1.5kW solar system for $2500 and a 3kW system for  $6000. I want 3kW. Why don’t I just buy 2 x 1.5kW systems??? Cheers, Bob” Bloody good question Sir! In fact I can’t believe more people don’t ask this question. But, as […]

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Would the solar industry be better off without government support?

Sir Humphrey discusses the UK's Solar Feed In Tariff

Fascinating article this. The UK’s only Green MP, Caroline Lucas, takes to the pages of The Guardian to launch a broadside against the UK Government’s investment policy in relation to solar energy. The UK Government this week lost an appeal in the High Court against a lower court’s ruling that its retrospective attempt to change […]

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Two Reasons You Must Look At Efficiency Curves When Choosing Your Solar Inverter

a graph of inverter efficiency vs. inverter power output

In my last blog post I explained how to find an inverter’s real-world efficiency instead of relying on the inverter manufacturer’s  numbers. The CEC or European Efficiency numbers that I talked about are a much better number to use when comparing solar inverters. And for most people they will be all you need. However if […]

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Solar Inverter Efficiency: What you need to know before buying.

Everything goes through the inverter so its efficiency is critical.

Solar inverter efficiency is a critical specification that directly affects the efficiency of your entire solar system. It is almost always a much more important consideration than solar panel efficiency. All the power generated by your solar panels has to go through your inverter before you can either use the power in your home or export […]

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How you can save $2,000 when going Solar

electricity bill showing 4kwh per day drop

Thinking of buying a solar power system to kill your electricity bill? Then this one simple action could shave a whole kW off the size of solar system that you need to buy to get that magical zero dollar electricity bill.

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Innovative solar energy project to aid off-grid rural communities in Africa

The British-based solar energy charity organisation SolarAid has teamed up with Cambridge-based solar technology company Eight19 to provide solar energy at affordable prices to poorer people in rural parts of Africa. SolarAid are a charity group working in rural areas throughout eastern and southern Africa with a bunch of great ideas. According to their website […]

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Your Solar Panel & Inverter Warranty And The Law: What You Need To Know

Person signing a solar system warranty

Your Solar Panel Warranty and Solar Inverter Warranty have tough new minimum standards by law. Changes to the Australian Consumer Law came into effect on 1 January 2012. These are good changes which help protect you as a solar consumer from toothless warranties when buying a solar system.

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How long will SMA Inverters stay top dog in solar?

Solar Edge, Samil Power and SMA inverters

If, like me, you get turned on by Solar Inverters, then here are three companies doing very cool stuff that I think you should look out for in 2012:

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Construction on Mildura solar system begins but what can taxpayers expect?

 photo credit: mcmees24 The announcement last month from R&D company Silex Systems that construction on Australia’s largest solar power station at Mildura, VIC, has begun gladdens the heart. And the hip pocket nerve. After all Victorian and federal taxpayers are helping to fund this venture to the tune of around $120 million.

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