In Part #1 I went into great detail about why the “Max Power” quoted on your solar panel specification sheet and the real max power you will actually get from that panel are very different numbers. I showed you how to calculate a more accurate max power by using some little known temperature specs. In this post […]
[Continue reading…]Solar Quotes Blog
How To Read A Solar Panel Specification: Part #1 Power & Temperature Specs
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 […]
[Continue reading…]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 […]
[Continue reading…]Would the solar industry be better off without government support?
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 […]
[Continue reading…]Two Reasons You Must Look At Efficiency Curves When Choosing Your Solar Inverter
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 […]
[Continue reading…]Solar Inverter Efficiency: What you need to know before buying.
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 […]
[Continue reading…]How you can save $2,000 when going Solar
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.
[Continue reading…]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 […]
[Continue reading…]Your Solar Panel & Inverter Warranty And The Law: What You Need To Know
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.
[Continue reading…]How long will SMA Inverters stay top dog in solar?
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:
[Continue reading…]
Currently Raging Debates: