Solar Quotes Blog

Selectronic SP PRO: My Favourite Powerwall Alternative

Selectronic SP-PRO

If you are looking for the ultimate solar and battery system, whether on or off the grid, then in my opinion you should build it around the Selectronic SP PRO inverter. It is in a class of its own. I mean that in more ways than one, but you’ll have to indulge me while I […]

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Are EVs Worth It In Australia? Let The Numbers Decide, With Our Free, Nerdy Excel Tool

Total Cost of Ownership: EV vs ICE

Unsure if EVs are the right fit for you? We’ve got you covered. This article presents an advanced Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and emissions calculator to compare EVs and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, available via a link at the end. And yes, we’re talking about emissions too! After all, that’s what kick-started the […]

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We Want More Women Working In Solar: Here’s The Plan.

female solar installer Australia

The solar industry’s getting serious about gender balance. The Smart Energy Council’s Gender Action Plan (GAP) sets the stage for an estrogen-fueled transformation and was unveiled in a webinar last week. I mean, come on, a measly one-third of the solar workforce are women, and the Smart Energy Council says they’re mostly in admin, with […]

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Tesla Powerwall Alternatives Part 2: Hybrid Inverter Systems

sungrow hybrid inverter and battery installed in an Australian garage

As a solar installer in Australia, I’ve looked at many Powerwall alternatives for residential battery storage systems. In this guide, I want to share my knowledge about using hybrid inverters for grid-connected solar battery systems.

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Zappi EV Charger Hack (And Why I Wouldn’t Do It)

Zappi EV Charger Hack

DIY Load Control Is Tempting. Please Don’t Do It. An enthusiastic reader recently contacted SolarQuotes with some information on how a small modification could control a myenergi zappi EV charger via wifi to take advantage of low-tariff electricity. While I commend him on his ingenuity, I question whether the benefits are worth the risks. After […]

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Are Growatt Inverters Any Good? Here’s An Installer’s Opinion

Growatt Are Growing Up. About Time. Here’s my review of Growatt inverters: I’ve always thought they were rubbish. Aside from the one in the cover image that has clocked up 11 years and is still plugging away to this day. Want to know why I have this opinion? Pull up a chair, and I’ll start […]

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Solar For Strata: The Definitive Guide to SolShare’s Pros and Cons

SolShare vs individual rooftop solar systems

Is SolShare Worth It For Multi-Unit Properties? If you’re a strata-titled property owner researching rooftop solar, you’ve likely come across Allume Energy’s SolShare, a solar-sharing solution that’s turning heads. While this cutting-edge technology has great potential, it’s essential to consider if it’s the right fit for your particular strata. Let’s investigate the details and objectively […]

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The Net Zero Australia Report & The $7-9 Trillion Panic

The Net Zero Australia Report came out on Friday, and I gotta tell ya, it’s a doozy!  It’s so enormous the report’s summary report is 95 pages.  It would take me a month of Sundays to get through the whole thing, but I have exactly one Sunday, so I’ll quickly say what it’s about and […]

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Beyond Tesla: An Australian Installer’s Take On EV Chargers

It’s early days for most Australian electricians when it comes to deciding which EV chargers they will offer going forward. Several strong contenders emerge based on discussions with fellow electricians, but surprisingly, despite its reasonable price and quality construction, Tesla’s wall charger isn’t at the forefront. Lacking smart features, the Tesla charger misses the opportunity […]

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CATL Condensed Battery Promises 1,000km Range EVs

slide from CATL condensed battery launch

Have CATL Won The Battle For High Specific Energy? Last week the world’s largest battery manufacturer — CATL — launched a new high-specific-energy battery.  If used in a typical EV today, it would improve its range by over 80% with no increase in battery pack weight.  It may also have applications in shipping and aviation.  […]

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