SolarQuotes Vodcast Episode 21 – Changing The World 3.3 Watts At A Time

Finn and Ronald discuss SQ’s initiative to help distribute off-grid solar to impoverished households overseas, battery testing results and standards, best and worst installer reviews and more.

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0:36 – Finn announces an initiative whereby SolarQuotes will be donating $1 to Pollinate Group every time someone requests a quote through our service.

Pollinate Group set up entrepreneurs in India and Nepal to sell 3.3 watt off-grid solar systems. Yes, 3.3 watts – it sounds tiny (and it is), but the difference these systems can make in the lives of impoverished families is huge, not only saving their owners money but improving the household’s quality of life and health.

Finn estimates SolarQuotes’ ongoing contribution will mean an extra 100 solar power kits will be distributed each month, directly benefiting 500 people. You can learn more about this new SolarQuotes initiative here.

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3:42 – My article on “Fourex” beer being brewed with a helping hand from solar energy received many thousands of views – and oddly enough the vast majority originated in India. Ronald bravely searched the interwebs and discovered why – the visitors were looking for umm, another type of content.

It had to do with the way the article was titled and the beer/company was referenced in the article – using the 4X’s; as the brew is commonly noted in writing and advertised.

“Apparently, just triple X isn’t good enough in India,” says Ronald. “They gotta go the extra distance and put a whole new X in there.”

The article title and body were subsequently changed to “Fourex” and the traffic from India soon dropped off. Given this experience, that term will never be used on SolarQuotes again – sorry Castlemaine Perkins.

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5:47 – Finn and Ronald briefly discuss the theft of a small off-grid solar power system from a toilet block in Stony Point in South Australia. This is why we can’t have nice things.

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7:38 – Best and worst reviews of the week as chosen by SQ team member Ned.

The worst review of the week was in relation to a NSW solar installer (not an SQ client) that had to make three visits to install a system and allegedly still didn’t do it properly. It would appear the reviewer was to receive tilt racks as part of the project, which weren’t installed. The panels are gathering dust due to the poor angle (just 5 degrees – Finn recommends a minimum panel angle of 10 degrees) and the customer says he was advised to get on the roof himself every few months to clean them.

The reviewer has already contacted NSW Fair Trading, but according to the department, they were unable to contact the installer.

Finn, who has offered to help the reviewer, says that if the system isn’t producing what it should and tilt racks were paid but and not received, then NCAT (NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal) is the way to go at this point.

The best review of the week was for SolarQuotes client AHLEC Solar. The reviewer said the company provided excellent customer service, was prompt and technically savvy. Furthermore, the installation team was were professional and all paperwork was dealt with efficiently.

“Highly recommended for a great solar installation experience,” says the reviewer.

AHLEC rank in the top 11% of all solar installers listed on SolarQuotes.

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12:10 – Finn and Ronald chat about the City of Sydney (Council) voting to declare a climate emergency. Ronald provides some temperature history for context.

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14:30 – Ronald explains what he gleaned from the findings of the Canberra Battery Test Centre’s most recent report. It’s not good news, with 61% of batteries tested faulty – they either arrived faulty, didn’t work at all or developed problems during testing.

Quite disturbing was the fact that more of the newer generation batteries being tested were faulty or developed faults than the original “phase 1” batteries tested by the Centre. It wasn’t just obscure brands that had problems – big name brands also had issues.

Ronald’s advice for those considering buying a solar battery system:

“Be cautious. Only go for a reliable installer and a manufacturer you feel confident will still be around.”

Ronald says the good news is he’s certain battery manufacturers will eventually get it right and produce systems that can operate reliably in Australian conditions; particularly during summer.

“But, until they do, they’re in for a hard time.”

Ronald also says not to expect more than 85% round trip efficiency from a battery system. This means you’ll have to put in 1.2 kilowatt- hours to get 1 kilowatt- hour out of your battery.

“Most people forget about that, especially when they are doing payback calcs,” says Finn.

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20:20 – On a related note, SQ writer Richard recently sat in on a webinar regarding the development of an Australian Standard for battery testing. This is an important initiative that will avoid the confusion created when battery manufacturers make claims about battery performance based on their own testing methods rather than a specific set of guidelines used by all.

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