Blog

We don’t know about you, but 2008 doesn’t seem like that long ago to us. Yet in the context of solar power, that short span of time from when solar panels first started making their way into Australia, to now, represents a huge shift in affordability and tech. It’s hard to think that ten years ago there wasn’t really a solar PV panel in sight (especially when you look around Australia’s suburbs today). Back in 2008 when they first started to become available to homeowners, you’d pay around $3,000 for a 1 kW system (1 kW inverter) – and that was after an $8,000 government rebate and another $1

January 26 is the day when we get to celebrate what makes Australia great. Our country’s national holiday marks the arrival of the First Fleet of British Ships at New Holland (Australia before it was so named) all the way back in 1788. ‘Australia Day’ wasn’t recognised until many years later, with records of celebrations taking place in 1808. It took more than another 100 years in 1935 until all Australian states and territories used the term and astonishingly, it was not until 1994 that Jan 26 was universally accepted as a public holiday by all states and territories. As a wholly Australian

We all know the weather is changing. Extreme conditions – from blistering heat and wild winds, to freezing cold and flooding seems to be occurring more than ever. You know that global warming has a lot to do with it, and though you care, you might also feel a little frustrated or powerless about making a change. What can one person do to help save the planet? Actually, quite a lot... We’ve compiled a list of pollution-punching, emission-crunching techniques you can start doing today to help ensure we’ve still got a planet to call home, tomorrow. 1. Support Green Businesses and Products You

Here’s an interesting fact: If you’d installed a Solargain system in January this year, you could have saved over $1500 in electricity bills by now * – just 11 months! The city you live in, weather conditions and your energy retailer agreement all affect this number – but the point is there are clear benefits of switching to solar, particularly over a lifetime. An average Solargain system that’s regularly maintained can easily last over 15 years; with the panels expected to endure for 20+. However, working out annual savings is not as simple as multiplying $1500 by 20. Lifetime savings from

The upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference to be held in Paris in November is a big deal. The conference may very well set the course for the reversal of our planet’s current climate problems, or worryingly, it could lead to our world’s continued decline. Starting on November 30 and ending December 11, the Conference will attract high-level representatives from more than 190 nations in hopes that a new global agreement on climate change, including targets to reduce greenhouse gases, will be reached. Why is Paris especially important? Nations coming together to discuss environmental

Contributing less to pollution and more to sustainability are great reasons to buy a solar energy system. And let’s face it, seeing a return on your investment is a pretty nice incentive too. But how quickly can solar panels pay themselves off and how do you work it out? Let’s find out. To calculate your return on investment, there’s four main things your need to know: The cost of energy How much energy your prospective solar power system produces The cost of your system How much solar energy you produce will be consumed by your home – or more specifically, how much you will be sending to the

Australia’s energy sector is undergoing a revolution. For too long, fossil fuels have been the heavy hitters of energy production. Thankfully (and not a second too soon), team renewables has entered the fray with solar power as a key weapon. Importantly, the revolution has been consumer-driven. And with technology very much in tune with the energy-saving desires of the people, solar power is flourishing in Australia, even despite the recent tumultuousness caused by Tony Abbott slashing the Renewable Energy Target. Most homeowners today have the power of choice – that is, the choice of where

Solar Batteries May Allow Households To Reap Profits from Surplus Energy The feed-in tariff from excess power generated by solar panels is one of the great incentives for potential solar energy customers. While solar panel owners are rightly rewarded for the extra energy they send back to the grid, they have little to no control in determining the price of that energy, nor when they decide to share it. Imagine if you, as a solar owner, were able to pull all the strings – to store surplus solar energy in your own device and to sell it at a profit when demand is high. Your home would be a

Our newest Greenie of the Month isn’t a person, or a group or a company – it’s a whole city. The city of Los Angeles in sunny California gets our nod for this month’s award for its recently released sustainability framework. Now, this framework doesn’t just pay lip service to the notion of a more sustainable future. It’s a heavy-duty, 108-page planning document that explores a whole variety of different initiatives that would greatly benefit the sprawling city’s 3.8 million people. For travellers, LA is mostly known for its high end shopping, beautiful beaches and Hollywood Stars. But for

With so many fantastic benefits, it’s little wonder that solar panels are so commonly seen on rooftops across Australia. They can lower your power bills, reduce your environmental impact, harness Australia’s sunny conditions and add value to your home. But when it comes to choosing a solar power system, what’s best for you? Firstly, let’s look at the three main components that will make up your system – solar panels, solar inverters and the mounting system. Solar Panels The three most popular solar panels in Australia are Polycrystalline/Multicrystalline, Monocrystalline and Quasi

Solar panels are a long term investment. So it’s important to do a bit of your own research before making your purchase. Luckily, we’ve prepared an easy-to-follow guide including all the important info, tips and considerations to think about when choosing solar panels. Solar Panel Shopping – What To Consider Cost Not all solar panels are equal. Prices vary depending on size, brand reputation, quality of materials, durability, warranty and any certifications the panels might have. Choosing solar panels on price alone isn’t always a great idea. Go for the biggest and the best panels, and they

There’s no doubting it. Renewable energy is one of the hot topics of 2015. And whilst the debate around the state of solar rages on in Government and the media, it’s not always easy to gain a crystal clear idea of the incentives that come with making the switch. Whilst the misinformation regarding solar can sometimes muddy the waters, you can rest assured that solar is here to stay and there’s still plenty of reasons to get on board. Up-Front Savings - STCs Most residential solar owners can continue to take advantage of a rebate (or STCs – Small Scale Technology Certificates) when purchasing