What size solar system do I need?
What size solar system do I need? It’s one of the first questions you should ask when looking for solar: What size solar system should I get? This post will first dispel the “Goldilocks solar” myth of accurately sizing a solar system to match your daytime power consumption. I’ll then explain why for several years, […]
Do I need solar panel tilt frames?
You’re looking to buy solar, but your best section of the roof is close to flat. The bloke down the road has mounted hideous tilt frames on his roof, and you are wondering if you really need to do this to your home, your castle. In this post, I’ll first explain the theoretical reason behind […]
Maxim Solar Panel Optimisers vs SolarEdge
Maxim panels are gaining traction in Australia as a superior solution for optimising solar panels in shaded conditions. But does Maxim really work? In a previous blog, I explained why I think Maxim optimisers are the closest thing to shade proof solar, but at that point, I had not performed any testing myself. It’s been six […]
My solar system has been installed…now what?
Nice Work! You’ve gone solar! Take a moment to admire your shiny new panels on your roof and inspect your inverter humming away. What happens next? Well, don’t fear…we’re not going to leave you high and dry. We are available anytime for any questions you have. But here are a few pointers to get you […]
Best direction to face solar panels
What’s the best direction to set your solar orientation? Is it better to install your panels split between East and West, or is North the better orientation to face solar panels in Brisbane? In this post, we’ll discuss what the answer has commonly been and the logic behind it. Next, we’ll test that logic with data […]
Are Monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panels better
Monocrystalline (left), Polycrystalline (right) Monocrystalline vs Polycrystalline The solar panel market has developed rapidly in the second half of 2016. We are seeing higher wattage panels at lower prices than ever before. With monocrystalline panels making a comeback, the face-off between monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels has erupted again. So which solar panel is better? Monocrystalline […]
Sunpower – is this really the worlds best panel?
Sunpower Solar Panel Review Sunpower Panels are often touted as the best solar panel in the world – but are they honestly that good? In this review, I’ll start by briefly introducing the company and the panel. Then I’ll explain the eight potential issues with traditional panels. Next, I’ll explain how SunPower have dealt with […]
Solar Rail. Why we Choose to Pay for Radiant. Part 1 – Tile Roofs
Radiant VS. The Solar Racking World Regularly I’ll get a sales call from a solar product supplier asking “what rail do you use?” “Radiant” I say, knowing it is a conversation stopper. They know too well they won’t convince an installer who is committed to quality to be swayed by price. However, late last […]
Winaico Solar Panel Review
A review of Winaico’s Tier 1 non-Chinese solar panel Last year, Winaico became a Bloomberg tier 1 solar panel manufacturer. The panel caught my interest when looking over the changes in Quarterly Bloomberg tier 1 report last year, so I contacted Winaico to find out more. Today, while Winaico’s Managing Director Blair Pester was in town, he invited me […]
Solar Panel Test Results
Real data from our solar panel test in Brisbane It has been almost seven months since I updated the data of my solar panel test results. Since we are about to add a new line-up of solar panels, it thought it was time to update the test results. We’ve had a fairly hot January and […]
