ACT Large-scale Feed-in Tariff details released

December 1, 2011
Thumbnail image for ACT Large-scale Feed-in Tariff details released

The Australian Capital Territory government released the detailes of its feed-in tariff (FiT) for large-scale and commercial solar power systems. Feed-in Tariff rates will be determined by an innovative reverse-auction process. The program will complement a suite of policy measures designed to transform the Territory’s energy infrastructure and usage future. Blog this! Digg this post [...]

Read the full article →

Solarwatt Easy-In BIPV roof systems

November 30, 2011
Thumbnail image for Solarwatt Easy-In BIPV roof systems

Solarwatt is a solar photovoltaic (solar PV) module maker based in Dresden, Germany. In addition to standard solar modules, the company also provides off-grid solar and building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) solutions. Blog this! Digg this post Recommend on Facebook Share on Linkedin Share with Stumblers Tweet about it Print for later Tell a friend

Read the full article →

How much do solar PV systems cost in Brisbane?

November 29, 2011
Thumbnail image for How much do solar PV systems cost in Brisbane?

Brisbane is the capital of Queensland as well as the state’s most populous city. All of Queensland is famous for its sunny weather, and Brisbane is no exception, with an average of 5.4 peak sun hours throughout the year, making it an ideal location for installing solar power. In addition to the state’s natural blessing [...]

Read the full article →

Increasing electricity disconnection complaints in NSW and Victoria

November 28, 2011
Thumbnail image for Increasing electricity disconnection complaints in NSW and Victoria

The number of complaints related to electricity and gas disconnections due to financial hardship has increased significantly in both NSW and Victoria, according to the states’ Ombudsman’s offices. The two states saw the number of ‘actual or imminent’ energy (electricity or gas) disconnection complaints increase 18% and 58% over the 2011 calendar year, respectively.  The [...]

Read the full article →

8-10c/kWh: NSW Solar Bonus Feed-in Tariff amount draft determination

November 24, 2011
Thumbnail image for 8-10c/kWh: NSW Solar Bonus Feed-in Tariff amount draft determination

The New South Wales Independent Regulatory and Pricing Tribunal (IPART) has announced its draft determination on a ‘fair and reasonable price’ for grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) systems today. The voluntary 8-10c per kilowatt-hour (kWh) rate is significantly less than the mandatory, minimum 1-to-1 solar feed-in tariff rate that the state’s solar industry had been pushing [...]

Read the full article →

Silex, Australia’s only solar PV panel manufacturer, stops production

November 24, 2011
Thumbnail image for Silex, Australia’s only solar PV panel manufacturer, stops production

Silex Solar, the solar photovolatic (PV) manufacturing wing of the Silex group and Australia’s only PV panel manufacturer, has halted production and closed down its manufacturing plant. The company cited financial stress and a ‘deteriorating market’ for solar PV, as panel prices become cheaper and cheaper. Blog this! Digg this post Recommend on Facebook Share [...]

Read the full article →

Solar Farms in New South Wales

November 23, 2011
Thumbnail image for Solar Farms in New South Wales

With the cost of solar systems at an all-time low and the price of electricity rising, a growing number of rural NSW residents are looking at large-scale solar power as a way to offset their electricity costs. Solar Choice has assisted thousands of people in New South Wales in finding the solar PV system best [...]

Read the full article →

Construction begins on Australia’s largest solar farm

November 22, 2011

Construction began on Australia’s first and largest solar farm in Western Australia on 4 November. The Greenough River Solar Farm is a utility-scale generation plant, meaning that it produces enough electricity to feed into the electricity grid and contribute to base-load power. Unlike the more numerous medium- to large-scale rooftop solar PV installations already in [...]

Read the full article →

How much is the new SA feed-in tariff? ESCOSA

November 15, 2011
Thumbnail image for How much is the new SA feed-in tariff? ESCOSA

South Australia’s independent industry regulatory body–The Essential Services Commission of South Australia, or ESCOSA–has released a draft determination about its recommendations for the electricity retailers’ contribution to the state’s Solar Feed-in Tariff. From 27 January 2012 , the retailers’ contribution will be offered in addition to the 16c per kilowatt-hour (kWh) currently offered to solar [...]

Read the full article →

Carbon Price legislation passes in Australian senate

November 8, 2011
Thumbnail image for Carbon Price legislation passes in Australian senate

    In an historic move that is expected to usher in an era of investment in clean technology investment, the Australian senate has passed legislation to put a price on carbon pollution. The carbon tax will enter into effect from July of 2012. Blog this! Digg this post Recommend on Facebook Share on Linkedin [...]

Read the full article →

$4 billion in coal subsidies in NSW?

November 7, 2011
Thumbnail image for $4 billion in coal subsidies in NSW?

The Auditor-General of NSW released a report today condemning the previous Labour government’s implementation of the Solar Bonus Feed-in Tariff Scheme, which became political hotpoint last year when it was found that it would go severely over budget. The irony is that the Auditor-General’s report comes on the heels of an article by Climate Spectator [...]

Read the full article →

30c/kWh Solar Feed-in Tariff through Solar Choice installer

November 3, 2011

A solar PV installer in the Solar Choice installer network is now offering a 30c/kWh net Solar Feed-in Tariff for New South Wales customers. The offer is applicable to systems of up to 3 kilowatts (kW) in capacity size and will be guaranteed for 3 years. Request a solar quote comparison or give us a ring [...]

Read the full article →

Solar Choice announces new Commercial Solar PV Finance Package

November 2, 2011

Solar Choice Commercial has announced an innovative and unique financing package for customers looking to develop large-scale commercial solar PV projects across Australia. The Commercial Solar Finance package will be a strong stimulus for the Australian commercial market, and is available to Australia’s solar PV industry at large, for projects sourced directly by installers/manufacturers as well [...]

Read the full article →

‘Solar Energy Zones’ announced for US desert regions

October 31, 2011
Thumbnail image for ‘Solar Energy Zones’ announced for US desert regions

In a proactive policy move, the US government’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released maps of areas that have already passed most or all requisite environmental and cultural conditions for development of large-scale, commercial solar power installations. Once the policy is in place, it will streamline the process of finding a location for commercial [...]

Read the full article →

Meet your Solar Energy Broker face-to-face at our office in Manly, NSW

October 28, 2011
Thumbnail image for Meet your Solar Energy Broker face-to-face at our office in Manly, NSW

Although Solar Choice solar brokering and solar quote comparison services are available across Australia, our office is located in Manly, New South Wales, a 2-minute walk from the Manly Ferry Wharf. Solar Choice has a paperless office and most of our customer interactions take place over the phone or online, but we are always happy [...]

Read the full article →

Samil Power Inverters: Affordable reliability

October 28, 2011
Thumbnail image for Samil Power Inverters: Affordable reliability

  Samil Power is a solar inverter manufacturer with production plants in China and sales offices in Australia, Germany, UK, Italy, France, USA and China. The company specialises in all aspects of design, innovation, manufacture, promotion and service of photovoltaic grid-tied inverters. Samil makes a range of high-tech solar inverters for residential and commercial solar applications and has been [...]

Read the full article →

Will a solar PV system increase the value of my property?

October 27, 2011
Thumbnail image for Will a solar PV system increase the value of my property?

In addition to the obvious benefits of having a solar PV system installed on your home, shed, or office–savings on electricity bills, a carbon emission-free power source, and the envy of your neighbours–going solar could also potentially increase the value of your property. There are two primary reasons for this, both of which are fairly [...]

Read the full article →

The future of the Queensland Solar Feed-in Tariff

October 21, 2011
Thumbnail image for The future of the Queensland Solar Feed-in Tariff

The possible near-future conclusion for Queensland’s generous 44c per kilowatt-hour (kWh) Solar Bonus Feed-in Tariff has been a topic of speculation as of late. So far, there is no official source indicating that the state’s incentive scheme will be ending any time soon, but a number of issues–notably the budgetary situation in the state (and [...]

Read the full article →

Solar Choice gets Australia’s first i-MiEV 100% Electric Vehicle

October 18, 2011
Thumbnail image for Solar Choice gets Australia’s first i-MiEV 100% Electric Vehicle

    Solar Choice now has its own electric vehicle–the first of its kind ordered and purchased in Australia. The Mitsubishi i MiEV (“Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle”), will be parked and charging its batteries in the evening in Manly, NSW when it is not being used on official Solar Choice business. Those living in Sydney [...]

Read the full article →

SMA Sunny Boy 2100TL inverters now available in Australia

October 17, 2011
Thumbnail image for SMA Sunny Boy 2100TL inverters now available in Australia

    SMA Sunny Boy 2100TL inverters, part of SMA’s transformerless inverter range, are now available in Australia. The vast majority of the solar installers in the Solar Choice installer network offer SMA products as a primary or standard option in their installations, and the addition of the 200TL will allow increased flexibility and options [...]

Read the full article →

Solar Power Townsville: Join the Townsville Solar Community

October 13, 2011
Thumbnail image for Solar Power Townsville: Join the Townsville Solar Community

Solar Choice is in the process of organising a Solar Community in Townsville, Queensland. Residents of the Townsville area are encouraged to take advantage of a special bulk discount rate on solar power systems by putting forward the local community’s collective bargaining power. Solar Choice has experience running Solar Communities for other regional areas throughout [...]

Read the full article →