Solar reviews, tests, information and buying guides

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Solar

Bring a little sunshine into your home with a solar photovoltaic system or solar hot-water system.

Review and compare

Solar panel reviews We test solar panels to find which ones perform best in real-world conditions.

Solar panels database If you're looking to get solar panels installed, our table will help you compare the specifications of major brands and models on the market.

Buying guides

How to buy the best solar battery storage What you need to know about adding battery storage, such as the Tesla Powerwall, to your home's solar panel system.

Articles

Four steps to get started with solar Our expert guide answers all your solar questions.

Sizing your solar panel system Figure out the right size of solar PV system to suit your home.

How to maintain your solar panel system What does solar panel maintenance involve and how often should it be done?

The best solar storage batteries: Tesla Powerwall and more put to the test An independent trial compares solar storage batteries in lab conditions, and not all survive.

How to find quality solar panels and installation Our guide to picking the right solar quote and knowing your rights in this sometimes shady market.

Are your solar panels working? Six simple steps to find out if all is well with your solar PV system.

The best solar panels in our test At a glance: what we found in our solar panel testing.

How we test solar panels All about the science behind our solar panel testing.

Are solar feed-in tariffs worth it? People are getting paid less for the solar power they sell to the grid, so it could be best to use it yourself.

Are solar panels covered by home insurance? If you install solar panels, you need to update your home and contents insurance to ensure they’re covered.

Survey results: Are you happy with your solar panels? More than 1000 CHOICE members reveal the pros and cons of owning a solar PV system in Australia.

Solar system rebates: How much money can you really save? The current government scheme can be confusing. We explain how it works and what you can get back.

What to do if your solar company goes out of business Thousands of solar systems in Australia have been left stranded by solar companies that have been wound up.

Solar panel payback times How much does a 5kW solar system cost and how long will it take to pay itself off?

Solar roof tiles – solar panel alternatives If your roof isn't suitable for solar panels, consider (more expensive) solar roof tiles.

Solar PV system leasing and PV power purchasing agreements If you can't afford to pay for solar up front, you might not need to go without.

Solar panel test - what we found We share expert insights into what we found during our first test of solar panels.

Tesla's Powerwall home battery A revolutionary battery will help homes get more out of their solar panels.

Powerwall payback We crunch the numbers on the new Tesla Powerwall to see how it stacks up in terms of offsetting your electricity costs.

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Save money on energy and help the planet.

We show you how to save water with clever tips and advice.

Can you give your wallet and the planet a boost by managing your standby energy?

Solar