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.

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.

How to buy the best solar hot water system Cheap to run but not so cheap to buy – which system is for you?

How to buy the best solar inverter Getting the right type of inverter for your home's solar system.

How to buy the best solar panels for your home What you need to know before you install.

Articles

Living with the Tesla Powerwall: the first Australian case study After four years of use, has the Tesla Powerwall lived up to its promise?

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

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.

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

The best solar storage batteries: Tesla Powerwall and 17 others put to the test An independent trial compared 18 batteries in lab conditions, and not all survived.

Sizing your solar panel system Figuring out the right size of solar PV system to suit your home's energy needs

Four steps to get started with solar Quick answers to your solar questions.

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.

Regulation plays catch-up with Australia's residential solar industry A new report by CALC outlines numerous problems.

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

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 for renters and unit dwellers Solar farms are offering renters, unit dwellers and low-income households access to the solar boom.

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

Solar battery installs surge amid rising electricity bills Surprisingly, Tesla wasn't the most popular solar battery brand among Australians.

Banking on solar and batteries Which Australian cities are best for solar and home battery storage?

Solar battery installations grow as power bills tumble First Tesla Powerwall owner reports electricity bills up to 90% cheaper.

Get the best value from your solar power How to make the most of your free solar energy when the NSW Solar Bonus Scheme ends on December 31.

Zen Energy to power whole communities with solar An Australian company is using battery storage to power whole communities using the sun.

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.

Unsafe solar installation How to avoid shonky solar PV systems that could lead to fire or injury.

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Energy saving

Save money on energy and help the planet.

Standby energy

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Saving water

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Solar

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Energy saving

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