Topic
Solar & energy
Roof analysis, system sizing, battery storage, and the energy rules that affect buildable use.
11 articles
The 6.6 kW solar system, and why it is still the Australian sweet spot in 2026
Inverters above 6.6 kW trigger network export-limit conditions in four out of five states. The system size that maximises self-consumption without
North-facing roof. How much premium it adds to a property in 2026.
A north-facing roof in Sydney is worth 2 to 4 percent more than an equivalent east or west-facing roof for the same dwelling, before you ever install
Battery storage in 2026. Payback maths without the marketing.
A 13.5 kWh battery costs $11 to $14k installed. Self-consumption with a battery is 78 percent vs 32 percent without.
Feed-in tariffs by Australian state in 2026. Who gets what.
NSW 5.5 to 9 cents per kWh. VIC minimum 4.9 cents. QLD Energex 11.3 cents. SA 1 to 10 cents by retailer. The differences explain why a Brisbane solar
EV charging at home. The 3 amperage tiers and what each costs.
A 10A wall socket. A 16A wall socket. A 32A dedicated circuit. Each charges your EV at a different rate and triggers different electrical upgrades.
Heat pump hot water. The upgrade that saves $400 to $700 a year.
An electric resistive hot water system costs $1,100 per year in NSW. A heat pump hot water system costs $300 to $500.
The shading problem. How one tree can kill 30 percent of your solar output.
One overhanging branch on a string-inverter system can reduce total output by 30 percent. Micro-inverters mitigate this.
Solar yield by roof orientation and angle. The 2027 numbers for every Australian capital.
Roof orientation and pitch substantially affect solar generation. The specific yield numbers for north, east, west, south orientations across Sydney
Battery storage payback in 2027. The numbers that actually work.
Battery payback has compressed from 12-15 years to 7-10 years as battery costs fell and feed-in tariffs collapsed.
Heat pump hot water. The 2027 replacement decision for any existing system.
Heat pump hot water systems run on 70% less electricity than electric storage. The 2027 cost, rebate, and payback numbers for any household considering
EV charger installation. The residential decision in 2027.
Home EV charging is now a meaningful residential decision. The charger types, the installation cost, the smart-charging integration, and the typical payback.