QEC Electrical Contractors

30/03/2023

🌞🏡 Australian Solar Prices: March 2023 Update 📈

📧 NEWSLETTER

🔆Australian Solar Price Report - March 2023 🔆

While the cost of installing a home solar power system remained well above $1 a watt in February on average in Australia, the value in having solar panels installed is only getting better. 💰💡

The price per watt of fully-installed solar power systems (after all subsidies) increased in February compared to January in Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia; but dropped in New South Wales and the ACT. Even with the increase in WA, it remained the cheapest state in February. 📈📊

Check out the table below for the latest figures. It’s based on pricing information provided in more than 300 solar installer reviews submitted to SolarQuotes as at March 24; covering solar sales contracts signed last month. Note that as new reviews come in, the figures below will likely change. 📉👇

🏠 State 🌡 Cost per watt (Feb 2022) 🌡 Cost per watt (Jan 2022) 🌡 Cost per watt (Feb 2023)
QLD $1.02 $1.07 $1.12
NSW $1.14 $1.18 $1.15
ACT $1.37 $1.43 $1.34
VIC $1.06 $1.00 $1.08
TAS $1.21 $1.33 NA
SA $1.02 $1.17 $1.08
WA $0.88 $1.00 $1.05
NT NA NA NA
AU $1.04 $1.09 $1.11

📊 Average Cost Per Watt Since March 2021 📈
The following graph indicates Australians were paying around 92c a watt installed on average in March 2021 compared to $1.11 in February this year. But given the situation with mains electricity supply since (and more power price rises to come), solar panels remain a slam-dunk decision for households with a suitable rooftop. 📉💡

📈 Graph: solar cost per watt in Australia 2021 - 2023 📉

6.6kW And 10kW System Prices – February 2023
Average pricing for fully installed 6.6kW solar was fairly stable in February ($6,464) compared to January ($6,399) at this point.

📈 Graph: 6.6kW system cost: Australia 2021 - 2023 📉

10kW solar power systems were also pretty stable – $11,765 in February compared to $11,747 in January.

Note these averages will also change as new reviews with pricing information for February come in. ⚙️🔎

Another Rush On Solar Systems
If you haven’t installed solar panels yet, looking at the graphs might make you curse not going solar in the “good old days” of 2021. But with electricity prices skyrocketing since and more

30/03/2023

🌞 New Clean Energy Council data has revealed some positive signs for Australia's energy transition.

💰 Year-to-year investment saw a 17% bump on 2021, with $6.2 billion in 2022.

🔋 The final quarter of 2022 saw investment in financially committed large-scale generation and storage projects reach $4.3 billion, the highest quarterly investment since Q3 2018. Six generation and storage projects reached financial close, representing 1923 MW of new installed capacity and 800 MWh of storage.

🌿 In releasing the Renewable Projects Quarterly Report for Q4 2022, Clean Energy Council Chief Executive Kane Thornton said that investors were clearly responding to a more positive political and policy environment, with strong ambition, coordination and policy measures now in place from the Federal Government.

🚀 While the uptick is encouraging, one quarter doesn't mean a trend. Australia is deploying new large-scale generation – wind and solar farms – more slowly than needed to reach the 82% target for renewable energy on the National Electricity Market.

🌍 The fact remains that the rolling quarterly average investment over 12 months has not risen above $2 billion since the second quarter of 2019. The current policy settings are only going to get us so far, and it's clear that with significant shifts in capital overseas through the United States Inflation Reduction Act and other responses from the likes of the European Union and the Gulf States, Australia needs to do more.

💪 The need for timely and determined effort in new renewable projects is a sentiment echoed by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) in its updated Electricity Statement of Opportunities released last month.

🏭 It noted that all mainland states in the National Electricity Market are forecast to breach the reliability standard from 2027 onwards without substantial new investment as numerous coal-fired power stations are set to retire.

🌟 "Urgent and ongoing investment in renewable energy, long-duration storage and transmission is needed to reliably meet demand from Australian homes and businesses," said AEMO CEO, Daniel Westerman.

🌱 The Clean Energy Council is firm that the Renewable Energy Target – which has already been met – needs to be increased and extended beyond its current 2030 deadline.

🔒 "We know that to truly have an effect on long-term energy prices, Australia needs the security provided by low-cost electricity direct from solar and wind and reduce our reliance on increasingly expensive gas and unreliable coal generation," Thornton said.

17/03/2023

🏠💡📈 According to the Australian Energy Regulator's draft determination, households in all Australian states and territories will see an increase in power bills from 1 July. The largest increases will be seen in 🟢 New South Wales (up to 23.7%), 🔴 South Australia (up to 21.8%), and 🔶 south-east Queensland (up to 19.8%), with some areas facing significant price hikes. Meanwhile, households in 🟣 Victoria are expected to see the largest increase, with prices potentially rising by almost a third.

🔒 The regulator's electricity price safety net, known as the default market offer, is intended to set maximum increases for households and small business customers on standard retail plans in 🟢 South Australia, 🟠 New South Wales, 🟣 Victoria, 🔶 Queensland, 🔵 Western Australia, the 🟡 Australian Capital Territory, and the 🟤 Northern Territory.

👥 The AER's draft determination proposes that residential customers in 🟠 New South Wales face price increases of up to 23.7%, or 16.9 percentage points higher than the inflation rate, while those in 🔶 south-east Queensland face increases of up to 19.8%, and residents in 🔴 South Australia face increases of up to 21.8%. For small business customers, prices will increase between 14.7% and 25.4% depending on their region, according to the regulator.

💼 In 🟣 Victoria, the Essential Services Commission has proposed that the average annual bill for domestic customers on the Victorian Default Offer will rise 31.1%, with small business customers facing increases of 33.2%.

08/03/2023

🏠💼 Households and Businesses Prepare for Energy Regulator’s Draft Decision

It’s the news that many households and businesses have been dreading – the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) is set to release its draft decision on Default Market Offer (DMO) prices very soon, and it’s not likely to be good news. 😔

DMO prices represent the maximum amount that electricity retailers can charge customers on a standing offer, which includes those who haven’t signed up for a market offer. Since 2019, the AER has set DMO prices for small business and residential customers in South Australia, New South Wales, and southeast Queensland. When DMO prices go up, market offers usually follow suit.

Last November, the AER released an issues paper for the 2023/24 financial year decision. Now, we’re waiting for the draft determination, which was set to be published in February 2023. After some further consultation, the final decision will be released in May, and “DMO 5” will come into effect on July 1. 📅

One thing is for certain – DMO pricing won’t go down. According to the ABC, the draft decision will propose increases of at least 20 percent. This news comes after further EnergyAustralia price hikes came into effect in NSW, ACT, and SA at the beginning of this month. 💸

For those on Time-of-Use (ToU) arrangements, electricity rates are far cheaper during the shoulder period thanks to the impact of home solar power pushing down wholesale prices during the 10 am to 3 pm period. However, the new peak rates are much higher, so many households and businesses are considering alternative energy options such as solar panels, home batteries, and electric vehicles. ☀️🔋🚗

In the past, our household was somewhat sheltered from recent electricity price volatility under an EnergyAustralia plan that was costing us, after discounts, 36c/kWh flat rate and a daily supply charge below a dollar a day. But now, it’s time to start thinking more about a better electricity plan. 💡

Overall, households and businesses are bracing themselves for the impact of the AER’s draft decision, and many are looking for alternative energy options to reduce their energy bills. Keep an eye out for the draft determination in the coming weeks and start thinking about ways to reduce your energy costs. 💪

03/03/2023

QEC, a prominent Australian solar energy company, has unveiled its latest product, the Sofar PowerAll, which is set to revolutionize energy storage and consumption in Queensland.

The Sofar PowerAll is an all-in-one solution that seamlessly combines a battery and inverter into a sleek, compact unit with a storage capacity of up to 25kWh. This makes it suitable for powering both small and large homes. With a 10-year warranty, customers can enjoy a reliable and long-lasting energy solution.

One of the standout features of the Sofar PowerAll is its intelligent energy management system, which enables customers to monitor their energy usage and adjust their energy consumption according to their needs. Additionally, the product comes with a mobile app that provides real-time data on energy consumption and battery status, among other features.

According to QEC Director Lee Fraser, the Sofar PowerAll marks a significant milestone for the company. "We're thrilled to introduce the Sofar PowerAll to the Australian market. This product is a game-changer and will transform the way Queenslanders consume and store energy in their homes. With the Sofar PowerAll, customers can benefit from a reliable and cost-effective energy solution that is tailored to their needs. We will be offering our existing customers a pre-release special before opening it up to the public."

The Sofar PowerAll is compatible with both new and existing solar systems, making it simple for customers to upgrade their energy storage solutions. Additionally, QEC Energy's team of expert technicians can install the product, ensuring a hassle-free process for customers.

The Sofar PowerAll is available for purchase starting from $6999, and QEC, is offering a complimentary energy consultation to ensure the product meets the requirements of any household or business.

27/02/2023

🚗🔌💡 Smart EV chargers are the future of electric vehicle charging! These chargers are becoming more sophisticated and intelligent as manufacturers seek to make EV charging easier and more cost-effective for homes and businesses.

📈 Smart EV chargers allow automatic charging to occur when electricity prices are low or when solar power is being generated. Regular home chargers can draw a lot of power so intelligent monitoring and controls help prevent overloading the grid supply. In addition to helping optimise EV charging, most smart chargers now have Wifi and Bluetooth as standard to enable easy setup and monitoring using a mobile app.

💡 Smart EV chargers have numerous options to optimise charging, reduce charging costs, and increase self-sufficiency using solar. The most common is solar-only charging and charge scheduling using cheap off-peak electricity. Load Balancing is another very useful smart charging mode that is dynamically adjusted to ensure the charger doesn’t overload and trip off the electric supply when other high-power appliances are running.

🌞 EV charging using a home solar system appeals to many people as it dramatically reduces the vehicle's operating cost and increases self-sufficiency. Smart EV chargers can help optimise the charging rate to match your solar generation. However, to operate, smart chargers require a separate CT meter to measure energy flow and enable advanced features such as solar-only charging and load balancing.

🔋 EV chargers use a lot of power which can cause issues for some homes or businesses if too much power is drawn from the grid. Fortunately, this is where load-balancing can help. This feature is available on most smart chargers and is particularly useful for households with a limited grid supply or businesses with multiple EV chargers installed.

⚡ To reduce EV charging costs, most smart EV charger chargers can be set to charge when electricity rates are low. The cheapest (off-peak) rates are generally during the night when most people are sleeping, so a pre-set off-peak charging schedule can automatically charge the EV overnight.

👉 Are you ready to upgrade to a Smart EV charger and take advantage of all these benefits? Contact us to learn more!

27/02/2023

Looking for Solar for your business, read on.

If you are thinking about investing in solar power for your business, then this guide is for you. The good news is that if your business can afford to pay its power bills, then it can afford commercial solar. Unlike households, most businesses use the majority of their electricity between 9am-5pm, making them an ideal fit for solar energy.

While our residential solar 101 guide covers the basics of solar, including which solar panel brands and inverter models to consider and whether batteries are worth it, commercial-sized solar systems (10 kW and up) come with unique design challenges and considerations, which we summarize in this short guide.

If you're already familiar with PV systems and want to receive quotes from quality installers, click here for a commercial solar quote.

https://q-e-c.com.au/our-services/commercial-solar-system/

Otherwise, before you request quotes for solar for your business, here's what you should know: the three distinct size breaks for commercial solar systems, issues with connecting larger systems to the grid, typical costs and paybacks, monitoring and maintenance, the "commercial solar rebate" (also known as STC's versus LGC's), why commercial solar doesn't always need a roof, financing options, what to expect from your initial installer visit/consultation, the importance of IRR and discounted cash flow analysis in your quote, the differences between commercial-sized and residential-sized solar panels, inverters in a commercial-sized solar power system, commercial solar contracts, and whether batteries are worth it.

Expert Electrical Services

21/02/2023

We're excited to announce that QEC is entering a new partnership with Red Earth Energy Storage!

Together, we'll be working to bring you the latest and greatest in energy storage technology, and provide sustainable energy solutions that are both reliable and affordable.

Our shared commitment to creating a more sustainable future means we can't wait to see what we'll achieve together.

Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting partnership!

18/02/2023

🌞🔋 Going solar just got even better with RedEarth's reliable battery system! 🔋🌞

🌱 Save money and reduce your carbon footprint with our top-of-the-line solar panel installation and energy storage solution. 💰🌍

👉 Contact us today to learn more about how you can power your home with clean, sustainable energy. ☎️🏡 🌞🔋🌱💰🌍☎️🏡

17/02/2023

The Best Solar Panels In 2023: According To Aussie Installers

Over the past three years, a network of 500+ solar installers has been surveyed to determine which brands of solar panels they would install on their own homes if money were not an issue, and which they would choose if on a tight budget.

This survey aims to identify the best and best value solar panel brands. In 2023, a third category was added, which was the brand with the best Australian after-sales support.

The 2023 Installers’ Choice Awards results showed the top three solar panel brands in Australia for 2023 to be REC, SunPower, and Qcells/Trina. REC won gold with 36% of all votes, SunPower came in second place, and Qcells/Trina tied for third.

The survey showed that many installers prefer Qcells because of their range, as there is a suitable option for every customer's price point.

The survey also revealed that SunPower panels are great but may be challenging to justify the price premium unless you want the 40-year product warranty and factory-installed Enphase microinverters.

08/02/2023

🌞☀️ This home is now powered by the sun! Fully optimised due to shading issues. 🌞💡 The customer would like to give a huge shoutout to the installation team for their excellent work. 💪🏼

07/02/2023

Solar energy has become one of the most popular sources of renewable energy in recent years, and for good reason. With numerous benefits to both the environment and to your pocketbook, it's no surprise that more and more homeowners and businesses are making the switch to solar power.

Saves Money on Energy Bills: Solar panels allow you to generate your own electricity, reducing your reliance on traditional, more expensive sources of energy. This can lead to significant savings on your monthly energy bills.

Increases Property Value: Installing a solar energy system can increase the value of your home or business. This is because solar panels are seen as a valuable asset by potential buyers and can provide a return on investment over time.

Good for the Environment: Solar energy is a clean, renewable energy source that does not produce harmful emissions or contribute to climate change. By using solar power, you can reduce your carbon footprint and help to create a more sustainable future.
Reliable Energy Source: Solar panels are built to last and require very little maintenance, making them a reliable energy source for years to come. Additionally, they can continue to generate electricity even during power outages, giving you peace of mind during storms or other emergencies.

Tax Incentives and Credits: Governments around the world offer various tax incentives and credits to encourage the adoption of renewable energy. By installing a solar energy system, you may be eligible for these benefits, further reducing your costs and making the switch to solar power more affordable.

In conclusion, solar energy provides numerous benefits to both homeowners and businesses. From saving money on energy bills to increasing property value and helping to create a more sustainable future, it's easy to see why more and more people are making the switch to solar power. So why not join the movement and start enjoying the benefits of solar energy today?