Andy McMaster
Solar Installer Partner Relations
Connects homeowners with trusted, vetted solar installers across Australia. Andy works directly with installation companies to ensure quality standards and helps homeowners navigate the quoting process.
Articles by Andy McMaster(51 articles)
Enphase IQ Battery Review Australia 2026: AC-Coupled Storage for Any Solar System
An honest review of the Enphase IQ Battery 5P for Australian homeowners. AC-coupled design, 15-year warranty, modular 5 kWh units, and 2026 pricing after the federal rebate.
29 April 2026
1KOMMA5° Battery Review Australia 2026: Heartbeat System Honest Assessment
An honest review of the 1KOMMA5° Heartbeat home energy system for Australian homeowners. Covers the AI energy management, pricing, inverter integration, and how it compares to Sungrow and Tesla.
13 April 2026
Balcony Solar Australia 2026: Plug-In Solar for Renters and Apartments
Balcony solar panels let renters and apartment residents generate their own electricity without a rooftop installation. This guide covers how plug-in solar works, what it costs, and the rules in Australia.
13 April 2026
BYD Battery Review Australia 2026: Battery-Box Premium HVS & HVM Honest Assessment
An honest review of BYD battery storage for Australian homeowners. Covers the Battery-Box Premium HVS and HVM series, LFP chemistry, modular sizing from 5.1 to 22.1kWh, and 2026 pricing.
13 April 2026
Fronius Reserva Battery Review Australia 2026: Honest Assessment
An honest review of the Fronius Reserva home battery for Australian homeowners. Covers compatibility, modular sizing, pricing, and how it compares to Sungrow and Tesla Powerwall.
13 April 2026
JA Solar Panels Review Australia 2026: DeepBlue 4.0 Pro Honest Assessment
An honest review of JA Solar panels for Australian homeowners in 2026. Covers the DeepBlue 4.0 Pro N-type range, efficiency ratings, 30-year performance warranty, Australian pricing, and how JA compares to Jinko and LONGi.
13 April 2026
Jinko Solar Panels Review Australia 2026: Tiger Neo Honest Assessment
An honest review of Jinko Solar panels for Australian homeowners in 2026. Covers the Tiger Neo N-type range, efficiency ratings, warranties, pricing, and how Jinko compares to LONGi and JA Solar.
13 April 2026
LONGi Solar Panels Review Australia 2026: Hi-MO 6 Honest Assessment
An honest review of LONGi Solar panels for Australian homeowners in 2026. Covers the Hi-MO 6 HPBC range, efficiency ratings, 30-year performance warranty, Australian pricing, and how LONGi compares to Jinko and JA Solar.
13 April 2026
Smart Meters and Solar in Australia 2026: What You Need to Know
A smart meter is required to receive feed-in tariff payments for solar in Australia. This guide explains what smart meters do, how they work with solar, who pays for one, and what to do if you do not have one yet.
13 April 2026
Solar Panels on a Flat Roof Australia 2026: Mounting, Tilt and Output Guide
Solar works well on flat roofs when done correctly. Ballasted or penetrating mounts, tilt frames, east-west arrays, drainage considerations, and what to ask your installer. Full guide for Australian homeowners.
13 April 2026
Solar Panels for New Builds 2026: What to Specify (and What Builders Won\'t Tell You)
Getting solar on a new build is different from retrofitting. NCC 7-star energy ratings, builder package traps, what conduit to pre-install, EV rough-in, and why the timing of your solar decision matters for cost and quality.
13 April 2026
AEMC Consumer Energy Dispatch Rule 2026: What It Means for Solar and Battery Owners
The AEMC passed a new dispatch rule for consumer energy resources starting November 2026. Here is what it means for rooftop solar, home batteries, and VPP earnings in plain English.
2 April 2026
Alpha ESS Battery Review Australia 2026: Honest Assessment
An honest review of the Alpha ESS battery for Australian homeowners. Covers the Smile T10, T5, pricing before and after the federal rebate, AC-coupling flexibility, and how it compares to Sungrow and Tesla.
2 April 2026
Fox ESS Battery Review Australia 2026: EasyCube Honest Assessment
An honest review of the Fox ESS EasyCube battery for Australian homeowners. Covers pricing, modular design, high-voltage architecture, the Tsingshan supply chain advantage, and where the brand stands after just seven years.
2 April 2026
Fronius Solar Inverter Review Australia 2026: Primo, GEN24, and Symo Explained
An honest review of Fronius solar inverters for Australian homeowners. Covers the Primo, Primo GEN24 Plus, Symo GEN24 Plus, Solar.web monitoring, BYD battery pairing, pricing versus Sungrow, and who should pay the premium.
2 April 2026
GoodWe Battery and Inverter Review for Australian Homeowners (2026)
Honest review of GoodWe batteries and inverters for Australian homes. Lynx Home U series, GW-ET and GW-ES hybrid inverters, pricing after the federal rebate, warranty, and how GoodWe compares to Sungrow and Tesla.
2 April 2026
Sigenergy Battery Review: Is It Worth It for Australian Homes in 2026?
Independent Sigenergy battery review for Australian homeowners. We cover the SigenStor specs, pricing after the federal rebate, the ecosystem advantage, and honest trade-offs versus Sungrow and Tesla.
2 April 2026
Sungrow Battery Review Australia 2026: SBR Series Honest Assessment
An honest review of the Sungrow SBR battery for Australian homeowners. Covers pricing, the 10,000-cycle warranty, modular design, inverter pairing, and where it sits in the market.
2 April 2026
Tesla Powerwall 3 Review Australia 2026: Is It Worth the Price?
An honest review of the Tesla Powerwall 3 for Australian homeowners. Specs, installed price, rebate savings, who it suits, and how it compares to cheaper alternatives.
2 April 2026
Billions in Solar and Battery Projects Just Kicked Off Across Australia
From a $590M NSW transmission upgrade to 2,200 MWh of Victoria battery approvals, March 2026 saw a wave of solar infrastructure announcements across every state. Here is what is being built.
25 March 2026
CER Cracks Down on Battery Installs: New Photo Rules, AI Checks, and a Warning to Retailers
From 1 March 2026, the CER requires geotagged photos for every battery install. They are also warning retailers about deceptive battery sales ahead of the May tiering changes.
25 March 2026
New Solar Panels and Batteries Hitting Australia: March 2026 Product Roundup
Aiko 535-550W ABC panels, JinkoSolar Tiger Neo 3.0, Sungrow PowerKeeper for C&I, and AlphaESS subsidy-ready batteries. What just landed and when you can get it.
25 March 2026
Perovskite, Iron-Air, and Sodium-Ion: The Tech That Could Change Solar Forever
Perovskite solar cells hit 26.5% efficiency and are nearing production. Iron-air batteries store 100 hours. Sodium-ion costs 50% less than lithium. Here is where the technology is actually at.
25 March 2026
Best Heat Pump Hot Water Systems in Australia (2026)
Compare the best heat pump hot water systems in Australia. Reclaim Energy, Stiebel Eltron, iStore, Chromagen, and Rheem compared on price, COP, warranty, and noise.
24 February 2026
What Is the Clean Energy Council? CEC Approved Products and Accreditation
The Clean Energy Council (CEC) sets the standard for solar in Australia. Learn what CEC approved panels, inverters and batteries mean, how installer accreditation works, and why it matters for your rebate.
24 February 2026
Solar Panel Sizes and Dimensions in Australia (2026)
Standard solar panel dimensions in Australia. Residential panels measure roughly 1,722 x 1,134 x 30mm for a 400-440W panel. Panel sizes by wattage, how many fit on your roof, and measurements for planning your installation.
24 February 2026
Queensland Just Switched on 1.7 GWh of Grid Batteries. Here\'s What It Means for You.
Tarong and Swanbank mega batteries are now live in Queensland, adding 550MW and 1.1 GWh of storage to the grid. What grid-scale batteries mean for home solar and battery owners.
22 February 2026
New WA Solar & Battery Rules from May 2026: What Perth Homeowners Need to Know
From 1 May 2026, WA solar and battery systems must meet new connection rules. Two export pathways, 30kVA standard connection, Emergency Solar Management explained. Existing systems not affected.
22 February 2026
ACCC Super Complaint on Solar Sales: What It Means for Installers and Consumers
Consumer Action Law Centre filed a super complaint to the ACCC targeting unsolicited solar sales and third-party lead generation. What this means for door-knockers, lead gen companies, and the future of solar sales in Australia.
18 February 2026
Exclusive vs Shared Solar Leads: What Installers Need to Know
Exclusive solar leads convert at 25-35% vs 8-15% for shared leads. Full comparison of pricing, conversion rates, homeowner experience, and ROI for Australian solar installers.
18 February 2026
Solar Lead Generation in Australia: The Complete 2026 Guide
How Australian solar installers generate leads in 2026. Covers paid leads, Google Ads, SEO, referral programs, Facebook ads, lead providers, and building a sustainable pipeline. Real strategies from working installers.
18 February 2026
How Much Do Solar Leads Cost in Australia in 2026?
Solar lead pricing in Australia ranges from $35 to $100+ per lead depending on type, exclusivity, and source. Full breakdown of shared vs exclusive leads, cost per acquisition, and ROI benchmarks for solar installers.
18 February 2026
Solar Quote Comparison Sites in Australia: How They Work (Installer Perspective)
SolarQuotes, Solar Choice, Energy Matters, Solar Calculator: how each comparison site works, what they charge installers per lead, and how to decide which ones are worth your money.
18 February 2026
How Much Do Commercial Solar Panels Cost in Australia? (2026 Pricing)
Commercial solar panel costs in Australia for 2026. A 30kW system costs $22,000-$32,000 after STCs. Full pricing by system size (10kW to 100kW), hidden costs, tax deductions, financing options, and how to compare quotes.
16 February 2026
Commercial Solar Systems in Australia: The Complete 2026 Guide
Everything Australian business owners need to know about commercial solar systems. Covers system sizes from 10kW to 100kW+, pricing, ROI, installation process, and how to choose the right setup for your business.
16 February 2026
Farm Solar Panels Australia: A Practical Guide for Farmers
Everything Australian farmers need to know about farm solar panels. Covers system sizes for dairy, cropping, and livestock operations, ground-mount vs roof-mount, irrigation pumps, costs, rebates, and tax benefits.
16 February 2026
Best Solar Batteries in Australia 2026: Independent Comparison
We compared the top 6 home batteries available in Australia in 2026. Tesla Powerwall 3, BYD, Sungrow, Enphase, Alpha ESS, and Huawei ranked by cost per kWh, warranty, and real-world value.
15 February 2026
Best Solar Panels Australia 2026 | 7 Panels Independently Ranked
7 best solar panels in Australia for 2026, ranked by efficiency, warranty, degradation rate and value. All Tier 1 with Australian warranty support. No sponsored placements.
15 February 2026
Australian Heat Is Killing Solar Batteries. Here\u2019s How to Protect Yours
Australian garages hit 50\u00B0C+ in summer, accelerating lithium-ion battery degradation. Learn the best installation locations, which batteries have active cooling, warranty fine print on temperature, and retrofit protection strategies.
11 February 2026
Heat Pump vs Solar Diverter: The Best Way to Heat Water with Solar
Heat pump or solar diverter? Compare costs ($3,000-$5,000 vs $800-$1,500), efficiency, rebates, noise and real-world results for Australian homes. Find out which option cuts your hot water bills the most.
11 February 2026
How to Vet a Solar Installer (And Avoid Becoming a Solar Orphan)
Over 700 Australian solar installers have gone bust since 2011, leaving ~650,000 homeowners stranded. Learn how to spot dodgy solar installers, check accreditation, and protect your warranty.
11 February 2026
Microinverters vs String Inverters: Which Is Right for Your Roof?
An honest Australian comparison of microinverters vs string inverters. Covers Enphase vs Fronius, shading myths, hybrid inverters, costs, warranties, and when each type makes sense for your roof.
11 February 2026
How to Size Your Solar System for EV Charging
How much extra solar do you need to charge an EV? The maths: 8 kWh/day charging demand, 2-3 kW extra panels, system size recommendations from 6.6 kW to 13 kW+, smart chargers, export limits, and the solar + battery + EV combo explained for Australian households.
11 February 2026
Adding a Battery to Your Existing Solar System: The Complete Australian Guide
Already have solar panels? Learn how to add a battery the right way. AC vs DC coupling explained, hybrid inverter options, brand comparisons, and the one mistake that costs Aussie homeowners thousands.
9 February 2026
Solar EV Charging: Daytime Solar vs Off-Peak Night Rates
Should you charge your EV during the day with solar or at night on off-peak rates? Real data shows daytime solar charging saves 3-5x more. Self-consumption maths, smart charger tips, and the ultimate solar + EV + battery combo for Australian households.
9 February 2026
When to Add a Battery to Your Existing Solar (And How Not to Stuff It Up)
Already have solar panels? Here\'s when it makes sense to add a battery, how AC vs DC coupling works, the ecosystem trap to avoid, and what retrofitting actually costs in Australia.
9 February 2026
Charging Your EV with Solar: The Complete Australian Guide
How much solar do you need to charge an electric car? Learn about smart charging, excess solar diversion, best EV chargers for solar, and cost savings vs grid charging.
4 February 2026
How to Choose the Right Solar Panels for Your Home
A complete Australian guide to choosing solar panels. Compare monocrystalline vs polycrystalline, understand efficiency ratings, warranties, and learn what to look for when comparing quotes.
4 February 2026
Solar Panel Bird Proofing Australia | $350–$700 to Save Thousands
Birds nesting under your solar panels? Droppings cut output by up to 30%, void warranties, and cost thousands in repairs. Here\'s exactly how to stop them, and what it should cost.
3 February 2026
Adding a Battery to Existing Solar? Don\'t Make the Two-Kitchen Mistake
Why running two separate inverters is like having two kitchens in one house. How DC coupling into one hybrid inverter saves energy, simplifies your life, and what to ask your installer.
2 February 2026
SAA Accreditation Explained: What Replaced CEC for Solar Installers
Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) replaced CEC in 2024 as the official accreditation body. Here\'s what it means for homeowners getting solar quotes: how to verify your installer, why it matters for rebates, and what to check before signing.
24 January 2026