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From the field
Installs, system designs and lessons from Mackay solar jobs.
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Ducted vs Split System Air Conditioning in Tropical Queensland: An Honest Comparison
An honest ducted vs split system air conditioning comparison for tropical Queensland: what each costs, running costs, and how to run it on your solar.
How Often Should You Clean Solar Panels in Queensland? (And Whether It Is Worth Paying For)
How often solar panels actually need cleaning in the Queensland tropics, what the soiling research shows you lose, and when paying for a clean pays off (and when it does not).
Solar Battery Rebate 2026: How the Federal Discount Works and What You Actually Get
The federal solar battery rebate is a roughly 30% upfront discount worth about $252 per usable kWh, applied straight off your invoice. Here is exactly how it is calculated, why it shrinks on a fixed calendar, and how it stacks with your solar STCs.
Is Solar Worth It in 2026? An Honest Look at Payback and When It Is Not
Whether solar is worth it in 2026, the real payback period in Queensland, and the honest cases where solar is not the right call yet.
Best Solar Panels in Australia 2026: Brands Compared (and What Matters in the Tropics)
The best solar panel brands in Australia for 2026, the tiers that matter, and the extra things that count in a hot, salty, cyclone-prone climate like Mackay.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost in Australia in 2026? A Plain Price Guide
What a rooftop solar system actually costs in Australia in 2026, by size, after the federal STC rebate, plus what moves the price up or down in Mackay.
Solar Battery Rebate QLD 2026: What Queensland Homeowners Actually Get
What the solar battery rebate is worth in Queensland in 2026, how much you get in Mackay, and why there is no separate QLD state rebate any more.
How Many Solar Panels Do I Need? A Simple 2026 Sizing Guide
How many solar panels you need based on your power use and panel wattage, with a simple table for Mackay homes and the quick maths to work it out.
Do Solar Panels Work on Cloudy Days? Yes, and Here Is How Much
Whether solar panels work on cloudy and rainy days, how much output you actually get, and what it means for the Mackay wet season.
How Much Does a Solar Battery Cost in Australia in 2026? Full Price Breakdown
What a home solar battery actually costs in Australia in 2026, before and after the federal rebate, by size and by brand, with honest payback numbers.
What Size Solar System and Battery Do I Need? A Plain-English Sizing Guide
How to size a solar system and battery for an Australian home in 2026 from your real usage, with rules of thumb for high air-conditioning and tropical climates.
Solar Hot Water in Mackay: Is It Worth It, or Should You Just Use Solar Panels?
The honest answer from Mackay installers: a dedicated solar hot water system rarely beats solar panels plus an electric hot water system on a timer.
Tesla Powerwall 3 vs Sungrow vs BYD: Home Battery Comparison (2026)
An honest 2026 comparison of the three most common home batteries in Australia, Tesla Powerwall 3, Sungrow and BYD, on capacity, power, warranty and price.
Ergon Feed-In Tariff Drops 1 July 2026: Should Mackay Homeowners Install Solar Before or After?
Ergon's regional feed-in tariff drops from 8.66 to 6.153 c/kWh on 1 July 2026. Real Mackay numbers on whether to install solar before or after the change.
Are Home Batteries Worth It in Mackay in 2026? An Honest Cost-Benefit Analysis
Federal battery rebate, Ergon feed-in tariff drop, cyclone backup. Honest 2026 cost-benefit analysis of home batteries for Mackay homeowners.
EV Charging at Home in Mackay: Single Phase vs Three Phase, Costs, and What Your Electrician Needs to Check
Honest guide to home EV charger installation in Mackay. Single phase vs three phase, real costs, switchboard checks, solar integration and Ergon off-peak charging.
Why Solar Panels in Mackay Need Cleaning More Often Than Brisbane (And What It Costs You When You Skip It)
Mackay's salt spray, Bowen Basin dust and tropical conditions cause faster solar panel soiling than Brisbane. Real numbers on output loss and cleaning costs.
Pros and Cons of Installing Residential Solar on Your Mackay Home (2026)
Honest pros and cons of residential solar in Mackay 2026. Real numbers on the federal STC rebate, Ergon feed-in tariff, payback and what to watch out for.
Federal STC Rebate for Commercial Solar in Mackay (Zone 2): What You Actually Get in 2026, and Why It Drops Again 1 January 2027
Mackay sits in STC Zone 2 (factor 1.536), better than Brisbane. Here is what the federal commercial solar rebate is worth in 2026 and why it shrinks 1 January 2027.
Pros and Cons of Installing Commercial Solar for Your Mackay Business
Honest pros and cons of commercial solar in Mackay 2026. STC rebate, payback, Ergon tariffs, instant asset write-off and what Bowen Basin operators need to know.
Pros and Cons of Hiring a Commercial Electrical Contractor in Mackay
Honest pros and cons of hiring a commercial electrical contractor in Mackay. QLD licensing, costs, response times and what to verify before you sign.
The Hidden Cost of Unlicensed Electrical Work for Mackay Businesses (And Why QLD Class A Licensing Matters)
Unlicensed electrical work in Queensland carries $40,000 fines and voids insurance. Here is what Mackay businesses risk, and how to verify a licensed electrician.