Sophie Vorrath

Sophie Vorrath

Sophie is editor of One Step Off The Grid and deputy editor of its sister site, Renew Economy. Sophie has been writing about clean energy for more than a decade.
“Cheapest domestic energy there’s ever been:” How rooftop solar has slashed bills for all“Cheapest domestic energy there’s ever been:” How rooftop solar has slashed bills for all

“Cheapest domestic energy there’s ever been:” How rooftop solar has slashed bills for all

Data used to showcase the downward impact of renewable energy on power prices contained a stunning and timely reminder: nothing…

March 27, 2025
Home battery installs are taking off, report says. A federal rebate would make them rocketHome battery installs are taking off, report says. A federal rebate would make them rocket

Home battery installs are taking off, report says. A federal rebate would make them rocket

New data shows home battery installations had a bumper second half in 2024 – but still only a fraction of…

March 17, 2025
Commercial rooftop solar is booming – but is household PV a victim of its own success?Commercial rooftop solar is booming – but is household PV a victim of its own success?

Commercial rooftop solar is booming – but is household PV a victim of its own success?

Commercial rooftop solar had its best year of growth in 2024, but there is a cloud over the residential sector.…

March 6, 2025
What will the “sun tax” cost households? Solar tariffs hold steady as export charges kick inWhat will the “sun tax” cost households? Solar tariffs hold steady as export charges kick in

What will the “sun tax” cost households? Solar tariffs hold steady as export charges kick in

State pricing regulator factors "sun tax" into draft feed-in tariff estimates, with more than 300,000 solar households set to pay…

February 24, 2025
State Labor promises $5,000 home battery rebate to slash bills, soak up rooftop solarState Labor promises $5,000 home battery rebate to slash bills, soak up rooftop solar

State Labor promises $5,000 home battery rebate to slash bills, soak up rooftop solar

Rebates of $5,000 per household, or $7,500 for regional households, are being promised in one of Australia's most rooftop solar-heavy…

February 24, 2025
Rooftop solar installs off and running in 2025, with second best January everRooftop solar installs off and running in 2025, with second best January ever

Rooftop solar installs off and running in 2025, with second best January ever

Despite the usual summer slump, the first month of installs for 2025 has delivered the second-best January on record, behind…

February 6, 2025
CEC suspends big-name solar inverters from list of approved rebate productsCEC suspends big-name solar inverters from list of approved rebate products

CEC suspends big-name solar inverters from list of approved rebate products

Clean Energy Council suspends several big-brand inverters from its list of approved products, rendering them ineligible for use in federal…

January 24, 2025
“Nightmare:” Energy tariffs that are blowing out bills, blindsiding consumers“Nightmare:” Energy tariffs that are blowing out bills, blindsiding consumers

“Nightmare:” Energy tariffs that are blowing out bills, blindsiding consumers

Regulator report finds that little-understood but increasingly common demand tariffs can add up to $800 to an annual electricity bill,…

December 20, 2024
Hidden cost of rooftop solar? Actually, networks spend next to nothing on managing exportsHidden cost of rooftop solar? Actually, networks spend next to nothing on managing exports

Hidden cost of rooftop solar? Actually, networks spend next to nothing on managing exports

Have you heard the one about non-solar homes paying the cost to networks of accommodating solar households? New report from…

December 19, 2024
Warrant to monitor solar retailer as regulator cracks down on rooftop complianceWarrant to monitor solar retailer as regulator cracks down on rooftop compliance

Warrant to monitor solar retailer as regulator cracks down on rooftop compliance

Clean Energy Regulator issues fresh reminder to follow the rules governing the rooftop solar industry or face exclusion from the…

December 11, 2024