Over time this page will be filled with answers to your most frequently asked questions. If you can not find the answer your looking for here, please contact us or phone us on 03 9328 4884.

Q1. What rebates currently exist for Solar Hot Water Systems?

At the time of writing, 11/11/2009, the following rebates are available on qualifying Solar Hot Water systems:

Sustainability Victoria Rebates: Additional rebates also exist in a few states - in Victoria these are managed by Sustainability Victoria. Sustainability Victoria Rebates are region specific and vary from $300 up to $1600 depending on the system installed. Sustainability Victoria rebates are not applicable if you are installing a Solar Hot Water System in a new home.

Federal Government Rebates: Solar Hot Water rebates of up to $1600 are available from the Federal Government's Office of Renewable Energy Regulator when replacing an existing electric hot water sytem with an approved electric or gas boosted Solar Hot Water System. You must meet certain requirements to claim this rebate and not have already claimed the ceiling insulation rebate to qualify. Please talk to one of our friendly sales staff for more information.

RECs: Although not technically a rebate Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) are received by consumers when purchasing qualifying Solar Hot Water Systems.

Under the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET), a scheme set up under Commonwealth law to promote the development of renewable energy, installation of solar and heat pump hot water heaters may be eligible to create RECs. While households can create and trade these certificates on their own, Registered Agents such as Insolaro may create and trade RECs on behalf of households. The amount of REC’s received will vary depending on your location and the type of system purchased. The RECs value also fluctuates like shares and are a tradeable commodity. RECs are payable if you are installing a complete system in a new dwelling or replacing an existing water heater with Solar Hot Water in an existing dwelling.

VEECs: Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates are electronic certificates created in accordance with the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target Act 2007 (VEET Act). Each VEEC represents one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e) abated by a prescribed activity. Like RECs VEECs are tradeable with the amount varying depending on the system being replaced and the type of Solar Hot Water System being installed.

For more information on the available Solar Hot Water Rebates and how they apply to you, please call our sales team on 03 9328 4884.

Q2. How do I claim the above Solar Hot Water rebates?

Insolar will handle the process of applying for the rebate through Sustainability Victoria via a rapid online pre-approvals process. The Sustainability Victoria rebate is the only rebate given at the Point of Sale however Insolar will also look after your Federal Govrnment Electric Replacement rebate as well as help you fill out ther appropriate forms to claim your RECs and VEECs. The Federal Rebate, as well as your REC's and VEECs funds are deposited directly into your bank account within 4-6 weeks from the date of installation.

Q3. Why do solar Hot Water Systems require a backup booster?

While a solar hot water system will provide you with the majority of your hot water through the warmer months when the sun is more intense and higher in the sky, it is not able to do this as well during the cooler months where there is less direct sunlight. This means that meaning the gas or lectric booster will need to switch on occasionally to bring your hot water up to over 60 degrees.

Another reason Solar Hot Water Systems require a backup booster is that hot water must be heated to over 60°C each day as government regulations stipulate a minimum thermostat setting of 60°C is required as the bacteria Legionella pneumophillia does not survive in temperatures above 55°C.

Q4. Will I run out of Hot Water on a cloudy or cold day?

A solar Hot Water system can easily be automated so that hot water is guaranteed, regardless of sunlight levels. When averaged over a year, a correctly sized solar system can provide up to 80% or more of a household's hot water needs. In some cases an oversized system can provide 100% of your hot water needs.

Q5. What is the difference between Flat Panel and Evacuated Tube Collectors?

The flat plate collector has been around since the 1890s and is basically an insulated box with glass on one side and copper tubing running through absorber plates. The suns radiant heat is absorbed by the flat plate collector and the water from the storage tank is heated when flowing through the heated copper tubing. Due to the shape of the flat plate collector it is at it's most efficinet when the sun is perpendicular to the panel, generally in the middle of the day when the sun is high in the sky.

The evacuated tube is the new kind on the block and is more like a thermos bottle and a bit more complex than the lfat plate collector. Each tube is made of clear toughened glass, that allows sunlight to fall on the absorber plate which radiates heat that is then trapped in the tube by the vacuum. Most designs have a heat pipe which is a sealed copper pipe that sits inside the tube that contains water, antifreeze, alcohol or some other medium under a mild vacuum. The heat generated by the absorber plate heats this liquid up, which turns to steam, rises in the heat pipe to the heat exchanger (usually a larger section of the heat pipe dry fitted to the water- or glycol-carrying header), gives up its heat, turns to liquid, flows to the bottom and repeats the cycle. Due to the circular shape of the evacuated tube, they passively track the sun, so when the sun is lower in the sky like in the morning or during winter, the sun still hits the evacuated tube on the perpendicular making them more efficient than the flat-plate collector.

In terms of value for money flat plate collectors more often than not have the edge, but when it comes to efficiency in terms of annual performance per square metre of absorber (ie the black bit that actually catches the sun) usually tubes win by a good margin. Each type of collector however has a role to play, depending on where the project is, and what the heating needs are. Call us to discuss your requirements and we can recommend the system that best suits your needs.

Q6. Where is the best place to put Solar Collectors?

Solar Collectors generally work best on a north facing roof that is pitched somewhere between 20-40 degrees. During installation Collectors are attached to your roof with a pitched roof installation kit that is included with each system, if you have a flat roof, you will also need an optional pitched mounting frame. Collectors must be installed between NW and NE in order to claim the Sustainability Victoria Rebate.

If you have a large north facing roof or multiple places to choose from that point north it is usually best to locate the collectors close to one of the major hot water consumption areas in your home, such as your main bathroom, to minimise the distance between your tank and taps.

Q7. What size Solar Hot Water System do I need?

Calculations for tank size are usually based on an average requirement of 50 Litres of hot water per person per day. In most situations, a 250-315 Litre Storage Tank with two Solar Panels or 30 Evacuated Tubes will be adequate. 400 Litre tanks are also available.

When it comes to Solar Hot Water Systems, big is beautiful as a larger tank will see you through more cloudy days without your booster having to turn on. Adding a larger tank and collector makes your system more efficient which also means bigger rebates. To find a system that suits you, call us to discuss your Solar Hot Water needs.

Q8. Is my house suitable for Solar Hot Water?

We can do a pre-inspection of your home over the phone using google earth, which helps us assess things such as the size of your roof area, the orientation, and if there are any shading issues. Other questions we will need to ask you include your roof material, roof strength and structure, the number of bathrooms you have as well as how many people will be using hot water.

Should there be any issues these are usually identified during the pre-inspection stage and you will have the opportunity to discuss your options. As Insolar sells a wide range of different technolgies, including both roof and ground mounted systems, we have a much higher success rate of finding a system that will meet your needs.

Q9. Are Heat Pumps worth installing in Victoria?

Insolar do not recommend installing heat pumps in Melbourne and other areas of Victoria that have low average temperatures. The lower temperatures in Victoria, mean that in the cooler months the conmpressor will have to run longer which can lead to reduced unit life expectancy and greater energy consumption. While they will most likely still work out cheaper to run than a conventional electric system, even an elctric boosted Solar Hot Water System will easily outperfom it.

Q10. What is the difference between Stainless Steel and Vitreous Enamel Tanks?

In Melbourne where the water quality is high, a stainless steel tank will last considerably longer than a mild steel or vitreous enamel tank. The average life expectancy of a vitreous enamel tank is anywhere from 8-12 years, whereas stainless steel can last over 2 times longer, this is why manufacturers who offer stainless steel tanks generally have longer warranties, than those who offer vitreous enamel tanks.

Vitreous enamel tanks can have their lifes extended considerably by replacing the sacrificial anode every 5 years. This anode attracts corrosion, meaning the tank walls remain intact much longer. In locations where there is hard water, vitreous enamel tanks will last longer than stainless steel, as stainless steel tanks do not have an anode and will eventually start to erode in these water conditions.

If you can not find the answer your looking for here, please contact us or phone us on 03 9328 4884.