Solar Report FAQs
How does the solar report work?
How do solar water heaters work?
Where can I buy a solar water heater?
Are there rebates available in Victoria?
How does the solar report work?
The solar hot water savings figure is calculated from the amount of solar energy available each day in Melbourne on a horizontal surface. This is derived from measurements taken by the GOES-9 satellite and reported by the Bureau of Meteorology each morning for the previous day.
In order to better understand this figure, it is provided as a percentage of the weekly greenhouse indicator for energy produced by the Climate Group.
It is also compared with the amount of greenhouse gas produced by an average car over the same period and reported as equivalent to taking that many cars off the road. Visit the Greenfleet website for more details.
For more information, please contact Sustainability Victoria on 8626 8700 or visit the Clean Energy Council website. See links below.
How do solar water heaters work?
Water is heated by trapping the heat from the sun. Typically, this heat is captured in the solar panel mounted on the roof and facing north (i.e. towards the sun) and the heat either directly warms the water in the collector or heats a fluid which then transfers the heat to the water in the tank.
There are a number of different types of solar water heaters. Some are 'close-coupled' (i.e. the tank and the panels are coupled together on the roof). Others are what is termed 'split systems' where the panel is on the roof and the tank is either inside the roof space or is located on the ground below the collector.
Solar collectors can be flat or cylindrical. The cylinder systems are called 'evacuated tubes' and while they work differently to the flat plate collectors, they still use direct and indirect solar radiation.
Heat pumps also take the heat from the sun and are included as solar water heaters. They do not have solar collectors but take the heat from the air using the reverse principle to a fridge. This process transfers heat from the air to the hot water via an expansion and compression process.
As the sun does not shine 24 hours a day and 7 days per week all year, all solar water heating systems have an alternative fuel source as 'back-up'. The most greenhouse-friendly options have gas as back-up or electricity generated by GreenPower (i.e. other renewable energy sources). Back-up can also be provided if you have a woodstove or by electricity.
Where can I buy a solar water heater?
The Australian Business Council for Sustainable Energy has all the major solar water heater companies as members. See links below.
Are there rebates available in Victoria?
A rebate is available for the installation of an accredited solar hot water heater when replacing an existing gas or solid fuel hot water system.
For most other situations, such as replacing an electric hot water system or installing a solar hot water system in a new home, an alternative benefit is available through Commonwealth Government Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). See related content below.
