thisplace.com.au - Solar Hot Water Rebate Scheme

Save money and maximise the performance of your new system.

Water heating accounts for about 40% of domestic energy use in Queensland, and most homes use electric hot water systems. By using the sun's energy to heat water, you can reduce your hot water bills by up to 80%, a significant saving over the life of the system.

Solar hot water systems help to conserve energy and protect the environment because solar energy produces no harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Solar power is promoted around the world as the environmentally friendly energy source for the future and Queensland has an abundance of solar energy all year round.

The Solar Hot Water Rebate Scheme

Queenslanders who buy a solar hot water system, replacement panel or tank for their home may apply for a rebate of up to $750 under the State Government's Solar Hot Water Rebate Scheme. When you buy a domestic solar hot system for your new home, or to replace an existing electric, gas or solar hot water system, and you use a qualified installer, you can apply for these rebates:

$750 towards the cost of a new solar hot water system with a panel collector area of at least 3.5 square metres (normal two panel system).
$450 towards the cost of a new solar hot water system with a panel collector area of between 1.75 and 3.49 square metres (nominal one panel system).
$150 towards the cost of replacing a panel and $150 towards the cost of replacing the tank of an existing hot water system (limited to $300 per household).

To be eligible for the rebate:

The property must be your principal place of residence.
You must own the residence.
The system must be installed in accordance with the Solar Hot Water Rebate Scheme Guidelines.
You must use a qualified installer.

Types of solar systems

In most solar hot water system, energy from the sun is absorbed through solar collectors or panels. This energy heats water which circulates through the collectors and into a storage tank, ready for use. The storage tank is usually fitted with an electric or gas booster to maintain water temperature during extended periods of cloudy or wet weather. Most roofs can support a tank without reinforcement, but you should check this before installation.

Thermosyphon system: This is the most common system available and consists of roof mounted solar collectors with a storage tank immediately above the collectors on or inside the roof.
Forced circulation system: This system has solar panels on the roof and a storage tank on the ground. A small pump circulates water through the panels into the storage tank for around 2 cents a day. This system is generally used when solar collectors are added to an existing hot water system (solar conversion). A forced circulation system is less visible but slightly less efficient than a thermosyphon system.
Heat pump system: This relatively new system works like a refrigerator in reverse, absorbing heat from the air and transferring it into the water. It is efficient and can work 24 hours a day in all weather conditions without a booster.
A heat pump comprises three major components:
- Collector panels or fin coil evaporator to absorb heat from the air.
- A condenser where heat is transferred to water.
- A compressor to circulate the refrigerant.

For more information about Solar Hot Water Systems contact the Queensland Government, Department of Mines and Energy or visit their website.

Source: Queensland Government, Department of Mines and Energy, Switching to Solar brochure.