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Solar Power explained:
Solar power is energy that is derived from the sun and converted into heat or electricity. It is a versatile source of renewable energy that can be used in an amazing number of applications, providing power for everything from cars and boats to houses and spacecraft. Solar power is also clean and pollution-free.
For many years, solar power has been used in traditional buildings. In recent years, however, it has provoked great interest, as the high cost and limited supply of fossil fuels becomes increasingly problematic in some developed countries. Many businesses and institutions are researching new ways to harness solar power and make its use more practical and effective. However, solar power is already in widespread use in remote locations where access to other power sources is limited.
Energy from the sun is converted into solar power using solar collectors, most commonly known as solar panels. Solar panels consist of solar cells designed to capture energy from the sun. The solar panels used in heating air and liquid are different from those used to provide electricity. To absorb the highest possible amount of solar energy, solar panels must be pointed at the sun.
What is the difference between a Solar Power system and a Solar Hot Water system?
Energy from the sun can be converted into solar power in two ways. The first way involves the use of solar thermal applications. Solar thermal applications use the sun's energy to provide direct heat to air or liquid. Solar thermal panels can be used for both residential and larger-scale applications. The second way of obtaining solar power involves the use of photoelectric applications. Photoelectric applications use photovoltaic cells in converting energy from the sun into electricity. Photovoltaic cells are considered low maintenance and well suited to remote applications. They use semiconductors like silicon to convert energy from the sun into electricity.
How long does a solar water heater last?
Typically a Solar Hot Water system will last 15-20 years, which is roughly double that of an electric system.
What are Renewable Energy Certificates (REC)?
Renewable Energy Certificates, or RECs, were introduced by the Australian Federal Government as an incentive to assist the switch to renewable energy sources as part of its policies to ensure Australia meets its international commitments in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It introduced the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000, supported by the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations in 2001, to increase renewable electricity generation from Australia's renewable energy sources by encouraging the generation of an additional 9,500 GWh of renewable energy per year by 2010. This has had a substantial impact on the water heating industry.
Measuring the amount of renewable energy produced, or non-renewable energy displaced, is done via the creation of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). A REC for a solar water heater is the equivalent of 1 MWh of renewable energy produced, or non-renewable energy displaced, over a ten-year period.
The installation of a solar water heater may be eligible for the creation of RECs if it is accredited by the Office of Renewable Energy Regulator (ORER) and results in a positive greenhouse gas benefit. Once created RECs can be traded, purchased or sold, thereby making a solar water heater installation cheaper for the owner. The value of RECs is not fixed and varies from time to time.
A Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) is an electronic, tradeable commodity equal to 1 Megawatt hour of renewable energy generation. A REC is similar to a share certificate as it represents a unit of value and may be traded for financial return. In the REC Registry, each REC is identified by a unique four-part code which includes:
- the Registered Person Number of the original creator of the certificate
- the accreditation (Power Source) of the power station, small generation unit or solar water heater for which the REC was created
- the year in which the REC was created
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What is the difference between a Roof-Mounted and a Split Solar Hot Water system?
A Roof-Mount system has the tank installed on the roof near the collectors. It is usually cheaper to purchase and install. A split system has only the collectors on the roof. The solar hot water tank is located on the ground or in the house. An electric pump is necessary to pump the hot water from the collectors into the storage tank and back again.
Why switch to Solar?
Energy costs are always on the rise, directly resulting in bigger power bills every year. You can try and counter it by turning off appliances you don't need but this will only have a lmited effect in the long run. Cost of energy has on average gone up by 7% every year - sometimes by much more, for example a 16% increase was recently announced - and this will likely continue.. Can you afford that?
Future generations depend on you. We are currently polluting more than ever and need to do something before it's too late. Whether you believe that burning fossil fuels are the reason for the climate change, bringing down the pollution levels, and looking after our Earth, can only be a good thing!
The Solar Credit Scheme makes Solar Power very affordable. With so many different systems to choose from, whether you want to fully eliminate your power bills or just start out with a basic system, there's has never been a better time to go Solar!
RECs and Government Rebates apply to Heat Pump Hot Water & Solar Hot Water. With these hot water systems alone you can expect to save up to 35% off your power bills. According to the Australian Government, a Solar Hot Water System can save you up to $800 every year.
Add value to your house. A Solar system or Heat Pump will not only add value to your house but also make it stand out from the crowd in the event of a sale! Potential buyers may appreciate that buying your house will result in not having to pay for anymore power bills.
The Solar Hot Water Rebate:
The Australian Government is providing a rebate of up to $1,600 to help eligible home-owners, landlords or tenants replace their electric hot water system with solar or heat pump hot water systems. The rebate is offered for systems installed on, or after
3rd February 2009 until March 2012, subject to the availability of funds.
Eligible Systems
To be eligible for the rebate a hot water system must:
- replace an electric storage hot water system
- be purchased and installed on, or after 3 February 2009
- be a solar or heat pump hot water system that is eligible for at least 20 Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) at the time and place of installation
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- be installed by a suitably qualified person (for example an electrician or plumber).
Eligible Households
- The dwelling where the hot water system is installed must be a principal place of residence.
- The household must not have already accessed the Insulating Australian Households Rebate
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