Use solar to get in hot water

With the solar PV rebate currently closed, many homeowners who may have been considering installing a solar PV system will now wait until 1 July to do so as we move to a point-of-sale rebate model. If you are in this position or are unable to get the solar PV rebate because you already have panels or panels might not be suitable for your home, it may be worth considering a solar hot water system instead. The solar hot water rebate remains open and offers up to $1,000 return on your solar hot water system installation costs.

A solar hot water system may have a large initial cost, but in the long run it can be significantly cheaper to run than a conventional electric or gas system. On average, 25% of a household’s energy use is for heating water, which adds up to hundreds of dollars a year. Consequently, heating water is also usually the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions in a home.

Apart from reducing hot water bills and emissions, solar hot water also offers the benefit of improving the reliability of your hot water supply.

If you have a large household where you’re frequently at risk of running out of hot water, a solar hot water system can improve this. Because water is good at storing heat, a solar hot water system can help to better retain energy generated from solar. A system that’s fitted to your needs should be able to supply more than 90% of your household’s hot water.

If you’re interested in installing a solar hot water system, use our 1, 2, 3 step process to apply for a solar hot water rebate. You’ll need to provide us with supporting documents as evidence that you’re eligible to apply for a rebate.

If you have more questions about the solar hot water rebate you may also find our FAQ on solar hot water systems useful.