This week’s Federal Budget announcement of a household income means test for the$8,000 photo voltaic (PV) solar rebate has thrown the alternative energy’s sister industry, solar hotwater into chaos.
Solahart , industry leaders and the world’s first manufacturer of solar hot water systems says they havebeen inundated with calls from people not understanding the difference between the two technologiesor the amount of rebates actually on offer.
"Our customer base is made up of everyday families who want to do their part to help the environmentand for whom every dollar counts. We are already seeing that these families are getting the two solartechnologies confused, and as they see solar PV is out of financial reach, they assume solar hot wateris as well,” says Solahart’s National Manager, Stephen Cranch.
While both technologies harness the sun’s energy, solar hot water is strictly the heating of water usingsolar collector panels while PV panels convert the sun’s heat into power for lights and electricalappliances.
“As the largest single power user in a home, electric water heating is also the biggest contributor ofhousehold greenhouse gas emissions which is why installing a solar water heater packs the biggestenvironmental punch,” says Mr Cranch.
“It’s the equivalent of taking a 4-cylinder car off the road every year. We have recently learnt about acustomer who installed a system in their family home 23 years ago and kept precise records of theirpower bills. It cost them only 1 cent per day to heat their water.”
“That’s living proof that this technology works to save energy and money and it’s affordable,” says MrCranch.
Taking into account the various cash incentives such as Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), andthe State and Federal rebates, the cost of installing solar water heating is reduced by thousands ofdollars. The final price varies from State to State according to their incentives and rebates.
There are currently 4 million homes in Australia with electric water heaters.
“Our concern is the restrictions on rebates mean they’ll choose to spend their money on somethinglike a Plasma that chews even more power rather than invest in something that can make a positivedifference to their power bill and the environment,” says Mr Cranch.