Water heating accounts for around 25% of the average household’s energy usage. Getting your hot water free from the sun not only saves energy, it also saves the greenhouse gas emissions that would have been produced in the generation of that energy. By replacing an electric storage water heater with a Solahart you can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 3 and 3.4 tonnes a year*, the equivalent of taking a small car off the road. In fact solar water heaters are so good for the environment that STC’s (formerly Renewable Energy Certificates) and some government incentives exist to make it easier to get into solar hot water.

Each STC represents the equivalent of one megawatt hour of electricity generation from an accredited renewable energy source. For solar water heaters each STC represents the displacement by solar energy of one megawatt hour of electricity generation from a non-renewable energy source.

The installation of a solar or heat pump water heater in your property may be eligible for the creation of STC’s. The financial benefit from assigning your right to create STC’s for your solar or heat pump water heater installation can be used to reduce the purchase price of your new Solahart.

The number of STC’s which may be created varies with the model of solar or heat pump water heater and the region in which the unit is installed. The value of an STC is not fixed and varies from ‘time to time’.

This will vary depending on which part of Australia you live in, your current hot water system and hot water consumption, the model of Solahart you install, the orientation and inclination of the system’s collectors and of course your fuel tariff.

Maximum financial savings off your hot water bill are achievable when replacing an electric water heater on continuous tariff.

Financial payback will vary depending on your circumstances, but with the available incentives plus the ongoing energy savings you can begin to recoup your additional investment straight away when you remain connected to the same fuel tariff. After you recover your initial investment, the savings are yours to spend on yourself and your family, year after year.

If your current hot water system breaks down Solahart can have you back in hot water within 24 hours, in most instances, with a temporary system while you wait for your installation, to take away the inconvenience of cold showers.

All solar water heaters include gas or electric boosters to ensure you have hot water even during the colder, darker days of winter and on those rainy days we have from time to time. By selecting the right Solahart model for your area and your family’s hot water usage patterns, you can ensure you minimise the need to use the booster.

The best Solahart unit for your needs will depend on the following key factors:

• The amount of available sun
• Is the area prone to frost?
• The water chemistry in your area
• How many people in the home and their typical hot water usage

To choose the best water heater for your family, call your local Solahart expert who will help you pick the right unit for your current and future circumstances.

Solahart’s revolutionary range of Streamline Split System solar water heaters allows you to enjoy all the benefits of Solahart’s advanced solar technology – without the tank on the roof.

The Solahart Streamline system locates the low profile collectors on your roof, with the tank installed at ground level. Alternatively you can choose a Solahart Heat Pump which uses heat pump technology to extract heat from the surrounding air, without solar collectors at all.

Solahart has a range of payment plans and interest free options available and in some cases without the need for a deposit to approved customers.

A solar hot water system uses the visible and infrared radiation from the sun to directly heat water. A solar power system uses the visible radiation from the sun, and converts it into electricity for use in the home or to be fed into the electricity grid.

Solar water heating is normally the first step. Getting your hot water free from the sun will dramatically reduce your energy needs. Once you have reduced your energy usage, the next step is to install solar power. The less energy you need, the less power you will need to produce from your solar modules.

Solar power systems use photovoltaic (PV) cells to produce electricity. When sunlight hits a solar power system, direct current (DC) electricity is produced. This is converted into 240V alternating current (AC) using an inverter. This electricity can be used immediately within the home or fed into the National Electricity Grid (grid).

The National Electricity Grid is the network of wires that delivers electricity from generators to homes and businesses around Australia. When you install a solar power system you become a generator of clean renewable energy.

An inverter is an electronic device that converts the DC power generated by the modules into AC power at the correct voltage for supply to the grid. It also provides equipment protection and safety features.

Electricity generated by a solar power system is used to offset or replace the power that would normally be purchased from your electricity supplier – thereby reducing your power bills and saving money. This solar generated energy also avoids the harmful pollution caused by generating electricity from the burning of fossil fuels.

The savings on offer are very attractive and will go on for years. The amount you save will depend on your household’s current electricity usage, the size of the solar system being installed, orientation and inclination of the modules and the feed-in tariff offered by your electricity supplier.Your local Solahart consultant will assess these factors and give you an estimate of your savings.

Yes, because the inverter will only produce power when it is connected to the grid supply.

A grid connected solar power system does not store energy. When you generate more power than you need, you supply the extra power into the grid. At times when you need more energy than you are producing, you draw the extra you need from the grid.

Our smallest system requires a roof area of around 11 square metres. This will generate around 30% of the average family’s energy needs each year. Our system sizes go up to approximately 5kW. The more powerful the system, the more solar modules and roof space are needed.

Solar power systems work best on an unshaded north-facing roof. It is also possible to install a solar power system on an east or west facing roof, however this will reduce the performance of the system.

This depends on your roof space and the size of the inverter. If you have sufficient roof space and additional capacity in the inverter you could increase the size of your system. If room permits you could add a second system to your roof.