Hi,
We are consider changing to solar for hot water ,as our boiler is slowly giving up,the water comes out luke warm.
Does anyone have any idea how much it will be to install and do you still need a boiler for a back up?

Any information will be appreciated,
cheers

Have a look at http://www.solahart.com.au/

They have a heating element that will heat the water if there is no sun

We have just been looking into this and have had the following quote from Origin. They supply, fit and apply for all the subsidies and rebates for you plus add on their own rebate so this is the final price you pay:

Solar hot water using existing tank - $2,175
Solar hot water with new electric boosted tank $3,150

Also solar pv system to generate electricity which you sell to the grid when you are not using it

6 panels (1002 watts) $3,720
8 panels (1400 watts) $6,685
9 panels (1503 watts) $8,335
12 panels (2004 watts) $13,450
This includes the increased rebate Howard announced in the budget.

Hi,
Thanks for that info.
So the cheapest would be $5895 is that correct,seems alot .
The electric boosted tank, i guess would be incase you dont get enough sun.
Cheers i will look into this.

Looks like the 6 Panels x 2 is a better option than the 12

Oh, does anyone know if there's any planning/neighbour issues with putting panels on your roof?

Cheers,

Big.

Hmmm 2000W isn't enough to boil a kettle...

If you only want solar hot water then the cheapest is $2175. Getting into solar electricity isn't necessary if you only want hot water.

Sounds like your tank is a bit flaky anyway, if it's not currently heating your water enough, so you'd probably need to take the new tank option at $3150.
You need the boosted tank for dull or rainy days when there's not enough solar to heat your water - or you use a lot of hot water on any particular day.

Be aware that solar hot water can get very very very hot - in Rocky, we measured it coming out of the tap at close to 80 deg C!! in summer of course. In winter we used the booster every couple of days.

I can see why they call you "the comedian" ...

If you look on the web site, you'll see that the system size is 2004 watts, but that it generates 8kWh. That'll boil the kettle and a few other things besides .

Gina

Haven't you got a tempering valve fitted? Tempering valves have been mandatory in Qld for a few years. To pass council inspection water temp must not exceed 50°C. lower in high risk areas.
That said in the height of summer the cold feed in our last place was briefly hotter than the hot feed as it ran un-insulated through the roof space.

The reason the 6 panels is better value is that the rebate is a flat $8000 irrespective of how many panels you have. We will have to ask body corporate permission to put up panels but don't think we will have any problem as they are very eco minded. I like the fact that these are flat panels for the hot water, you don't have a big tank stuck on your roof.

Just what I was going to say, we have temp valves in our bathrooms and will be getting one fitted to the kitchen (bathrooms are mandatory for new builds now).

Our Edwards solar system was just over $3,000 and we got $300-something back, but we've had free hot water since we moved in in January, except for the last week when we've needed the electric booster due to the clouds.

If we had one again I'd pay more and got for a split system where the panels are on the roof and the tank is at the side of the house - much more attractive!

Thanks for all your replies,
We are definitely going to go solar,Edwards seems to be one of the main companies,so will have to get a quote from them.
Can anyone recommend anyone else?

Solarhart are good the design has been changed and sacrificial anodes fitted [makes the cylinder last longer]
Beesley are good systems as are Dux. We have a split Dux system, panels on the roof and cylinder under the house. We're connected to the super economy tariff via a second meter, though with three in the household it's only kicked in a couple of times and we've used .2 of a kWh for a 90 day period.

Hi,
Thanks for that info,we are going to ask both for a quote.
Just wish the boiler could of lasted until the summer,as the dam water is luke warm now,lol...So got to get it sorted soon..