With your purchase of a hot water solar panel system, you may be eligible for any one of several federal and state government rebates. The simplest way is to utilise  Living Solar's 'point of sale' discount on your hot water system, and claim the rebate, STCs or VEECs amounts off the system price, thereby making the initial purchase price much lower*. This is by far the simplest way of claiming the rebate as you do not need to deal with any government departments or face delays in receiving your rebate cheque.

*Please note; the Federal Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme $1000 solar hot water rebate can only be claimed by the purchaser of the solar hot water system and is not available as a point of sale discount.

Most solar hot water systems sold today are ‘split’ systems, which has the heaviest part of the system on the ground, with only the collector panels installed on the roof. The solar tank is not much different to install than a normal storage hot water system. If you have chosen a gas boosted solar hot water system, you can install the booster on the tank or on an adjacent wall. Most installations, including split and close-coupled systems, are installed in one day, so by the time you come home at night, you will have piping hot water ready to go.

A booster is always required with a solar hot water system, but it is usually only needed on days with low solar gain. Electric boosting operates on a thermostat set to a minimum temperature of 60°C. On the other hand, a gas booster only operates on the solar tank outlet line and boosts only when the hot water is in use and only then if the temperature in the tank is less than 60°C.

Plastic pipes must not be used between the storage tank and solar panels as these systems operate at very high temperatures and pressures. Insulated copper pipe must always be used with a solar panel for hot water. If a house is being plumbed with plastic pipes, it is recommended to contact the pipe manufacturer and obtain their specifications. The first metre of pipe from the solar tempering valve should always be insulated copper pipe.

As with any new home or major renovation, an approved 50°C tempering valve suitable for solar hot water systems will need to be fitted to all hot water lines leading to bathrooms.
 

No. The Rinnai Solar gas boosters basically have the same internals as the Rinnai INFINITY hot water system, but they are specifically configured for high temperature with a dedicated solar printed circuit board which is not compatible with Water Controllers.  Government requirements say the booster temperature must be set at a minimum of 60°C.

Yes.  Due North is the ideal direction for maximum performance of solar panels for hot water, however, where this orientation is not practical, collectors facing within 60° from North are acceptable, with a small reduction in efficiency of approximately 5%.  Government requirements do not allow for panels to face due East or due West. 

Where necessary, roof frames are available that allow for panels to be installed on virtually any roof direction, while re-orientating the panels towards North.  The inclination of the solar collectors should also be considered, and ideally should be the same angle as the latitude of the installation location, i.e. Melbourne has a latitude of 38°, therefore the angle of the solar collectors should also be 38°, however a pitch within 20° of the optimum is acceptable, with only a small reduction in efficiency.