Solar Energy Solutions in New Zealand

Saving money with solar energy home solutions

Electricity and gas prices are likely to rise as demand meets and exceeds supply so generating your own electricity from a free source seems like a great idea. After initial installation costs, solar energy is just that. Free electricity...

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While it may seem confusing, solar energy home solutions are reasonably straight forward, and government grants are available to cover some of your installation costs. So what are the basics of solar energy production?

New Zealand has on average 2000 hours of sunshine every year which can be used to heat water through the capture of energy through plates usually installed on house roofs, or converted direct to electricity through photovoltaic (PV) cells.

Why use solar power?
Solar power can save up to 75 percent of hot water costs which on average can account for 40 percent of household electricity accounts. In dollar terms this could be as much as $450 saving per year. The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority provides up to $1000 grant for certain installations with approved suppliers.

Solar energy is environmentally friendly as it reduces the use of non-renewable energy sources. Solar solutions also add value to your home, and are a popular and effective way to heat your water. This will add to your homes resale value as electricity prices continue to rise.

How does it work?
A solar water heating system absorbs energy from the sun in panels on your roof. This energy is then transferred to water stored in a hot water cylinder.

When there isn't much sun, ‘booster' heating is used to keep the water in the cylinder at the right temperature. The booster heating can be provided by electricity, gas or a wetback.

What types of systems are available?
There are many different types of systems and these have individual variations as well. Many suppliers offer packages which include all necessary components and the installation for one fee. For the purposes of this article we will concentrate on hot water heating solutions although Photovoltaic (PV cells) which convert solar energy direct to electricity are in the early stages of production with their cost a major consideration for installation.

Some systems include a hot water cylinder on the roof as well as the panels, or you can use a regular hot water tank in the house. Specialist tanks maximise the solar water heating efficiency, and a regular hot water tank will require a controller to regulate the temperature.

Controllers are not always part of a package so check this will the supplier. There are two types of controllers available which will boost the energy supply to the tank usually through electricity;

• Timer activated controllers
  The hot water is boosted at a certain time of the day. If you have a cheaper night rate electricity you can save more money by having the booster come on at night.

• Temperature activated controllers
  Boost the water when the temperature reaches a certain minimum level.

Some controllers will have both options. The solar panels come in different types too; a flat plate which looks a bit like a skylight, and an evacuated tube system is made up of a series of glass tubes. Either of these options is suitable for New Zealand conditions.

Do I need building consent?
For existing houses, building consent is required for the installation of solar water heating systems because they are linked to drinking water supplies, and can have a large weight added to the roof.

All plumbing work will need to be certified by a registered plumber, and electrical work by an electrician. Usually the installer will take responsibility for the completion of the correct paperwork, however, it is the homeowners responsibility to ensure all certifications are completed. Without correct certification, household insurances may be declared invalid.

When installing a system in a new house, the overall building consent will probably cover the solar water heating system.

Is there any ongoing maintenance?
If you live in a frost prone area you will need to check that your panel doesn’t freeze. If panels have a glycol mixture to prevent freezing, this will need to be changed every five years or so according to manufacturer's instructions. If it has frost plugs these may need to be adjusted.

Regular maintenance such as cleaning the panels, check trees planted close by for shading, and check for leaks

Where can you install hot water panels?
The location of your house is important as it will ultimately determine how easy it is to have solar water heating installed, and how well the system performs.

You will need a roof space which faces north, has good, all year-round sun, is big enough to fit panels, which are usually between 2 and 7 metres squared, is near the hot water tank, your bathroom or laundry.

What size does my system need to be?
The more hot water you use, the bigger your storage tank and collector panel area will need to be. As a general rule for a household with three to four people a tank size between 200-279 litres and a panel area of 2.5-5m2. For five to six people a tank 270-360 litres and panel area 3.75- 6m2 is a good guide. Speak with your installer about your individual needs.

How much will it cost?
The cost of installing a solar energy system will depend on a lot of factors including the size and type of system. In addition, whether it is in a new house, or a refurbishment will alter the cost. As a guide the full cost of purchasing all required components, and installation may be between $4000 and $8000.

The Government, in conjunction with the Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority are offering a grant of up to $1000 certain installations with approved suppliers.

How do you make the most of your solar hot water system?
To make the most of your solar hot water system, be conscious of your water consumption, and don’t waste hot water, especially in winter.

Use hot water in the middle of the day as this gives the sun all morning to heat up the water before you use it, then all afternoon to re-heat. Use a timer to make sure your booster system isn’t heating water you won’t need.

For more information about solar energy solutions visit the NZS.com directory.

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Technology images from Flickr: solar, Microchip and Cable.