Heating water using a system that uses solar power is a smart move for both the environment and your pocket. This is the best use for solar panels in dwellings and there are a range of tried-and-true systems available.
If you’re a big user of hot water then a solar system may provide you up to 50% of your hot water each year. In winter you can heat a substantial proportion of your hot water and potentially in summer, all of it. Christchurch has sunshine hours that will support solar hot water heating and most of Christchurch has little shading from hills that can interfere with solar panels.
Ideally you will need a house that has a north-facing area of roof that isn’t blocked by other structures or shading. Installation is cheaper and easier with a new house and it's easier to ensure plumbing and wiring can perform optimally for your system. A new structure can also have the necessary support needed for heavy collection tanks. The best idea is to talk to an installer about what is available, your requirements and any deals or subsidies that might be on offer.
The Governnment is offering assistance through the Efficient Water Heating Programme, and this includes two grants, the Solar Water Heating and the Heat Pump Water Heating Grants. You do need to get an authorised installation to qualify for these.
"The efficient water heating programme is designed to get the greatest value for money, by giving the highest grants to those solar water heating systems and heat pump water heaters that save the most energy. It provides grants to eligible systems of $1000 or $500, depending on the energy savings offered by the solar water heating system. "
For details, forms and case studies :
http://www.energywise.govt.nz/funding-available/solar-and-heat-pump-wate...
EECA has criteria and this needs to be checked before you start work. "What do I do to get ENERGYWISE funding?
Step 1: Choose a solar water heating system from EECA's list of registered systems. Or, find an EECA-registered retailer and get them to recommend a registered system that meets your needs.
Step 2: Get a quote from the relevant Registered Retailer . If you accept the quote, the Registered Retailer will provide you with a sales and purchase agreement and a grant claim form.
Step 3: Obtain a building consent for the system before it is installed. It is the home owner's responsibility to obtain a building consent, however your retailer Registered Installer or Registered Retailer will probably be able to help with this process.
Step 4: Have your system installed by a Registered Installer and get their sign-off on the claim form when the installation is completed.
Step 5: Complete the grant claim form you received from the Registered Retailer. Ensure that both the Registered Installer and Registered Retailer have completed and signed their sections of the form.
Step 6: Send the grant claim form to EECA within six weeks of the date of installation. You will also need to provide a copy of your sales and purchase agreement to verify the sale and a bank deposit slip or bank statement to confirm your bank account details for payment."
