SunCity Hot Water: Riding the Solar Hot Water Wave in Australia's Energy Revolution

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As energy costs continue to surge for Australian households and businesses, there's a quiet yet significant player emerging in the renewable energy landscape – solar hot water. Green Energy Markets reports that solar hot water installations have reached record highs, driven by the relentless increase in energy expenses. In May alone, when rooftop solar systems installations saw a 30% boost under the federal incentive program, a remarkable 15,564 solar hot water (SHW) systems were registered. This marks the highest monthly level ever recorded for SHW systems under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), exceeding its prior 12-month average by an astonishing 48%.

The surge in installations led to the creation of 387,000 small-scale technology certificates (STCs), a significant milestone that represents the highest monthly STC creation under the SRES, a staggering 136% above the prior 12-month monthly average.

Why the Solar Hot Water Boom?


The epicentre of this solar hot water boom in Australia is New South Wales (NSW), where registrations skyrocketed to 7,200 systems. This impressive figure is 268% above the state's 12-month average and a substantial leap from May of the previous year.

The precise reasons for this surge in NSW are multifaceted. The state itself offers incentives to upgrade home hot water systems to more energy-efficient models. Furthermore, as one of the eastern states, NSW faces an impending 25% hike in wholesale power prices at the beginning of the new financial year, primarily due to inflated global fossil fuel prices impacting the Australian market.

The Australian Energy Regulator has also signalled potential increases to default energy offers in NSW, possibly up to $435 annually for customers who don't take up special deals. Given this backdrop, any opportunity for energy savings is highly sought after by consumers.

Victoria, too, has played a pivotal role in the rise of solar hot water installations. Solar Victoria offers generous $1,000 rebates for households transitioning from gas hot water systems to either electric systems or electric-backed solar hot water. It's important to note that these rebates no longer apply to gas-boosted solar hot water systems.

The Future of Solar Hot Water


As solar hot water gains momentum, it's essential to consider its place in the rapidly evolving electrification landscape. Advocates of electrifying everything recommend combining rooftop solar with electric heat pump hot water systems, which can effectively function as a battery for storing excess photovoltaic (PV) generation in the form of heat.

According to Simon Roche from the University of Technology in Sydney, an electric water heater with a 300-litre tank can store a comparable amount of energy to a second-generation Tesla Powerwall, but at a fraction of the cost. Roche's research at the UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures suggests that Australians could use household electric water heaters to store as much energy as over 2 million home batteries of that kind, potentially saving over $6 billion annually on energy bills while moving closer to achieving net-zero carbon emissions.

In conclusion, the surge in solar hot water installations in Australia reflects a growing awareness of the need for energy-efficient alternatives as electricity prices continue to rise. With incentives, rebates, and the potential for substantial energy savings, solar hot water is becoming an attractive choice for Australian households. As the country transitions towards a cleaner energy future, solar hot water, combined with electrification efforts, promises to play a crucial role in reducing both energy costs and carbon emissions.

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