Community Energy

1
Community Energy Water Efficiency Rebate
Information Session

• Byron Shire Council
• Presented By
• Adam Corrigan
• Sustainable Energy Water Services

SEWS
2
Byron Shire Council IntroductionGraeme
WilliamsSustainability Officer

• Purpose of this presentation is to inform
  homeowners in Byron Shire of the benefits and
  rebates available for the installation of energy
  and water efficient devices.
• Byron Shire Solar Hot Water Campaign Run April -
  June 2008
• Resulted in 95 households installing solar hot
  water systems over a two month period
• OR saving of 380 tonnes of CO2 abated per annum.

3
Sustainable Energy Water Services (SEWS)Adam
Corrigan - Managing Director

• SEWS is an Independent home energy and water
  Assessment / Auditing company.
• No Contractual agreement with any Solar Hot
  Water, Solar Power, Insulation or any other
  product provider.
• Home Energy and Water Audits on behalf of many
  other NSW Councils, State and Federal Governments
• Almost 4000 homes assessed so far.

SEWS
4
Information Session Overview

• Reasons For Retrofitting (10 mins)
• Solar Hot Water, Solar Power and Rebates (40
  mins)
• Water Tanks, Water Efficient Washing Machines and
  Rebates (30 mins)
• Household Insulation and Rebates (10 mins)
• Questions and Answers (10 mins)

5
The Reasons for RetrofittingThe 3 Cs

• Cost Savings
• Reduce your Electricity, Gas and Water Bill Costs
• Carbon
• Reduce your Carbon footprint
• Comfort
• Increase the Comfort of your home and lifestyle

6
The Reasons for Switching to SHW and Rebates

• Carbon / Environmental
• Large CO2 Savings
• Between 2 - 4 Tonnes of CO2 per year
• Cost / Economic
• Significant Dollar savings
• Long System Life
• Cost of Electricity and Gas rising quickly
• Rebates for Installation (vendor, Local, State
  and Federal)
• 20 - 40 of the average households
• energy used for heating water

7
Hot Water Environmental Comparison
8
How the Various SHW Systems Operate

• The Names of the Various SHW Technoligies
• Thermosiphon System
• Split System
• Flat Panel Collector
• Evacuated Glass Tube
• Open and Closed Loop Systems
• Boosting Options

9
Thermosiphon SHW Systems

• Thermosiphon SHW Systems use sunlight to
  circulate water or heat absorbing fluid through
  the solar collectors to the storage tank using
  the thermosiphon principle that hot water or
  fluid rises and that dark surfaces absorb heat.
• This eliminates the need for circulating pumps or
  other moving parts. The tank and the solar
  collectors are both mounted on the roof.
• The system is available in open-loop and
  closed-loop configurations.

10
Typical Thermosiphon System

11
Split Systems

• The solar collectors are separated from the
  storage tank, with the tank located below the
  collectors on the roof.
• Consequently, a circulating pump and controller
  are utilised to ensure correct water / Heat
  transfer fluid circulation.
• Like thermosiphon systems, the forced circulation
  system is also available in open loop and closed
  loop configurations.

12
Flat Panel Collector

• Contains copper risers that hold the water/fluid.
• 12 through to 32 risers.
• Tube or pressed copper plate.
• Tempered glass.
• AS/NZS 2712 2007
• Stainless steel or
• Steel frame.
• Connectors

13
Evacuated Glass Tubes

• The Suns solar energy is transferred to a
• manifold via the heat pipe located in each tube.
• Heat transfer then occurs between the heat
• pipe and water passing through the manifold. The
• water is then transferred to the tank.
• The cylindrical design of the tubes ensures
• effective collection of the Suns solar energy
• throughout the entire day.
• Frost tolerant to around minus 15 degrees

14
Evacuated Glass Tubes
15
Evacuated Glass Tubes
16
Open Loop Systems

• Open Loop System- Suitable for Non-Frost Climates
• In Open-Loop Systems the water is circulated
  through the solar collectors and is heated
  directly by the sun.
• The heated water then goes to your storage tank
  to await use.
• These systems are suitable for climates that are
  frost-free and have good water quality.

17
Closed Loop Systems

• Close Loop System - Suitable for Frost Prone
  areas
• Closed loop systems use a heat absorbing fluid
  which flows to the water storage tank to heat the
  water via a heat exchanger.
• They are particularly useful in frost prone areas
  and areas with poor water quality.

18
Boosting Options

• All SHW have either electric or gas boosting to
  ensure a continuous supply of hot water, so you
  should never run out of hot water.
• Electric
• Element Size/s
• Dual or single element
• Off Peak Tariff
• Manual Boost Switch or effective Controller
• Adjustable Thermostat

19
Boosting Options cont

• Gas or LPG
• In tank or in line booster
• Adjustable Thermostat
• In Line is an additional product to
• purchase and maintain

20
System Comparison

• Flat Panel vs. Evacuated Glass Tube
• Initial Costs
• Warranty
• Structural Issues
• Performance
• Retrofit
• Maintenance
• Aesthetics / Visual impact
• The Number of RECs the system creates go to
  www.orer.gov.au

21
Storage Tanks

• Vitreous Glass Enamel Lined Steel
• Shorter tank life Generally
• Must Replace your Sacrificial Anode
• Stainless Steel
• Higher Purchase Price
• Longer Tank Life in General
• No Sacrificial Anode
• Varying Grades of Stainless Steel available
• Insulation of Tank is Very Important

22
Installation Considerations

• Collectors should be positioned on north-facing
  unshaded roof, sloping at least 150.
• Flat-plate collectors are most effective up to
  200 either side of due north.
• Evacuated Glass tubes claim to be effective up to
  900 either side of north.
• Collectors can be mounted on stand for other
  orientations or incorrect roof slope.
• May be able to convert relatively new,
  pre-existing hot water storgae tank to solar.
• Check your home insurance policy to make sure
  that your SHW system can be covered

23
Maintenance
Ensure that you follow the maintenance
requirement of the manufacturer to ensure
validity of Warranty's. Sacrificial Anodes and
TPR Valves If required in your Hot Water Storage
Tank, ensure that they are checked and replaced
in a timely manner. If Properly Maintained this
can dramatically increase the life of the storage
tank Keep the tank dry and out of the weather to
limit corrosion on all parts.
24
Rebates Federal Govt

• Up to 1000
• Eligibility Requirements
• Full details of eligibility are provided in the
  guidelines in the Applicant Information Booklet
  available on-line.
• Eligible Systems
• To be eligible for the rebate, a hot water system
  must
• Replace an electric storage hot water system, be
  purchased and installed after 18 July 2007
• Be a solar hot water system that is eligible for
  at least 20 Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)
  at the time and place of installation and be
  installed by a suitably qualified person.
• Eligible Households
• The dwelling where the hot water system is
  installed must be a principal place of residence.
  
• The applicant's taxable family income must have
  been less than 100,000 in the most recent tax
  year as lodged with the Australian Taxation
  Office.
• Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)
• Essentially a form of Carbon Credit / Offset that
  is used as a point of sale rebate, the more RECs
  associated to a particular SHW system the higher
  the point of sale rebate.

25
Rebates NSW State Govt

• Up to 1200
• Eligibility
• The new hot water systems must
• Replace an existing electric hot water system
• Be for residential properties in NSW only
• Be purchased in full and installed between
  October 1, 2007 and June 30, 2009
• Be installed by a licensed plumber
• Hot water systems installed to comply with BASIX
  (the Building Sustainability Index) for new homes
  and major renovations are not eligible for a
  rebate
• How much is the rebate?
• Up to 1200 for a solar hot water systems
  eligible for at least 20 Renewable Energy
• Certificates (RECs)

26
SHW Finance Options

• Vendor finance
• Check with the individual SHW vendor
• Some offer Interest free Loans
• Some offer Low interest Loans
• Finance institutions
• Check with your Finance Institution
• Some offer Interest free Loans as an addition to
  your mortgage
• Some offer Low interest Loans
• Leasing / Rental / Service Plans
• No initial cost
• No maintenance costs
• You do not actually own the system
• Ongoing contract cost of up to 20 years

27
SHW Q As

• How much can I save?
• In a typical house, water heating accounts for
  one third of your electricity use. By installing
  a solar hot water system and using the sun's
  energy to heat your hot water, you could save up
  to and above 75 per year on the hot water
  component of your electricity or gas bill.
• Does it work as well as a standard hot water
  system?
• Yes. Solar hot water systems provide just as
  much hot water as conventional systems, even on
  cloudy days. This is because they have a booster
  (electric or gas) that heats water in the storage
  tank if there is not enough sunshine.
• What are the environmental benefits?
• Most of Australias electricity use is created
  by power plants burning coal to generate
  electricity. This emits carbon dioxide into the
  atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse
  effect. An average house using solar hot water
  can help prevent up to 3.5 tonnes of carbon
  dioxide being released into the atmosphere each
  year that's about the same emissions produced
  by one car on the road every two years.

28
Solar Hot Water Hyperlinks

• AS/NZS 27122007
• Standards Australia
• Rebates and Discounts
• Federal Government
• State Government
• Byron Shire Council Solar Hot Water Program

29
The Reasons for Installing Solar Power and
Rebates (Based on 1 Kilo-watt Grid Connect
System)
Carbon / Environmental BenefitsProduce an
average of 1000 - 1400 Kilo-watts per year in
NSWApprox 25 Tonnes of Co2 saved over a 25
year period Cost / EconomicPayback period
varies dramatically depending on your cost of
electricity and how much electricity you feed
back into the grid, your rebates and your daily
electricity consumption Long System Life - most
Solar Panels are warrantied to 25 years Cost of
Electricity is rising quickly which shortens your
payback period
30
The Reasons for Installing Solar Power and
Rebates - Contd

• Potential introduction of a Federal Feed - In
  Tariff will further reduce your payback period
• Feed In Tariffs have been announced in S.A, Qld,
  W.A, and the ACT
• Federal Rebates available now will not last long
  term and will most likely be replaced with
  Carbon Credits in 2010, although currently
  meant to last through to 2012
• Rebates for Installation are substantial- up to
  8000 from the Federal Govt
• RECs of approx 1000
• Check with your Electricity Retailer and solar
  installer for the exact price they will pay for
  electricity you feed into the grid

31
How Does Solar Power Work?
When the sun is shining on the solar panels they
generate solar electricity. This electricity is
then fed into an inverter which converts it to
mains voltage. During the day if you are using
any appliances, the solar electricity will be
sent to power your appliances. If no energy is
being used while the system is producing
electricity, the inverter feeds this energy into
the electricity grid. At night, your house
draws energy from the grid. With a Grid
Connected System you do not require batteries and
you will never run out of power as you have the
electricity grid as a back up. In addition to
this, no changes will be need to made within your
house regarding internal wiring etc. It is all
managed at the switchboard.
32
How Does Solar Power Work?
33
How Does Solar Power Work?
You are essentially purchasing a series Photo
Voltaic Solar Panels and an Invertor
(below). The Invertor converts Direct Current
Electricity to Alternate Current Electricity
which can then be used in your home or fed back
into the grid
34
Solar Power Product Insurance and Warranty
Considerations
Ensure that all products meet relevant AUSNZ
Standards Ensure that all products (Solar Panels
and Invertors) have a reasonable warranty
period Ensure that the installation has a
reasonable warranty period provided by the
installer as this is different to the product
warranty Try to utilise a reputable local
provider that will provide you with timely and
effective service Have the Solar Power
Installation covered by your Home insurance Must
be installed by a BCSE accredited installer to
receive RECs and Fed Govt rebates
35
Solar Power Product Insurance and Warranty
Considerations
Must be installed by a BCSE accredited installer
to receive RECs and Fed Govt rebates Check
with Country Energy to be sure of the feed in
price for electricity and any other associated
costs, such as the replacement of your homes
electricity meter You should also consider
wether or not you might wish to upgrade your
Solar Power installation at a later date and
wether your system is capable of being
upgraded If you think that you might want to
upgrade then ensure that both the Solar Panels
and the Inverter are capable of doing so
36
Solar Power HyperLinks
Federal Government Rebate http//www.environment.
gov.au/settlements/renewable/pv/ Country Energy
http//www.countryenergy.com.au/SolarEnergy Cle
an Energy Council http//cleanenergycouncil.org.a
u/ Australian New Zealand Solar Energy Society
Ltd www.anzses.org The International Solar
Energy Society http//www.ises.org
37
Water Tanks, Water Efficient Washing Machines and
Rebates
Since February 1996, ROUS Water has been
implementing a range of education programs and
financial incentives that aim to raise community
awareness about using water more efficiently and
reduce the demand for potable (drinking quality)
water in the region. These programs make up the
ROUS Regional Demand Management Strategy that is
now a key component of the future water supply
strategy for the region.
38
Water Tanks and Rous Water Rebates
Tanks purchased on or after 1 July 2007 are
eligible for the current Rous Water rebates.
39
Water Tanks and Rebates ContdState Govt
In addition to the Rous Water rebate on tanks,
from 1 July 2007 until 30 June 2009, the NSW
Government is offering rebates on tanks over
2,000 litres in volume. The State Govt
Rainwater Tank Rebate is available for the
installation of any new rainwater storage system
in residential properties in NSW. Eligibility?The
tank(s) must have a minimum 2000-litre capacity
and be purchased in full and installed between 1
July 2007 and 30 June 2009.
40
Water Tanks and Rebates ContdNSW State Govt
Note that the State rebate is available to all
residents while the Rous Water rebate is only
available to existing town water customers in the
Rous region.
41
Water Efficient Washing Machines and Rebates

• The NSW State Government is offering a 150
  rebate
• Terms and Conditions
• To qualify for the NSW State Government rebate
  you must purchase a new washing from 1 August
  2008 to 30 June 2010 inclusive
• Purchase the new washing machine for personal use
  and install the machine in a residential property
  in NSW
• Have a minimum 12 month warranty
• Have a minimum 4.5 star rating under the WELS
  scheme

42
Water Efficient Washing Machines and Rebates

• To receive the rebate, DECC requires an original
  tax invoice or receipt stating
• date and place of purchase
• make and model of the washing machine purchased
• water efficiency rating of the washing machine(s)
• the receipt number
• the ABN of the store you bought the washing
  machine from
• that payment has been made in full
• Although every effort will be made to return
  original receipts, DECC will not be held
  responsible for failure to return original
  receipts. Applicants are advised to retain a copy
  of their receipt for warranty purposes.

43
Water Efficient Washing Machines and
RebatesHyperlinks
NSW State Govt Washing Machine
Rebates http//www.environment.nsw.gov.au/rebates
/ccfwmr.htm
44
Household Insulation Rebates

• Benefits of Insulation
• Insulation is one of the most effective ways to
  improve the energy efficiency, and therefore
  carbon emissions from your home
• Insulation of the building envelope helps keep
  the heat in during the winter, but keeps heat out
  during the summer to improve comfort and save
  energy
• Insulation can save between 20 to 40 of heating
  and cooling energy costs
• The comfort of your home is improved year round
• It also increases the sound - proofing of your
  home

45
Household Insulation Rebates

• How much is the rebate ?
• The NSW State Government rebate covers half the
  cost of installing ceiling insulation in your
  home, up to a maximum of 300
• It is available for any type of thermal
  insulation materials for ceilings, installed in
  residential properties in NSW
• Eligibility
• The ceiling insulation must
• cover the entire ceiling area
• comply with the Australian Standard for
  insulation - AS/NZS 4859.12002
• be purchased in full, and installed between 1
  October 2007 and 30 June 2009

46
Household Insulation Rebates and Hyperlinks
NSW State Govt Rebates http//www.environment.ns
w.gov.au/rebates
47
Community Energy Water Efficiency Rebate
Information Session

• Presented By
• Byron Shire Council
• Sustainable Energy Water Services

SEWS