Harness Perth's Sunshine with Solar Hot Water

Why Solar Hot Water in Perth?

Perth is one of the sunniest cities in the world, averaging over 8 hours of sunshine per day. This abundant solar resource makes solar hot water an excellent choice for Perth homeowners looking to reduce energy costs and their environmental footprint.

Solar hot water systems capture the sun’s free energy to heat your water, significantly reducing reliance on electricity or gas. Most Perth households can meet 60-80% of their hot water needs from solar energy alone.

How Solar Hot Water Works

Solar hot water systems use roof-mounted collectors to capture the sun’s energy and transfer it to water stored in an insulated tank. The two main types of systems are:

Thermosiphon Systems

The storage tank sits above the collectors on the roof. Water naturally circulates as it heats, with no pump required. These are simple and reliable but place weight on the roof.

Split Systems

Collectors mount on the roof while the tank sits at ground level. A small pump circulates water or heat-transfer fluid between them. This reduces roof weight and allows flexible tank placement.

Types of Solar Collectors

Flat Plate Collectors

These consist of a dark absorber plate in an insulated box covered with glass. They’re robust, cost-effective, and well-suited to Perth’s warm climate. Most residential installations use flat plate collectors.

Evacuated Tube Collectors

These use vacuum-sealed glass tubes containing heat-absorbing elements. They’re more efficient in cooler conditions and at steeper angles, making them useful where roof orientation isn’t ideal. Learn more in our flat plate vs evacuated tube comparison.

The Importance of Booster Systems

While Perth’s sunshine provides most of your hot water needs, extended cloudy periods do occur. That’s why every solar hot water system includes a booster:

• Electric Booster: A heating element in the tank provides backup when solar energy isn’t sufficient
• Gas Booster: An in-line gas heater boosts water temperature as needed

We configure boosters to minimise energy use while ensuring you never run out of hot water.

Is Your Roof Suitable?

Several factors determine solar hot water suitability:

Ideal conditions:

• North-facing roof aspect (best in southern hemisphere)
• Roof pitch of 22-35 degrees
• Minimal shading from trees or neighbouring buildings
• Sufficient structural strength for collectors (and tank if roof-mounted)

Can still work well:

• East or west-facing roofs (with slightly larger systems)
• Flat roofs (with mounting frames)
• Some shading (if morning or afternoon only)

Our free assessment evaluates your specific roof conditions and provides honest advice on expected performance.

Government Incentives

Solar hot water systems qualify for Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) under the federal renewable energy scheme. These certificates can reduce your purchase price by $800-$1,200 or more, depending on system size and your location.

We handle all the STC paperwork and apply the discount directly to your quote, making the process simple.

Maintenance Requirements

Solar hot water systems require minimal maintenance:

• Annual inspection of roof collectors
• Checking anti-freeze levels (in split systems)
• Periodic anode rod replacement in tanks
• Ensuring boosters function correctly

We can set up a maintenance schedule to keep your system performing optimally for decades.