solar industries

Solar water heating systems are a smart investment and can be installed in new buildings, in your current building with connection to your existing hot water heating system, or with a complete replacement high efficiency hot water cylinder. Solar systems are inexpensive to install, provide free energy once installed, and reduce overall water heating costs.

When you look to purchasing a solar water heating system you should purchase from a solar specialist. To get the best energy performance out of your new solar system it should be of a design suitable for your situation and it should be installed for optimal performance. There are a range of models of solar system available but optimal energy performance will only come from a system that has been properly designed as an integrated unit (collector, hot water storage tank and controller) and meet the New Zealand design and durability standards.

A solar specialist is trained to be able to advise you on the model of system appropriate for your application and to ensure that it is installed to meet the building code requirements.

The Solar Industries Association (SIA) represents the collective interests of solar specialists (system manufacturers, retailers and and installers of solar water heating systems), and can assist you find the right product and specialist for you. On this website you can find information on :

• what to look for when purchasing a solar hot water system,
• how to find accredited designers, retailers and installers,
• background information on the range of models of system available; and
• sets out the quality standards that solar specialists are expected to achieve.

 

The key to a successfully operating solar water heating system is the quality of the design of the system as a whole (collector, tank, pumps and controller) and the experience of the installer. When you purchase your solar system you should purchase it from an accredited Retailer. An Accredited Retailer is a solar specialist who can ensure that the model of system is right for you, that the system plumbing is properly specified and that the system is installed in terms of the Building Code.

The Association sets standards for its members and assists them to meet these requirements. It recognises this through accrediting appropriate Retailers who meet the appropriate criteria. To ensure you are purchasing a quality system you should choose a product from an accredited solar water heating Retailer.

Newsletters

The SIA newsletter is published quarterly accompanied by random 'Solar Flare' bulletin updates as required to keep the membership current with industry related events. Submissions are accepted from all SIA members, associates and partners. All submissions subject to editing. No content shall be published which specifically promotes or advertises an SIA supplier or product however, products and services deemed beneficial to the membership may reference supplier or manufacturer.

Paid advertising will be considered for inclusion which does not conflict or compete with existing SIA member businesses, (such as eco friendly products or other building/energy saving products and services).

We request and encourage questions, comments and requests for newsletter content and format as well as any industry related article or information for publication.

To submit content in a word document via email contact ddarwin@xtra.co.nz .

Newsletters can be viewed in the SIA Members only section of this website, to login you will need a valid username and password.

EECA and the SIA are considering introduction of the Energy Star scheme into New Zealand. Attached are drafts of the scheme. Comments are sought until 10th December 2009.

• Draft NZ Energy Star - Solar Water Heating specification
• Energy Star - Solar Water Heating consultation
• Energy Star - Solar Heating FAQs

Solar Water Heating Installation Forum

The SIA and EECA ran a one day forum on solar water heating design, consenting, and installation. The forum was repeated in eight regional centres throughout NZ so that those wishing to participate could go to a local forum without extensive travel.

Below are presentations from the forums

SWH Government Programme, N Ross
SWH Monitoring Study, A Pollard
Installation Standards and Current Practice, B Cox
Building Act Requirements - S Ward
Building Consent Processes - Christchurch City Council
Building Consent Processes - Lower Hutt City Council
Building Consent Processes - Hamilton
Building Consent Processes - Nelson City Council
Building Consent Processes - Palmerston North District Council
Tank Design and Supplementary Heating, A Kerr
Installation and Application Training, M Patching
Valves, Reliance
Solar Gas Applications, Rinnai
External Pipe Insulation
Unglazed Collectors and Tanks
Audit and SWH Installations, S Hikuroa