solar hot water

Updating the Register of solar water heaters

Version 12

Please note that Version 12 was carried out by the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator prior to its move to the Clean Energy Regulator on 2 April, 2012

Call for submissions

ORER regularly updates the Register of solar water heaters that lists all solar water heaters and heap pump water heater models eligible to have small-scale technology certificates (STCs) created for them.

Industry is now invited to make submissions to update the Register of solar water heaters - Version 12.

Closing time for submissions

The closing time for lodgement of submissions is 3pm ADST, 02 December 2011.

ORER recommends submissions be lodged well before the due date so that we may review your submission and suggest changes if necessary. Incomplete submissions will be returned to the applicant and manufacturers will need to resubmit their submission in the next round.

STC methodology

The small-scale technology certificate (STC) entitlements (energy offsets) for all models listed on Version 12 of the Register must be calculated using the STC methodology in legislative instrument F2011L00486. The legislative instrument is available on the ComLaw website at http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2011L00486.

The above methodology was published in March 2011 and has been required for all models on the Register from Version 10 onwards. Submissions must follow the updated methodology to be accepted into Version 12 of the Register.

Accreditation to AS/NZS 2712-2007

Accreditation to AS/NZS 2712 has been a requirement for listing a solar water heater or heat pump water heater in the Register of solar water heaters since the beginning of the Renewable Energy Target scheme. On 12 September 2007 Standards Australia updated AS/NZS 2712:2002 to AS/NZS 2712:2007 to include new compliance tests for solar water heater and heat pump water heaters.

Compliance with the amended standard must be demonstrated by providing the Clean Energy Regulator with an AS/NZS 2712:2007 licensing schedule that identifies all of the models you wish to have listed on the Register.

Contents of submissions

The full range of requirements for the preparation of submissions is available on the ORER website.

Please note: Parts A, B, C and D of the submission forms have been updated since Version 11. Submissions will only be accepted that use the current forms.

To complete a valid submission you must complete all of the steps below:

Before you submit:

  • Check the ORER website, or contact the Regulator to ensure that correct version of the STC methodology has been used to determine STC values.
  • Confirm model names listed in Part C match EXACTLY with the model names as listed on your AS/NZS 2712:2007 Schedule.
  • Complete the contact details in 'Part A: Contact Details'. If one contact will not be receiving emails at any time before the new version of the
  • Register is published, please provide the details of an additional contact that will be able to receive communications from the Regulator.
  • Read and sign the declaration in 'Part B: Declaration'. Please be aware that if you sign this declaration and do not have complete audit files and records that demonstrate the accuracy of your claimed STC values your submission may be rejected.
  • Ensure you have all the files required for an audit on hand (see audit file checklist in Part D) prior to sending the Regulator your submission.  

What to submit:

  • Parts A, B, C and D completed and with each page initialled by applicant
  • Microsoft Excel copy of Part C
  • Official AS/NZS 2712:2007 licence schedule(s) with each model listed, please provide in PDF format or provide a hyperlink to the online schedule.

Following an initial assessment, submissions that are found to be incomplete will not be accepted and will be returned to applicants. Submissions that include minor errors will be returned for correction and resubmission. No new models may be added to a submission after it is first made.

The requirements for an audit of your STC values

The Regulator will audit complete submissions to check their eligibility under the legislation and other procedures.

Each manufacturer must have their audit files prepared prior to sending the Regulator their submission. Please ensure that your audit files are prepared as shown in the checklist below. Non compliance with the below format will result in your application being in rejected.

1 Deck files for each model, including all output files, include files and standard weather files.
2

Technical Details Sheet (TDS) completed for each model.

Please you check your work carefully and do not make transcription errors.

3 Tank drawings - dimensioned tank drawing with all penetrations and sensor positions labelled and applicable HX details shown - in DOC, PDF or JPG format.
4 Model schematic - sketch of product configuration with components labelled - in DOC, PDF or JPG format, saved as Model number_schematic.
5 AS/NZS 2712 test report - saved as Model number_2712, should include all AS/NZS 2712 tests in one report.
6 AS/NZS 4692 test report - if appropriate for model, tank standing heat loss test report, saved as Model number_4692.
7 AS/NZS 2535 test report - if appropriate for model, the solar collector efficiency and incidence angle modifier test report, saved as Model number_2535.
8 Flow rate and power input test report - if appropriate for model, the flow rate and power input test report saved as Model number_PUMP.
9 Low Flow Documentation - If the “Low Flow” option is claimed for a pumped circulation solar water heater or a separate heat pump water heater then documentation detailing how this is achieved for EVERY installation must be provided, with the document saved as Model number_LOW FLOW.
10 Heat pump performance test report, if appropriate for model, document to be saved as Model number_5125.
11 Gas booster test report, if appropriate for model, document to be saved as Model number_4552.
12 All other reports as required (eg heat exchanger test report, programmable controller logic etc).
ORER suggests you refer to checklist in the Part A of the application form when you prepare your audit documents.

Required audit files submission format

All audit files must be provided in folders and sub-folders as set out below. This format allows the auditors examining your models to easily identify information. If files are not provided in this format you may be asked to re-submit the requested files to the Regulator.

Further information

For forms of relevance to manufacturers visit the Manufacturers forms page.

For publications of relevance to manufacturers visit the Manufacturers publications page.

For further information, please contact the Small Renewables Registration team on 1300 553 542 or swh@cleanenergyregulator.gov.au.

Date last updated: 03 Apr 2012