Solar PV Vs Solar Hot Water

Which Renewable Energy Solution Is Right For Your Home?

Pros Of Solar PV

Cons Of Solar PV

  • Energy is only produced during daylight hours
  • Requires enough available roof space, or space for a ground-mounted system
  • Performance can be affected by constant shading from large trees or buildings
  • Requires an upfront investment
  • It can be difficult to find a good, specialist installer

Solar Hot Water

How Does Solar Hot Water Work?

Pros Of Solar Hot Water

  • Uses free thermal energy from the sun to reduce your water heating bills only
  • Reduces your carbon footprint, especially if displacing gas or diesel water heating
  • Can supply 50-75% of your annual water heating energy requirements when installed correctly
  • Can be retrofitted or incorporated into a new build
  • A quality system has a long expected lifespan of up to 20 years

Cons Of Solar Hot Water

  • Can only be used to heat water and does not produce electricity to power other appliances
  • Only reduces the carbon footprint associated with water heating
  • Weather dependent and not suited to climates that experience large seasonal temperature fluctuations, like the South Island, as they are prone to freezing in winter and overheating in summer
  • Requires a backup booster system which is usually powered by a fossil fuel such as gas
  • Can be difficult to size correctly
  • Require an upfront investment
  • Requires building consent to install
  • Moving parts may require some ongoing maintenance

What Other Renewable Energy Options Are There?

What Is Micro Wind Generation?

Pros Of Micro Wind Generation

  • Wind is a free, clean and renewable resource
  • Can reduce carbon emissions
  • Can reduce your energy bills
  • Can be retrofitted in the right circumstances

Cons Of Micro Wind Generation

  • Requires significant upfront investment – a 2kW turbine is around $20-30K
  • Needs minimum average wind speed of 6–8 m/s and non-turbulent air to operate. Which means a turbine must be installed in a clear area with no obstructions. Guidelines recommend above your home at twice the height of the house, or 10 x the height of your house in distance away. This makes turbines most suited to rural areas and are commonly used on boats

  • With many moving parts they can attract significant maintenance and low quality turbines have a track record of breaking down
  • Susceptible to damage from storms
  • Can be noisy and often considered unsightly

What Is Micro Hydro Generation?

Pros Of Micro Hydro Generation

  • Can operate 24 hours a day, as long as the water flow is consistent
  • Produces clean, renewable energy that can power any electrical appliance in your home
  • Production is often higher in the winter months when electricity demand is also high
  • Can be designed to reduce the negative effects on surrounding water course and environment
  • Requires an upfront investment

Cons Of Micro Hydro Generation

  • Only suitable in very specific site conditions
  • Difficult to increase scale as needs grow
  • Requires significant infrastructure and diversion of a water course
  • Can disturb plant and fish life in the water and surrounding areas
  • Requires a building consent and potentially a resource consent
  • Can be subject to damage during storms or periods of very high rainfall
  • Generation can be affected seasonally and in occasionally unpredictable ways (i.e during a drought)
  • Requires regular maintenance and cleaning to remove sticks and debris

When Will Tesla Solar Roof Tiles Be Available In NZ?

So, Which Option Is Right For You?

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