Solar power confusion

[popeyespappy]

I thought as much. I am surprised though that you use solar/gas for the water.

Being in Western Australia we have a strong Natural Gas production industry. It is cheaper for us to go with gas than electricity (North West Shelf Gas Fields not withstanding)

It's not that. The US too has strong natural gas production. Last year we produced nearly 30,000,000 million (yes that's 30 million million) cubic feet of NG. While we import a little more than we export, about 2.5 million million cf last year, that's only because many productive wells are currently capped. Mostly because of royalty issues. It's cheaper for the greedy gas companies to import it than pay royalties to the people it belongs to. All my heating including household, water and cooking is currently gas.

We we were looking the issue with solar/gas water heaters seemed to be safety problems related to over pressurizing the tank. It just wasn't a recommended solution. Solar/electric was touted as safer. Apparently they've solved that issue, if there ever really was one, down under.

When we were looking the only option was solar/electric for water. In any case it sounds like something Pad should seriously consider. Even if his place isn't as efficient as your new home it sounds like something that will save him a lot of money over time.

I would suggest that you DO look into the cost benefits pad. We have eight panels facing North and since South Australia is similar to WA, might be worthwhile for you. You will have to look at just what "Buyback/ Back to Grid" offers are available for your state but so far our PV System has cost us $AUD3500 to install with a generous $AUD2000 rebate and $AUD0.40 per KWH rebate from Synergy (State Gov. subsidy)

Have a GOOD look at what SA Gov rebates are avail pad and being a pensioner you may be entitled to more.

^ This.