Happy in hot water

RETRAVISION stores around the country are stocking a new range of solar hot water systems from Western Australia.

CapAus, a special purpose outlet for the Danish based VKR group, has started distributing the range of Solar Now solar hot water systems.

CapAus general manager Rodger Meads said the company was targeting the hot water replacement market, specifically owners whose hot water system has failed and are looking for a new one.

The company’s sales promise revolves around a replacement solar hot water system within 24 hours with no up-front cost.

The Solar Now hot water systems will use European-built solar collectors that have been modified to meet Australian standards, along with Dux-built hot water tanks.

The thermostat and pump control systems for circulating water through the collectors have been designed in WA.

In the eastern States market there is a large demand for ground-level tanks rather than the roof-mounted tanks most commonly associated with solar hot water systems.

Mr Meads, who was a former SolaHart managing director, said the Balcatta-based CapAus operation had done all of the design work for the Solar Now heaters.

“Some of the assembly work will be done here as well,” he said.

“The principal aim of what we’re doing in Australia is to do the financing, installation and sales of these water heaters through Retravision.”

The Solar Now heaters will be sold on about a $40 a month repayment plan.

Mr Meads said the Renewable Energy Certificate rebate payments from the Federal Government would equate to about a $24 a month saving.

“What’s happening in Australia is there has been a huge increase in the solar segment due to these Renewable Energy Certificates,” he said.

While it seems odd for a company to be importing solar collectors from Europe – given the perceived lack of sun in those countries – there is actually a thriving solar energy market there.

Mr Meads said there were about two million square metres of flat-plate collectors in Europe.

“In Australia the total production is somewhere in the order of 160,000 square metres,” he said.

The company will also be distributing EnviroSun, solar hot water systems, which look more like the traditional solar hot water systems, into the Pacific market.