Best Solar Hot Water Systems in Perth: 2026 Comparison of the Top 6

Short answer: The best solar hot water system in Perth in 2026 is the Eurosun rooftop or split high-performance range. It is engineered for WA’s open-circuit conditions, carries a 10-year collector and 5-year tank warranty, qualifies for federal STC rebates, and is installed and serviced by a Western Australian team. The five strongest alternatives are Solahart, Apricus, Rheem (incorporating Edwards), Rinnai, and Chromagen. Each has merit, but Eurosun is the best fit for the Perth climate profile and remains competitive on price.

This guide compares the six leading solar hot water systems available in Perth, ranks them across the criteria that actually matter, and answers the questions Perth homeowners ask most often before buying.

This analysis is also featured in our recent industry press release: Eurosun Tops 2026 Ranking of Best Solar Hot Water Systems for Perth Homes.

Quick Comparison Table

System Collector Warranty Tank Warranty Technology Frost Tolerance STC Eligible Capacity Options
Eurosun 10 years 5 years Flat plate, open-circuit (rooftop and split) Suited to frost-free Perth metro Yes 200L, 300L, 315L split
Solahart Varies by model 10 years (PowerStore cylinder supply) Flat plate thermosiphon; PowerStore Closed-circuit options for frost zones Yes Multiple
Apricus 15 years 10 years Evacuated tube -15°C built-in [VERIFY] Yes 250L, 315L, 400L
Rheem (Edwards) 5 years 5 years Flat plate, Drain-Back available Premier Loline drain-back frost-protected Yes 270L, 325L
Rinnai Sunmaster 7 years 5 years (Sunmaster); 10 years (Prestige) Flat plate, close-coupled, evacuated tube Frost protection kits to -6°C Yes 200L, 330L
Chromagen Varies 7 years (main components) Flat plate; heat pump Limited Yes Multiple

Sources: manufacturer product pages, accessed 2026. Where data is approximate or has variants by model, the most widely sold residential configuration is shown. Full citations available on request.

What Makes a Solar Hot Water System “Best” for Perth?

Perth’s climate is one of the most favourable in Australia for solar hot water. The city averages over 3,200 sunshine hours per year and around 8 peak sun hours per day in summer. Frost risk in the metropolitan area is negligible. Scheme water across most suburbs is of moderate hardness and is generally compatible with both vitreous enamel and stainless steel cylinders.

In practical terms, this means three things:

  1. Open-circuit systems are highly effective. There is no need to pay for the glycol loops or drain-back mechanisms that protect southern systems from frost.
  2. Flat plate collectors are competitive with evacuated tubes in summer. Evacuated tubes outperform in cold and low-light conditions, but Perth has fewer of those days than Melbourne, Hobart, or Canberra.
  3. System sizing matters more than gimmicks. A correctly sized 300L tank with a quality flat plate collector will deliver hot water for a family of four through almost any Perth day without the booster running.

This is why the Eurosun open-circuit configuration ranks ahead of more heavily engineered eastern-states systems for Perth homes. The product is matched to the climate, not over-built for it.

Best heat pumps perth

The Top 6 Solar Hot Water Systems in Perth for 2026

1. Eurosun

Eurosun supplies rooftop open-circuit systems in 200L and 300L configurations and a 315L ground-mounted split system. The collectors use a sputtered selective surface for high solar absorption. The tank carries a titanium blue enamel coating that meets Australian WaterMark certification, and a sacrificial anode protects against corrosion. A Thermosiphon Arrestor Valve (TRV) manages overheating risk on high-radiation summer days.

Boosters are available in either electric or gas configuration. Warranty position is 10 years on the solar collector and 5 years on the tank, with installation covered as part of the Eurosun service package. Finance is available through Brighte. The full Eurosun service team is based in WA, which materially reduces warranty response times compared to brands serviced through third-party plumber networks.

Best for: Most Perth households, particularly those replacing an electric or gas hot water service and looking for a system that will not be over-engineered for the climate.

Learn more about Eurosun hot water systems | Eurosun High Performance Solar 300L

2. Solahart

Solahart’s parent company (S.W. Hart & Co) was founded in Western Australia in 1901 and produced its first solar water heater in 1953. The brand has deep local heritage and extensive dealer presence across Perth. The PowerStore product is positioned as a solar-smart electric water heater that diverts excess solar PV generation to water heating, which is useful for households that already have a PV system but no battery. PowerStore carries a 10-year cylinder supply warranty with 3-year cylinder labour and 3-year parts including labour.

Solahart’s solar thermal rooftop range remains widely installed in Perth and is a credible alternative for buyers prioritising heritage and dealer footprint.

Best for: Households with existing solar PV who want a solar-electric diversion product (PowerStore), or those who prefer a long-established WA-origin brand.

3. Apricus

Apricus is an Australian-owned manufacturer specialising in evacuated tube technology. The 15-year collector and 10-year tank warranties are among the longest in the market. Tubes are individually replaceable, which reduces repair costs if a single tube is damaged. Frost protection is built in to -15°C without glycol. Capacity options include 250L (22-tube), 315L (30-tube), and 400L (44-tube).

For Perth, the practical question is whether evacuated tube performance justifies the price premium given that frost is not a relevant risk in the metro area. For homes in cooler inland WA regions or the Perth Hills where frost is a real risk, Apricus is a strong choice.

Best for: Cooler regional WA installations and Perth Hills properties where frost is a genuine risk, or households prioritising the longest available warranty.

4. Rheem (incorporating Edwards)

Rheem’s solar range covers the Loline and Premier Loline split systems. The Premier Loline uses patented Drain-Back heat exchange technology, where the heat transfer fluid drains out of the collectors when the pump stops, providing frost protection without permanent glycol. The standard warranty is 5 years on the cylinder, heat exchanger, and solar collectors, with 3 years’ labour on the cylinder and heat exchanger and 1 year on parts, including labour.

The Edwards brand, with its strong WA heritage and marine-grade 316 stainless steel cylinders, is now sold within the Rheem Solar Specialist Network following Rheem’s acquisition. Edwards-style stainless steel systems remain available through this channel.

Best for: Households that want a multinational brand with a national service network, or who specifically want the Edwards stainless steel cylinder option.

5. Rinnai (Sunmaster and Prestige)

Rinnai offers three configurations: close-coupled (tank and collectors on the roof together), flat plate split, and evacuated tube. The Sunmaster range uses a vitreous enamel tank with a 5-year tank warranty and a 7-year collector warranty. The Prestige range steps up to stainless steel with a 10-year tank warranty. Frost protection kits are available to -6°C on Sunmaster, suitable for most inland WA locations.

Best for: Buyers who already have a relationship with a Rinnai-accredited plumber, or those wanting the option to specify close-coupled, split, or evacuated tube under a single brand.

6. Chromagen

Chromagen has supplied solar thermal systems internationally since 1962. In the Australian market, Chromagen also distributes Midea-manufactured heat pump hot water units. Solar hot water systems carry a 7-year warranty on main components, with 1 year on valves, elements, and thermostats. Customer service feedback on independent review platforms is mixed, with multiple reviewers on ProductReview.com.au citing post-installation service issues. Buyers should confirm the WA service pathway before committing.

Best for: Buyers prioritising the lowest upfront price who are comfortable with shorter warranty cover and the variability in service experience reported by some customers.

Solar Hot Water Pricing in Perth, 2026

Installed pricing in Perth in 2026 falls in the following bands:

  • Entry flat plate, 200L–250L: $3,000 to $4,500 installed; $2,200 to $3,800 after STCs
  • Standard flat plate, 300L–315L: $4,000 to $5,500 installed; $3,200 to $4,700 after STCs
  • Evacuated tube, 250L–315L: $4,500 to $6,500 installed; $3,800 to $5,800 after STCs
  • Premium split systems with drain-back or stainless steel: $5,500 to $7,000 installed; $4,800 to $6,500 after STCs

These bands are aggregated from WA installer pricing and indicative ranges, accessed in 2026. Site conditions (roof access, height, pipework, fixings into limestone or red tile) materially affect the installed price.

Solar Hot Water Rebates in WA: What You Can Claim in 2026

The federal Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) scheme remains the primary incentive. Eligible systems generate STCs based on TRNSYS-modelled solar contribution, and the certificates are typically traded by the installer and applied as an upfront discount on your invoice. The discount value depends on the number of STCs your system earns and the prevailing STC market price, which in early 2026 sits in the $37 to $40 per certificate range. Most household solar hot water systems attract a discount between $500 and $1,000.

WA does not currently operate a state-level rebate for solar hot water or heat pump hot water. The previous Solar Hot Water Subsidy Scheme has closed.

The separate WA Residential Battery Rebate Scheme, providing up to $1,300 for Synergy customers and up to $3,800 for Horizon Power customers, applies only to battery storage systems and does not extend to solar hot water.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best solar hot water system in Perth?

The Eurosun rooftop or split high-performance range is the best solar hot water system for most Perth households in 2026. It is purpose-built for open-circuit conditions, carries a 10-year collector and 5-year tank warranty, qualifies for federal STCs, and is installed and serviced by a Western Australian team.

How much does a solar hot water system cost in Perth?

Installed pricing in 2026 sits between $3,000 and $7,000 depending on collector technology, capacity, and site complexity. After STC rebates, most Perth households pay $2,200 to $6,500 net. Evacuated tube systems and premium split systems sit at the upper end of the range.

Are solar hot water rebates still available in WA?

The federal STC rebate is available and typically discounts $500 to $1,000 off the installed price. The WA state-level solar hot water subsidy has closed. The WA Residential Battery Rebate Scheme exists but applies only to battery storage, not hot water.

Is an evacuated tube or a flat plate better for Perth?

For Perth metro households, flat plate is competitive and usually better value. Evacuated tubes outperform in cold, overcast, or frost-prone conditions, which describes very few days in the Perth metropolitan calendar. For Perth Hills homes or regional inland WA installations, evacuated tube becomes more attractive.

How long do solar hot water systems last?

A quality solar hot water system installed correctly should deliver 15 to 20 years of service. Collectors typically outlast tanks. Most warranty failures occur in the tank, which is why the tank warranty (rather than the collector warranty) is the more meaningful number to compare across brands.

Do I need a booster with a solar hot water system?

Yes. Every solar hot water system requires a backup booster, either electric or gas, for cloudy stretches and high-demand evenings. In Perth, the booster runs infrequently due to high solar gain, but it is essential for service continuity. Gas-boosted systems are generally more efficient where reticulated natural gas is available; electric is the default elsewhere.

Can I install solar hot water if I already have solar PV?

Yes. The two systems are complementary. Solar PV generates electricity; solar hot water generates heat directly. For households with PV but no battery, the Solahart PowerStore is one option for diverting excess PV to water heating. A dedicated solar hot water system is typically more efficient for water heating specifically and reserves your PV generation for other electrical loads or export.

How to Buy: Five Checks Before Signing

  1. Confirm the model is on the Clean Energy Regulator STC register. No registration means no STC rebate.
  2. Read the warranty in full. Cylinder, collector, parts, and labour are often warranted for different periods. The shortest of these is your real exposure.
  3. Ask who installs and who services. Direct installer networks resolve issues faster than third-party plumbing chains.
  4. Size for your actual household. A 200L tank suits one or two people. 300L to 315L suits four to six. Oversizing wastes capital; undersizing forces the booster on.
  5. Get the quote net of STCs. Some quotes show gross pricing only. Always ask for the net figure after the STC discount is applied.

Ready to Switch?

If you want a system that is engineered for Perth conditions, warranted for the long term, and installed by a WA team, request a no-obligation Eurosun quote. Our team will assess your property, recommend the right capacity, and walk you through STC rebate eligibility before you sign anything.