Vipac is a leading provider of consulting and testing services in Renewable and Solar Energy Systems. We strongly support positive contribution to this globally significant industry for the future of this planet.
Vipac is a National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) and ISO 17025 certified laboratory. NATA certification ensures our testing facilities are independently audited demonstrating traceable and accurate know how. NATA certification ensures our laboratory is identified against best international practice, and is in line with the Australian Government’s goal of ensuring all reports are NATA certified. You can find out more information about NATA at www.nata.com.au.
Vipac conducts its testing in accordance with the test program that is set out by the client’s chosen Certification Body. The Certification Body audits and provides certification of the unit or system based on Vipac's test reports. Clients may also consider applying for dispensation for some testing if they have existing international test certificates. Vipac encourages full disclosure of previous international testing so that our clients can avoid duplicate testing and finalise their projects in the most cost effective and timely manner.
Vipac offers testing of solar collectors, heat pumps and solar hot water systems inclusive of pumps and controllers, both for domestic and commercial applications. Our testing covers the requirements of AS/NZS 2712, AS 3498 and AS/NZS 4692.1 for accreditation in Australia and New Zealand. This includes thermal performance of solar collectors (AS/NZS 2535.1), performance of heat pumps (AS/NZS 5125.1), design and construction of solar and heat pump water heaters, safety requirements on water heaters, heat loss, pressure fatigue, pressure pulsation, hydrostatic pressure, torque testing and rated hot water delivery. We also have extensive experience testing air conditioners making us the ideal choice for any solar thermal testing.
Our NATA certified Plumbing Products Laboratory can undertake Watermark testing on auxiliary components of water heaters such as thermostatic mixing valves, PTR valves and fixtures and fittings. Furthermore, Vipac’s combustion appliance laboratory is NATA certified to test gas fired water heaters (AS 4552) and our acoustics department offers laboratory or field noise testing of appliances.
Vipac’s point of difference compared to other labs is our flexibility and innovation. We believe in working hand in hand with our clients. During testing, we identify areas of possible improvement to allow our clients to legitimately improve their annual energy savings and improve their STCs entitlement. We can do this from a design point of view in the early stages through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Finite Element Analysis (both Structural and Thermal), mathematical modelling, statistical analysis and TRNSYS design optimisations. This can result in saving our clients both time and thousands of dollars in possible retesting (due to change of conditions / settings as the system is modified). The result for our clients is a product that is more appealing and significantly better from a marketing and financial perspective.
Vipac also offers our clients a one-stop-shop service whereby they can bring their samples to us and we can organise all the required testing for them. Clients can also utilise our extensive testing and scientific background to assist in designing new products for the future.
A range of products qualify for sale of STCs including both domestic and commercial systems. In order to receive STCs for solar water heaters and heat pumps, units first need to be registered with ORER.
ORER is open to receive applications for a period of generally 4 weeks in a cyclic process, usually every 3 - 4 months. During this time anyone with a certified solar water heater / heat pump to AS/NZS 2712 can apply for STCs registration by submitting an application to ORER. Refer to http://orer.gov.au/manufacturers/index.html.
To qualify for STCs, ORER requires applications to include documentation ascertaining compliance to AS/NZS 2712 as well as results from TRNSYS modelling. TRNSYS is a computer simulation program used to model the system components including the solar collector, heat pump, tank, controller and circulation pump to determine the annual energy savings and STCs entitlement and other government rebates.
Once the 4 weeks registration period closes, applications are assessed & reviewed by ORER. This process generally takes 3 - 4 months. Once completed, ORER then responds to the applicants for registration informing them of the outcome of the review. Following this the register is updated. Registration is then re-opened for a period of 3 - 4 weeks for the next round of applications.
The timeframe for testing a solar water heater can vary depending on the requirements. Typically the time frame required is 9 weeks to complete a full scope of testing and a further 2 weeks to issue test reports. Furthermore, any issues that arise can lead to delays, so we recommend that our clients plan to test well in advance. Due to the high demand just prior to an ORER cut off, we recommend that testing be booked as early as possible.
Submissions for inclusion in the Register of solar water heaters - Version 10 is now open until the 31st of May 2011. Version 11 opens immediately thereafter, until the 11th of July 2011. All manufacturers are required to resubmit their systems in Version 10 or Version 11 even if their systems were included in previous versions of the Register. Systems not resubmitted will be given an end date, where installation of the systems thereafter will not be eligible for STCs.
Further information is available on the ORER website: www.orer.gov.au.