Residential Solar Water Heater Modelling
Entry point and workflow map for residential solar water heater modelling, certification, and scheme applications.
This section covers every step of a residential solar water heater (SWH) modelling project, from quote acceptance to closeout. New staff should read this page first and follow the links in order; experienced staff can jump directly to the phase they are working in.
Residential SWH modelling uses AS/NZS 4234 annual simulation to support ESS product approvals. Typical projects involve one or more residential SWH models, solar collector performance and tank heat loss evidence (AS/NZS 2535.1 and AS/NZS 4692), AS/NZS 2712 certification, and scheme applications through CER and VEU.
Project workflow
Every residential modelling project moves through eight phases. Each phase has a defined entry condition, deliverable, and exit gate. Phases must be completed in order; no phase begins until the previous phase’s exit gate is signed off.
Use the Email Templates for kickoff, testing, documentation, modelling approval, declarations, submissions, and closeout.
| # | Phase | Exit gate | Key pages |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Quotation | Quote accepted | Pricing, Residential process overview |
| 1 | Project Initiation | Project folder, Monday item, kickoff details, and portal/signatory status confirmed | Initiation Checklist, Client Kickoff Form, Portal Access |
| 2 | Testing & Certification | Test and certification plan confirmed; required reports received or tracked | Collector Performance, AS/NZS 4234, Certification |
| 3 | Documentation Review | Required documents complete and cross-document consistency check passes | Documentation Review, SWH Documentation |
| 4 | Modelling | Gate A pass and client written approval of certificate results | TRNSYS Tool, Parameter Review, Annual Simulations |
| 5 | Audit File Preparation | Gate B pass; declarations and audit packs ready | CER Audit Files, VEU Audit Files, How to Prepare Audit Files |
| 6 | Submission | Director final review pass; applications lodged or handed to client with clear next steps | CER Submission, VEU Submission |
| 7 | Closeout | Closeout checklist signed off | Closeout Sprint, Post-Project Debrief |
Phase summaries
Phase 0 - Quotation
Director-led. Confirm brand and model list, schemes in scope, whether testing/certification is complete, whether EnergyAE is submitting to CER/VEU/ESS, and any limits on optimisation or variant modelling. Quote issued on Xero.
Exits when: Quote is accepted by the client.
Phase 1 - Project Initiation
Open the project folder, Monday.com item, and live project checklist. Send the kickoff email and request consolidated documents through SharePoint. Confirm portal access and signatory status for CER, VEU, and ESS where applicable.
Exits when: Project identity, scope, document intake path, portal/signatory status, and internal project records are confirmed.
Phase 2 - Testing & Certification
Confirm the testing pathway for potable water, electrical safety, collector performance (AS/NZS 2535.1), tank heat loss (AS/NZS 4692), AS/NZS 4234 modelling, and AS/NZS 2712 certification. If testing has not started, send the pre-test advisory so collector and tank heat loss evidence will support scheme applications.
Exits when: Required test reports and certification evidence are received or tracked with clear owners and expected dates.
Phase 3 - Documentation Review
Review all documents for completeness, model names, legal entity, brand names, tank details, collector performance data, data plates, manuals, schematics, certificates, and declarations. Batch client follow-up requests rather than sending drip emails.
Exits when: Documentation is complete enough for modelling and audit preparation, and outstanding items are recorded.
Phase 4 - Modelling
Set up the residential SWH TRNSYS tool, enter collector performance data and tank specifications, complete parameter review, optimise control settings, run annual simulations, and prepare the AS/NZS 4234 report. Request Gate A review before sending results to the client.
Exits when: Gate A passes and the client approves certificate results in writing.
Phase 5 - Audit File Preparation
Compile scheme-specific audit packs, declarations, authorisation letters, Part C files, test report evidence, certification evidence, manuals, data plates, drawings, and AS/NZS 4234 outputs. Run self-review before requesting Gate B review.
Exits when: Gate B passes and all client signatures/approvals required for submission are complete.
Phase 6 - Submission
Lodge applications through CER (SRES) and/or VEU/ESS as scoped. Save confirmations, application IDs, portal screenshots, and scheme correspondence. Send the submission confirmation email and monitor application status.
Exits when: Director final review passes and submissions are confirmed lodged or handed to the client with written instructions.
Phase 7 - Closeout
Closeout is a defined phase, not admin drift. Confirm submissions and approvals, update Monday.com and EMO, clean SharePoint, issue final invoice, send closeout email where useful, and complete the debrief within 2 weeks of final submission confirmation.
Exits when: Director signs off the closeout checklist.
Review and gate index
Residential solar water heater projects use the same review rhythm as commercial projects: initiation check, Gate A modelling review, Gate B audit/submission review, director final review, and closeout sign-off. Where a formal checklist is not yet project-specific, use the equivalent commercial review gate as the reference and adapt it to residential ESS/VEU evidence.