Merewether: solar built for salt air

Merewether is beautiful to live in and unforgiving on equipment. Salt-laden air off the ocean attacks fixings, rail and enclosures far faster than it does a few suburbs inland, and the cheapest mounting hardware on the market simply doesn't last here.

So the specification changes. Stainless fixings, properly rated mounting systems and sealed, weatherproof enclosures are standard on coastal jobs, and inverter placement is chosen to keep gear out of direct salt spray and afternoon sun where we can.

The housing mix adds its own constraints. Merewether runs from original cottages through to heavily renovated homes and newer builds, which means roof condition, batten condition and switchboard age vary enormously street to street. Every job starts with someone physically on the roof.

Done properly, a coastal system lasts its full warranted life. Done cheaply, it needs attention in five years — and on a Merewether roof that's an expensive lesson.