Why Go Solar Thermal?
Every Day The Sun Rises...
The Choice Is Yours - Solar Energy Or ?
When people think of solar energy, they envision solar-powered electricity and the large solar panels mounted on roofs. This definitely is one option to consider for using solar energy in your daily life. However, solar energy has expanded so much that you now have many more options for use on a day-to-day basis.
Generate Heat for Hot Water
Solar systems can heat the water in your home to fill your hot-water tank. These tanks must be well-insulated to maintain the hot water temperature once the sun goes down. These systems also typically require a hot-water tank to have a back-up heating system, but the U.S. Department of Energy estimates your cost savings of water-heating bills to be 50 percent to 80 percent. Some fairly inexpensive systems also heat the water in swimming pools.
So Why Go Solar Thermal?
Because, Solar Thermal Energy is the most cost effective solar option for energy generation! People see photovoltaic "PV" systems in the media every day, to the point that "solar" means "solar electric power". Solar thermal has largely missed the media spotlight, and many do not understand some of the key differences that make solar thermal the most cost effective option for energy generation.
Cost of System per Watt
Solar thermal costs less per unit of power than photovoltaics, pure and simple. Today's solar thermal collectors boast maximum efficiencies of up to 80% of the energy of the sunlight being converted directly to heat, while solar photovoltaic systems boast perhaps 14% after de-rating and inverter losses. All things being equal, a "typical" PV system of 3,000W gross rating often costs about $26,000 compared to the cost of a standard solar thermal system of approximately 4,400W costs less than $12,000. Think about it, half a gain the capacity for less than half the price.
Economical Storage
Solar thermal systems store the energy they collect in water or some other medium. This means that heat collected while you are at work is available when you want it, even when the sun goes down. By contrast, a photovoltaic system must rely on batteries to store energy collected during the day, or divert it to load dumps or the local electrical grid. Batteries are expensive and inverters are even more so, and batteries must be periodically replaced and recycled.
Maintenance
Let's face it, solar thermal is easy to understand. There are a few basic components, including the panels, pump, tank, controller and sensors. Solar photovoltaic systems are vastly more complex. Solar thermal systems are simpler and most homeowners can perform maintenance by themselves. Even if repairs are required, simpler systems take less time to inspect and perform repairs on.
Greenhouse Gas Emission Savings
Comparison of the greenhouse gas emission savings of solar water heating versus both natural gas and electric water heating.
Natural Gas Water Heaters
The average family uses 60-80 gallons of hot water each day. A natural gas water heater, which is typically 58% efficient, generates 3,200 pounds of CO2 emissions per year. Solar saves the average household 2/3rds of the fossil fuel energy consumed for water heating, and saves 2,131 pounds of CO2 annually.
Electric Water Heaters
An electric water heater will consume 4,275 KW-h annually to heat the 80 gallons of hot water each day. The solar hot water heater saves at least 2,851 KW-h of this amount. Half of all power plants in the US use coal to generate electricity. By replacing electricity with solar to heat water, you will save 6,272 pounds of CO2 annually. Rising fuel prices shine light on solar energy options
Why rent your energy when you can own it?
Breakdown Of The Average Utility Bill
Investing in solar thermal can cut water heating costs 70 to 100 percent. Solar collectors are installed on rooftops, or on the ground on racks and tilted to catch the sun's energy. They collect heat the way a car does when it sits in a sunny parking lot, even on a cold day. Solar energy is transferred to the solar storage tank, the tank is the bank $$$. It’s very satisfying to get hot water without paying anything, the savings rise as fuel cost rise. There are Federal credits for domestic solar hot water. Apart from environmental benefits solar power is a way to stop paying higher & higher fuel bills.
For more information, see video below.
The Choice Is Yours - Solar Energy Or ?
When people think of solar energy, they envision solar-powered electricity and the large solar panels mounted on roofs. This definitely is one option to consider for using solar energy in your daily life. However, solar energy has expanded so much that you now have many more options for use on a day-to-day basis.
Generate Heat for Hot Water
Solar systems can heat the water in your home to fill your hot-water tank. These tanks must be well-insulated to maintain the hot water temperature once the sun goes down. These systems also typically require a hot-water tank to have a back-up heating system, but the U.S. Department of Energy estimates your cost savings of water-heating bills to be 50 percent to 80 percent. Some fairly inexpensive systems also heat the water in swimming pools.
So Why Go Solar Thermal?
Because, Solar Thermal Energy is the most cost effective solar option for energy generation! People see photovoltaic "PV" systems in the media every day, to the point that "solar" means "solar electric power". Solar thermal has largely missed the media spotlight, and many do not understand some of the key differences that make solar thermal the most cost effective option for energy generation.
Cost of System per Watt
Solar thermal costs less per unit of power than photovoltaics, pure and simple. Today's solar thermal collectors boast maximum efficiencies of up to 80% of the energy of the sunlight being converted directly to heat, while solar photovoltaic systems boast perhaps 14% after de-rating and inverter losses. All things being equal, a "typical" PV system of 3,000W gross rating often costs about $26,000 compared to the cost of a standard solar thermal system of approximately 4,400W costs less than $12,000. Think about it, half a gain the capacity for less than half the price.
Economical Storage
Solar thermal systems store the energy they collect in water or some other medium. This means that heat collected while you are at work is available when you want it, even when the sun goes down. By contrast, a photovoltaic system must rely on batteries to store energy collected during the day, or divert it to load dumps or the local electrical grid. Batteries are expensive and inverters are even more so, and batteries must be periodically replaced and recycled.
Maintenance
Let's face it, solar thermal is easy to understand. There are a few basic components, including the panels, pump, tank, controller and sensors. Solar photovoltaic systems are vastly more complex. Solar thermal systems are simpler and most homeowners can perform maintenance by themselves. Even if repairs are required, simpler systems take less time to inspect and perform repairs on.
Greenhouse Gas Emission Savings
Comparison of the greenhouse gas emission savings of solar water heating versus both natural gas and electric water heating.
Natural Gas Water Heaters
The average family uses 60-80 gallons of hot water each day. A natural gas water heater, which is typically 58% efficient, generates 3,200 pounds of CO2 emissions per year. Solar saves the average household 2/3rds of the fossil fuel energy consumed for water heating, and saves 2,131 pounds of CO2 annually.
Electric Water Heaters
An electric water heater will consume 4,275 KW-h annually to heat the 80 gallons of hot water each day. The solar hot water heater saves at least 2,851 KW-h of this amount. Half of all power plants in the US use coal to generate electricity. By replacing electricity with solar to heat water, you will save 6,272 pounds of CO2 annually. Rising fuel prices shine light on solar energy options
Why rent your energy when you can own it?
Breakdown Of The Average Utility Bill
- 25%-35% for Air Conditioning
- 11% for Heating
- 14% for Cooking
- 14% for Appliances
- 5% for lights
- 20%-35% pays for electricity, oil, or gas used to make domestic hot water.
Investing in solar thermal can cut water heating costs 70 to 100 percent. Solar collectors are installed on rooftops, or on the ground on racks and tilted to catch the sun's energy. They collect heat the way a car does when it sits in a sunny parking lot, even on a cold day. Solar energy is transferred to the solar storage tank, the tank is the bank $$$. It’s very satisfying to get hot water without paying anything, the savings rise as fuel cost rise. There are Federal credits for domestic solar hot water. Apart from environmental benefits solar power is a way to stop paying higher & higher fuel bills.
For more information, see video below.