Thursday, July 12, 2012

Is Now the Time for a New Solar Hot Water System?

The number of solar electricity-producing homeowners in the District of Columbia now reach close to one thousand.  The main reason DC residents have flocked to solar electric was the rebate program that has been available through the DC Department of the Environment.  While solar electric installations have become commonplace and widely discussed, you don't hear too much about solar hot water - until now.  Earlier this year, DC changed the rules of its solar rebate program to include a solar hot water rebate equal to 20% of the system's cost.  Because there are no guarantees this rebate will last beyond 2012, many homeowners are taking a crash course in the basics of solar hot water -- trying to decide whether to get in on the rebate before it disappears.  On June 25th, several Capitol Hill neighbors along with two solar hot water installers put on a city-wide public meeting about solar hot water technology, installation costs and available subsidies.  The meeting marked the first effort by DC Solar United Neighborhoods (DCSUN) to negotiate price discounts for solar hot water installations.  Materials from the meeting are now available at www.dcsun.org.  Below are some highlights, but much more information is available on the website.

To kick off the meeting, I provided some photos of the new solar hot water system that I had installed in May 2012.  Like most solar enthusiasts in the District, I started out with solar electric.  However, I made sure that my contractor left enough room for later installation of solar hot water panels.  I was able to save some money on the solar hot water installation because the mounting supports for my solar electric were pre-designed to also support the solar hot water panels.  I can now check my new (very large) solar hot water tank to see how well the sun is doing -- it has been reading at about 120-140 degrees depending on the time of day.  Goodbye cold showers!  My family loves the new system because I'm not bugging them about saving enough hot water for everyone to shower.  My old (and small) gas powered water tank is still intact as a back-up, but especially in the summer, we won't need to fire that up at all.

Resident Capitol Hill solar guru, Andy Kerr, also had a solar hot water system installed earlier this year.  He has developed a nice presentation explaining the initial cost of his system, the rebates that he was eligible for (the DC rebate, a 30% Federal tax credit and the sale of solar renewable energy credits), and the return on investment that he expects from his system.  Because solar hot water systems need to be sized to the hot water needs you may have, Andy has also developed a spreadsheet allowing you to punch in your own numbers to calculate the economics of solar hot water.  In his case, he paid about $8,500, but with the three rebates, his cost dropped to about $3,000 -- which works out to an 8 year simple payback, and a 7.7% return on investment over 20 years.

Andy's calculations will now get slightly better because DC SUN has developed a partnership with two vendors, Solar Energy Services and Clean Currents.  Both companies are offering additional discounts of between $100 and $400 for homeowners affiliated with DC SUN or local co-op chapters.  For each contract signed with DC SUN members, both companies have generously offered to donate to DC SUN's EmPowerment Fund that helps provide solar grants to low-income families.

Please take a look at the materials on the website and decide for yourself whether solar hot water will be in your future.  As we advised with solar electric installations, it is always good to get multiple bids before jumping into a purchase.  If you are on the fence and need more time, we recommend you put your name on the list for a DC rebate while you are making your decision.  Lastly, please join our listserve from the DC SUN webpage, where you can post questions and help us start a new dialogue on solar thermal.

Mike Barrette

26 comments:

  1. This is certainly one of the most valuable posts. Great tips from beginning till end. Lots of suggestions for me and for people. Superb work

    Solar Installation

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nice work. For anyone with (excess / existing) Income Tax Liability, there is a program that will put about 40% of that in your pocket and the rest into ownership in a solar thermal power generation plant. Ex: If your tax liability is (if you owe) about $14,000 you end up spending $10,500 (going into ownership of solar power equipment) INSTEAD OF paying the $14,000 to the IRS - so you net / save (keep) about $4,000 cash, plus own $10,500 in a solar thermal power plant with expected income down the road. Explained here: powertaxcredit.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yes, its now the time. If you use solar energy properly we will a free electricity.

    contractor edison

    ReplyDelete
  4. Solar hot water service is a new technology added in solar system. By installing it, we will not only lessening the environmental impact through reducing carbon emissions, but it will also helpful in saving money on the basics.
    Solar Installers

    ReplyDelete
  5. I truly like to reading your post. Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a nice information.
    socalsolar inc

    ReplyDelete
  6. solar energy solar energy MBC energy - Let the SUN Shine your life.
    MBC energy is a dedicated division of MB&PCPL. SOLAR POWER, SOLAR WATER HEATER,SOLAR STREET LIGHT, Solar Fencing,
    Solar Garden Light, Solar AC, Swimming Pool System & more solar Products.

    ReplyDelete
  7. solar panel solar panel
    MBC energy - Let the SUN Shine your life. MBC energy is a dedicated division of MB&PCPL. SOLAR POWER, SOLAR WATER HEATER,
    SOLAR STREET LIGHT, Solar Fencing, Solar Garden Light, Solar AC, Swimming Pool System & more solar Products.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have a 3 STAR GAS STORAGE istalled in my home. It maintain the pressure of hot water when needed. Start-up cycle gives zero% water wastage.
    alternative energy kent

    ReplyDelete
  9. I agree, its a high time to implement solar power. It costs less and clean source of power.

    pv panels installation wyoming

    ReplyDelete
  10. So I've been trying to figure out where to get solar energy in Wyoming. Do you know the best way to do that? I'd love some help, thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Solar panels hold a wealth of benefits, both for individuals and for the world at large. Economically, solar panels promise to lower the cost of electrical power. Environmentally, solar panels can give us cleaner power.Thanks for sharing the valuable information.

    New York Solar Installers

    ReplyDelete
  12. Out of the many unique attributes of Desmex Solar System, Bicicleta Electrica remains an important one and is known more for its typical integration service features of all categories from a turnkey renewable energy to rest especially residential and commercial outlets to those applied for large scale roles.
    Get more idea about the projects or features from the initial evaluation stage until the end by logging on to desmexsolar.com where array of information is given and details are highlighted in the very comprehensive manner.  
    The Paneles Solares Transparentes is dealt in a planned way so are the issues related to Energia Eolica for which effective mechanism is brought into use. This website gives comprehensive information about the services to avail besides rest innovative ideas you might seek. Equally are considered other aspects like the need and exploration of Energía Solar system through genuine installation processes.
    Unique features bring wonderful solution for Iluminacion Interior and for all operation and most notably its effective role to maximize system performance for Led or similar such roles for which unique operating system would be needed. Ultimate features keep them apart for the best application and for professional management. It doesn’t matter of what size the project is because Sistemas Termosolares has all required solutions needed.
    Solar System makes everything systematic and it is no more a tough task to evaluate the feasibility assessment for all types of activities from site installations to conducting extensive assessments for the feasibility aspect assessment for which best and authentic system application is recommended.
    Use of Thermosolar is now a common trend for installation to building orientation to all kinds of roles for the mounting and maintaining interconnection standards. Equally is important maintaining network distances and to ensure that an existing energy infrastructure is brought into the right use.

    ReplyDelete
  13. It is good to hear that solar for hot water systems is really picking up in the DC area, and likewise in other parts of the U.S. A hot water heater can really consume a lot of electric each month, and the savings you can realize each year by adding solar panels that are used in conjunction with powering your hot water tank, can really be quite substantial. There are some additional costs associated with this, but it is definitely worth it in the long-term, and rate of return is quite quick too. We install a lot of Solar Panels Florida

    ReplyDelete
  14. You can use solar power systems for getting hot water. It is one of the best ways to reduce energy consumption in the home. Solar hot water systems are generally coupled with a storage tank.
    Solar Panel Melbourne

    ReplyDelete
  15. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I think its a great use of the solar power and the result of continuous improvement in solar technology and will sure beneficial for the people.

    Solar Panels

    ReplyDelete
  17. Excellent Blog! I certainly like the layout and the theme. The information is also excellent and I look forward to coming back again later on.

    Solar Energy Companies

    ReplyDelete
  18. Very informative post. Thanks for sharing it and bringing such things to people’s knowledge. Keep sharing.

    Professional Power Project

    ReplyDelete
  19. This is a really good site post, im delighted I came across it. Ill be back down the track to check out other posts that
    sanpete county tax lien sales auction
    tax forclousures auctions

    ReplyDelete
  20. This is so informative. I am glad to know that a few people has already been using this Solar Hot Water System. I hope many more people will learn about this.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Solar water heating system works on the principle of black body absorption.

    Thanks

    solar water heating system suppliers

    ReplyDelete
  22. Very nice and helpful information has been given in this article. I like the way you explain the things. Keep posting. Thanks..
    solar water pumps south africa

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thanks for sharing valuable information for all people, Solar Installation Quotes will help to get best idea about solar energy.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Solar panels glimmering in the sun are an icon of all that is green. But while generating electricity through photovoltaics is indeed better for the environment than burning fossil fuel. Like wind energy, solar power harnesses nature’s resources and makes use of them to create green energy for everyday consumption. Photovoltaics solar cells (PV technology) and solar heating offer reliable, cost-efficient methods of generating electricity and heat respectively.

    If you want to know more details, visit solar company in Pakistan website.

    ReplyDelete

Followers