Key Benefits to Installing a Solar Hot Water System in the Northwest
- Reduce hot water heating costs by 70% or more on an annual basis
- More than three times as efficient at collecting solar energy than solar electric systems
- Proven flat plate technology that is warranted for 10 Years
- Quality long-lasting components
- Save further with a 30% Federal Tax Credit on both the materials and installation costs (You must demonstrate that the system produces at least 50% of your domestic hot water needs to be eligible)
- Reduces your greenhouse gas emissions
Schuco Flat plate hot water collectors Typical hot water installation Tank with controls Complete Schuco Package
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WESTERN SOLAR'S SCHUCO SOLAR HOT WATER PACKAGE FOR ABOUT $8,785 INSTALLED*
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- Schuco Slim V+, High Efficiendy, Flat PlateSolar Hot Water Collectors - 2 Each
- Flush Mount Alumuminum Roof System
- 75 Gallon Tank with Heat Exchanger and Electric Back-up
- Solar Monitor Station- Wall-Mounted Monitoring of your System
- Differential Temperature Controller and Circulation Pump
- Features Standard 10 Year Warranty on a Closed-loop system that will not freeze!
* After 30% Federal Tax Credit
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How Does it Work?
Hot water heating typically accounts for 15 to 30% of residential energy costs. Solar hot water heaters can supply a large proportion of your domestic hot water needs. Collectors (usually roof-mounted) are used to concentrate solar energy and heat water. There are generally two types of collectors. Flat plate collectors are simple, proven, and cost effective. Evacuated tube collectors are more efficient in other regions of the country, but the cost per heat produced is higher than the flat plate collectors in the Northwest's temperate climate (see "Collector Comparison"). In the Pacific Northwest, with only occasional freezing temperatures, the circulating water typically contains food grade glycol as an antifreeze. A small pump circulates the heated fluid, usually in a closed-loop, through a heat exchanger which transfers the heat to a domestic hot water storage tank. The circulation pump can be powered by a small solar electric panel. When there is not enough solar heat, the tank is heated using electric or gas heat. Solar hot water can also be used with on-demand water heaters and can be linked to radiant space heating systems (see "Solar Space Heating" section). Western Solar's Flat Plate Schuco systems do not require "draining" the systems when it gets cold, and they do not require covering them when it gets to hot due to an included heat expansion tank.
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What does it cost?
Installed costs for a typical two panel system are generally about $11-12,000, but systems are usually eligible for a 30% Federal Tax Credit. For radiant space heating additional panels and heat exchangers are required and costs increase accordingly. To qualify for the Federal Tax Credit, the system must produce 50% or more of the hot water needed by the residence and must use collectors certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation. Payback periods for solar hot water systems are generally about 8-10 years.
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More Information:
U.S. Department of Energy - solar hot water heating
Solar Hot Water Basics