Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are solar water heating systems the same as solar electric (photovoltaic or "PV") systems? A: Not really. Both types of systems use rooftop-mounted panels to convert the sun's rays into a useful energy source for home or business, but they differ in significant ways:
1) Solar water heating panels simply heat water (like leaving a black-colored pot full of water out in the sun), while the panels in solar electrical systems contain photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight into electricity.
2) Solar water heating systems store heated water in a tank for later use, while solar electrical systems require a complicated battery storage system or "net metering" connection with the electrical power grid to store generated electricity.
3) Solar water heating systems are about four times more efficient than photovoltaic systems, so the cost is much less to harness the same amount of solar energy.
Q: How much does a solar water heating system cost? A: For a home, domestic water heating systems usually cost from $5,000 to $6,000 depending on the layout of the home and configuration of the current water heater and piping (this does not include federal and state tax incentives). For pool heating or commercial installations, the cost will vary depending on size and complexity of the system required.
A: There are multiple advantages:
1) Solar water heating is the easiest and least expensive way to invest in renewable energy for your home or business.
2) According to the Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory, South Texas is rated as "Very Good" for solar water heating.
3) Solar water heating will save you money!
Source: "Go Solar for Free Hot Water", Mother
Earth News magazine, February/March 2007
Q: What are some other ways to estimate how much I can save by going solar? A: Articles in
Solar Today magazine (
http://www.ases.org) provide some other ways to estimate savings:
1) Fall 2008 issue of Solar Today magazine - "At today's energy prices, over the life of the system, the cost is 20% lower than a conventional gas water heater and 40% lower than a conventional electric water heater. As gas and electricity prices rise, domestic solar water heating will look like a better and better deal."
2) November/December 2008 issue of Solar Today magazine - "A 40 square-foot solar water-heating system delivers about 1,400 watts of thermal energy for about eight hours a day. That, as mentioned, is enough to meet about 60% of water-heating needs for a family of four." Thus, the active system made by Techsun Solar that has 53 square-feet of collector area will meet about 79% of the water heating needs for a family of four.