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Sun Volt Solar

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Clean Energy, Clean Environment

We are at a cross roads in human history, we can choose to continue on as we have been, or we can make a change to improve our future and quite possibly the future for several generations to come. We are here to promote energy independence, a better environment, a secure future and a higher return on investment for your hard earned dollar. It is what I believe in, it is why I am in the solar business.

Solar Domestic Hot Water Systems

27 Aug 07 | Environment, Solar Hot Water

One of the more interesting things about this project is the basic engineering research involved. In order to understand the Solar Business, you have to understand how solar works and what it can do for your customers. If you know what you are talking about, selling solar systems to customers will be easier.

The one thing that most solar companies seem to be ignoring is Solar Domestic How Water (SDHW) systems. SDHW systems have been around since at least the 1920’s or 30’s. They were once very popular in Florida, where a small solar hot water panel can provide ample hot water for the average household. They’re also very popular overseas in southern Europe and the middle east.

Even though the technology is not new, there have been many improvements over the last 10 years or so. To begin with, low iron glass has become readily available. Low iron glass increases the efficiency of the solar collector because more energy can make it through the glazing to strike the absorber plate. Also, better absorber coatings are now available. Up until about 20 years ago or so, most absorbers were coated with black stove paint. Today all manufactures use solar selective coatings which increase the amount of thermal energy collected and transfered to the Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF). Finally, better poly-isocyanurate insulation material is available for the back and sides of the solar collector to reduce losses.

All of these things mean that today’s solar thermal panels are more efficient than older designs. Better yet, solar thermal technology on the whole is much more efficient than photovoltaics. On average, a photovoltaic panel has an efficiency between 9-14 percent. This tends to decrease with age. Flat plate collectors average over 60 percent efficiency when the temperatures are above 45 degrees F, and can be as high as 80 percent. Given the increased efficiency for the same surface area, solar thermal has a greater potential to save energy than photovoltiacs.

Even in higher latitude locations and colder climates, flat plate solar thermal collectors can generate sufficient energy to take care of 70-80 percent of the hot water needs for any given home.

Of course, in colder climates, SDHW systems have to be properly designed and installed to prevent freeze damage.

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27 Aug 07 | Environment, Solar Hot Water | Comments (0)