Question:
I live in the central coast area of California, where we are being hit with huge increases in our electricity and natural gas bills, particularly the gas. I used to read about solar water heat systems in Rodale’s New Shelter magazine, way back during the last national energy crisis and the apparent heyday of alternative energy. I’d like to consider installing a solar thermal system to reduce my water heating cost, but I’m surprised to find that there aren’t many resources to turn to in my area. Has solar thermal proven to be non cost-effective in the long run? I know that my neighbor has one of the older systems, and it doesn’t seem to be very reliable. I’d be interested in a simple install and forget it system (one such would appear to be the Fireball 2001). Am I expecting too much from this technology? Thanks in advance for your help! -Kevin
Response:
It is worthwhile doing, and "New Shelter" had one of the best systems I’ve found. See it at http://www.webconx.com/2000/solar/solar.htm — Steve Spence Subscribe to the Renewable Energy Newsletter: http://www.webconx.com/subscribe.htm Renewable Energy Pages – http://www.webconx.com Palm Pilot Pages – http://www.webconx.com/palm X10 Home Automation – http://www.webconx.com/x10 (212) 894-3704 x3154 – voicemail/fax It is not money or dreams that will sustain you, but practical knowledge about the basic systems that sustain you. — – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I live in the central coast area of California, where we are being hit > with huge increases in our electricity and natural gas bills, > particularly the gas. I used to read about solar water heat systems in > Rodale’s New Shelter magazine, way back during the last national energy > crisis and the apparent heyday of alternative energy. I’d like to > consider installing a solar thermal system to reduce my water heating > cost, but I’m surprised to find that there aren’t many resources to turn > to in my area. Has solar thermal proven to be non cost-effective in the > long run? I know that my neighbor has one of the older systems, and it > doesn’t seem to be very reliable. I’d be interested in a simple install > and forget it system (one such would appear to be the Fireball 2001). > Am I expecting too much from this technology? Thanks in advance for > your help! > -Kevin
Response:
Hi Kevin, I’m about where you are at looking at solar water heating, so can’t make any real recommendations here. That doesn’t stop me from commenting, though… ;-) Please see below. Regards, George Estep > Has solar thermal proven to be non cost-effective in the > long run?
On the contrary, I think it has proven to be cost-effective. > I know that my neighbor has one of the older systems, and it > doesn’t seem to be very reliable.
I think you’ve just hit the nail on the head. This is one thing that really has hurt the solar water heating industry. > I’d be interested in a simple install > and forget it system (one such would appear to be the Fireball 2001).
You and me and most Americans, I suspect. > Am I expecting too much from this technology?
Not at all! I see similar problems with this technology as well as photovoltaics. The systems have not yet been engineered to be simple to install and operate. Many of the manufacturers and installers that are out there are not well-versed in the engineering that is involved with this technology, often using incorrect units and making statements which are simply wrong. This has gone a long way toward confusing the public and giving the whole industry a bad reputation. In addition, PV has also been saddled with high initial costs. I think this is changing, but slowly. Eventually, I expect that a builder will be able to give a homeowner the choice between conventional water heating and a solar system. As long as he has access to a reliable subcontractor which he can trust, this should be workable. The big hangup is that the solar system will have higher up-front costs. Unfortunately, many Americans (and some on these forums) cannot see past the up front costs to see the many other benefits of harvesting your own energy from the sun. Can you please post the URL for the Fireball 2001? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Thanks in advance for > your help! > -Kevin
Response:
> Can you please post the URL for the Fireball 2001?
http://www.solarroofs.com/
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