Solar Water Heating Systems

Stuart Cooley Energy Efficiency Engineer Energy and Green Building Programs December 9, 2007

Acknowledgement
Kineo Design Group LLC http://www.kineodesign.com/ 2550 9th Street, Suite 204B Berkeley, CA 94710 Josh Plaisted - President phone: 510.459.7970

Acknowledgement
Solar Energy Resource Guide 6th edition, 2005 (published annually) www.norcalsolar.com PO Box 5203 San Jose CA 95150-5203

Agenda
Introduction
Relevance to Solar Santa Monica Program Relevance to you

Solar Thermal basics / glossary Solar Water Heating System Types

Residential Commercial

Economics of Solar Water Heating Systems Economics of Solar Photovoltaic Systems

Relevance to Solar Santa Monica Program

Global Climate Change is driving our need to reduce fossil fuels
Natural Gas used to be considered clean Few other thermal alternatives

Solar Santa Monica inspired by electric potential but ultimately, it will require both solar thermal and solar electric to make a difference

Prevalence in Santa Monica

Solar thermal is a big deal

Relevance to You
You pay electric AND gas bills Gas price volatility is high

Youve heard of PEAK Oil

Get ready for Peak Gas

Get ready for Peak Gas

Florida's Crude Oil Production Since 1970
50 45

40

35 Million Barrels per Year

30

25

20

15

10

Corkscrew Raccoon Point Oil and Gas Fields: Lehigh Park Bear Island Lake Trafford Mid- Felda West Felda Sunoco Felda Sunniland McLellan Blackjack Creek Jay Field

0 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Year

Get ready for Peak Gas

Solar Thermal Basics

Solar Thermal vs. Solar Electric Importance of Source Energy vs. Site Energy Not all energy is created equal
Light Electricity Thermal

Terms to know
Thermal = related to heat (and cold) Therms = 100,000 Btu Btu = British Thermal Unit = heat of one match Btu =Amount of energy to raise one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit

Solar Hot Water System Types

ICS Integral Collector Storage Thermosiphon Active Solar HW Systems
Flat Plate Collector Evacuated Tube Pool

Direct vs. Indirect Systems

ICS Integral Collector Storage

Thermosiphon

Active Solar HW Systems Flat Plate Collector

Active Solar HW Systems Evacuated Tube Collector

Active Solar HW Systems Pool Collector

Direct vs. Indirect Systems

Indirect heating means what passes through collectors does not pass through the end-use
Glycol systems for freeze protection Water quality preserved; easier maintenance

Direct vs. Indirect

Solar Water Heating Sizing Residential

40 sq. ft. per person 1.5 x collector square feet is storage size in gallons Cost is $3,000 to $6,000 per person or $2,000 per unit (multi-family) Unlike solar electric will unlikely bring your bill to zero. Design for 80%. Savings: 80% of gas used for water heating (NOT of bill gas has other uses)

Solar Economics: Part 1

Savings = Therms saved per year (produced) X cost per therm ($1.00 to $1.50 per therm, and volatile with season) No worries of time of use Season of use is important

Gas Price Volatility

Solar Economics: Part II

No rebates (yet!) Solar Tax Credit is available $2,000 max Commercial tax credit 30% !!! Savings depend on cost of gas

Super Solar
Q: What solar do I get? A: Both! Cost effective over long term Rebates make it better Either way, do your homework.

It is best to start early before prices increase

ThankYou
Stuart Cooley 310-458-2238 stuart.cooley@smgov.net