Solar Water Heater
Solar water heaters are one of the most efficient and quickest-payback renewable energy items in which a homeowner can invest.
And if you have your system in service by Dec 31, 2008 you might even be able to take advantage of the generous US Federal Tax Credit (30% up to $2000 in credit).
Solar hot water is generated by installing solar panels through which water or another fluid travels in order to be heated between 90 degress, 150 degress or more. These are not PV solar panels which generate electricity, these are solar panels for heating water.
Photo (NREL/Pix) Credit: Alan Ford
Lessons Learned & A Word of Warning
Better designs and Professional Installation
The new designs (this century) are improved based on the lessons learned 30 years ago during the first solar boom. These designs are meant to be installed by knowlegable installers for long-lasting service.
Below you'll find resources about water heater systems and those companies that either manufacture or install them.
Solar Hot Water - Renewable Energy Source Resources
Renewable Energy Source Resources
Solar hot water is one of the most effective ways to make your first steps toward taking advantage of renewable energy. Not only can sun-heated water work in all regions of the USA (vacuum evacuated tubes for colder regions) for heating water to use in everyday applications, but now solar heated water can provide radiant home heating even in cooler or colder months.
Compliance Certificate
Looking for Title 24 Compliance Certificate (CF-1R more...1 point
Sun Spot Solar & Heating
Sun Spot Solar & Heating, Inc is engag more...0 points
SOL-RELIANT The Solar Water Heater Built to Last
Save energy and money. Heat your water with the su more...0 points
TCT Solar - Solar Water Heaters
Solar Thermal Solutions, Featuring ProgressivTube more...0 points
Welcome to The LeverEdge
The LeverEdge is an industry leading manufacturer more...0 points
www.viessmann-us.com
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Butler Sun Solutions -- solar assisted hot water tank system, solar heat exchange wand, solar heated spa, solar cooking system
A complete solar assisted hot water tank system, f more...0 points
Solar Water Heater, Solar Hot Water, Solar Hot Water Heater, Solar Heating, Solar Collector by Apricus
Apricus Solar Water Heater Manufacturer of solar w more...0 points
SunEarth Solar Thermal Products
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Solahart - Start Page
World leading Solar Hot Water Heater manufacturer, more...0 points
Distributors of Multiple Renewable Energy Types - Solar Heater Water, plus Wind, Solar, and Hydro Power
Renewable Energy Source Resources
Distributors of wind, solar, and water goods and services often provide a one-stop for the consumer. You might see advantages of using one source for complimentary systems, instead of using multiple distributors for each niche (one for solar, one for wind, one for microhyrdo, one for water heat).
www.zapsucker.com
Advance installs quality low cost Utility Interfac more...0 points
Welcome to the NEW earthsolar.com! The online home of the Earth Solar Group
Earth Solar offers the best pricing on alternative more...0 points
Wholesale Solar Panels, Home Power Inverters, Wind Power Generators, Charge Controllers, Solar Trackers, Solar Batteries for Home Solar Power
Solar panels, wind generators, inverters, wholesal more...0 points
Solar energy products, solar systems, and wind electricity
Manufacturer and distributor of solar energy produ more...0 points
Solar for Taos New Mexico and Beyond from SolarRay
Solar energy systems for Taos, New Mexico, the Sou more...0 points
www.siliconsolar.com
Silicon Solar offers the world's largest selection more...0 points
Solectria Renewables LLC Homepage
Solectria Renewables designs and manufactures clea more...0 points
Schüco International
Schüco International - Ihr Partner für Fenster, more...0 points
Sun Electronics - Solar Panels at the Best Prices
The best prices in the Alternative Energy Industy. more...0 points
Radiant Solar Technology - PV/WIND/Micro Hydro OFF-GRID Power
Radiant Solar Technology - Solar Electric Power0 points
AEE Solar - Wholesale Solar Panels, Renewable Energy & Solar Power Systems, and Solar Energy Equipment
AEE Solar is a leading wholesale distributor of so more...0 points
www.conergy.us
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Kyocera | Products | Kyocera Solar Energy
Kyocera Solar Inc, home page contains all necessar more...0 points
www.psnw.com/~ofln
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Alternative & Renewable Energy - ABS Alaskan
Say goodbye to black-outs, or enjoy the convenienc more...0 points
Electricity from the sun since 1
Solar electric systems, PV panels, battery systems more...0 points
Welcome to OTHERPOWER.COM
OTHERPOWER.COM - A resource of information and mat more...0 points
Solar Electric Systems
Northern Arizona Wind & Sun solar electric more...0 points
Energy Outfitters - Renewable Power Products & Systems for a Sustainable Future
Energy Outfitters specializes in small to medium s more...0 points
ECS Solar Energy Systems, Inc
FW 8 DW 8 HTML0 points
www.altenergystore.com
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Renewable Energy Equipment Solutions
Why not use Free Energy? Energy Wise Solutions off more...0 points
Jayhawk International Ltd - Renewable Energy Solutions
Jayhawk International Ltd are specialists in solar more...0 points
www.gridpoint.com
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Backwoods Solar Electric Systems
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Welcome to Magnetek Alternative Energy
Harvest More Green with Magnetek0 points
Educational Resources - Discover More About Renewable Energy Sources
Renewable Energy Source Resources
Learn more about renewable energy sources and how they work, how they should be designed and implemented.
Renewable Energy Program
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NC Wind Energy - NC Wind Energy - Home Page
Educational resources0 points
SEI: Welcome to Solar Energy International
Solar Energy International offers hands-on worksho more...0 points
www.solar-on-line.org
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News | Cob Cottage Company
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Non-Profit Organizations Promoting Renewable Energy Sources and Resources
Renewable Energy Source Resources
Groups that inform, advocate, organize, and promote renewable energy sources, resource, lifestyles, events, and more!
Midwest Renewable Energy Association
Midwest Renewable Energy Association0 points
Welcome to IRENEW!
I-Renew is a non-profit organization,
founded in 1 more...0 points
American Solar Energy Society
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Illinois Renewable Energy Assocation
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Oregon Solar Industry - Home
Oregon solar industry, contractors, and consumer i more...0 points
The Pennsylvania Renewable Energy Festival
Pennsylvania Festival: The goal of the Pennsylvani more...0 points
Electric Auto Association - Electric Vehicles and Cars
Electric Auto Association - a 501(c)(3) nonprofit more...0 points
NABCEP : North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners
Offers national, credentialing and certifications more...0 points
Events - Focusing on Renewable Energy Sources and Resources
Renewable Energy Source Events Resource
A list of annual events nationwide (primarily USA) promoting renewable energy knowledge, lifestyles, technology, and other related information.
www.solarfest.org
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www.ncenergy.org
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Sustainable Living Fair
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Renewable Energy Roundup and Green Living Fair
The 8th Annual Renewable Energy Roundup and Green more...0 points
West Coast Green
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www.solfest.org
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Oregon Solwest Renewable Energy Resources and Fairs home
The Eastern Oregon Renewable Energy Association pr more...0 points
Solar Heated Water in the News
Fetching RSS feed... please stand bySolar Hot Water on Amazon
Solar Water Heating: A Comprehensive Guide to Solar Water and Space Heating Systems (Mother Earth News Wiser Living Series)
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 05/17/2008)
Solar Engineering of Thermal Processes
Amazon Price: $108.00 (as of 05/17/2008)
Planning and Installing Solar Thermal Systems: A Guide for Installers, Architects and Engineers (Planning and Installing)
Amazon Price: $110.00 (as of 05/17/2008)
Heat Your Home with Solar Hot Water?
It's not just for the dishwasher, shower, and laundry anymore!
However, now it's easier than ever before parlay that hot water into heating your home. It's often used by radiant hot water heating systems.
One home I recently toured, had removed everything from their basement floor, laid out tubing in 'zones' to be heated on top of their existing basement floor, tied the tubing into a manifold that controlled hot water floor for each zone, and had professionals pour Gyp-Crete over the tubes.
Yes, it raise dthe floor to an inch or so higher than it had been before, but the family could now heat their home during the winter from solar hot water using their evacuated tube solar collectors.
Since heat rises, the heat from the floor heated not only their basement, but also rose and heated the basement ceiling, which in turn heated the upstairs floor.
Although I don't know if this addition of radiant heat via solar hot water qualifies as part of the US Federal Tax Credit, it's still a good addition onto leverage the systems to which the Tax Credits actually apply. It's leveraging work you're already doing.

