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Solar Panels too Expensive? Try Solar Hot Water Heaters Instead.

Posted by Murielle in Science & Technology, Sustainable living, 29 Jan 2010, 2

Solar panels have officially become mainstream: You’ll see them on homes, offices, schools, and so forth. It certainly would be great if everyone could have them. Unfortunately, they are quite unaffordable for most, with costs being around $20,000 or more. Everyone can’t afford that kind of investment, even through credit cards and even if it does pay for itself over time—I know I certainly can’t.

The good news is, there is another way you can use solar power that is much cheaper and still as effective: Solar hot water heaters. No, this will not provide electricity to your home like solar panels do, but it will provide enough energy to heat your water (and a lot cheaper to use than a regular water heater). The US Department of Energy lists 3 options you can use:

• Evacuated-Tube Solar Collectors
  Featuring parallel rows of glass tubes, these tubes also have a glass outer tube and metal absorber tube attached to a fin. The coating on the fin absorbs solar energy and prevents radiative heat loss. This option is best for commercial applications.
• Flat-Plate Collector
  These come with 2 options. Glazed, insulated, weatherproof boxes contain a dark absorber plate under one or more cover (made of glass or plastic). Unglazed collectors have a dark absorber plate made of metal or plastic, without a cover or enclosure, and are typically used for heating pools.
• Integral Collector-Storage Systems (ICS or Batch Systems)
  This option has one or more black tanks or tubes placed within an insulated, glazed box. Cold water goes through the solar collector to be heated. Then it goes into the conventional backup water heater, thus providing a reliable source of hot water. It’s recommended you only use this option in mild-freeze climates, since the outdoor pipes could freeze in extremely cold weather.

Along with the solar panel to collect the energy, you’ll also something to store the water in and a circulation device that will keep it warm. To find out which of these systems is best for your home, you can check out the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation’s evaluations. As for the cost, an average home system ranges between $1,000 and $4,000 plus installation. Needless to say, it’s a lot cheaper than going with the solar panels and it will cut your hot water heating bill by 50-80%.

Oh, and that’s not all. Installing one of these can also get you some nice tax credits. Through the Energy Star program, solar hot water heaters can receive a 30% federal tax credit (with no upper limit). Both existing and newly constructed homes qualify for this, as well as principal residences and second homes; rentals do not qualify at all. There are also state tax credits, but they vary greatly. To find out what your options are, check out this site.

By Heidi Marshall

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Tags: affordable, renewable energy, solar energy, solar hot water heaters, solar panels, solar power, tax credits