Solar water heating technologies
If you’re looking to reduce the cost of heating water for your home or business, solar water heating is a great solution. With a solar water heating system, you can use the power of the sun to reduce your reliance on traditional heating sources (such as oil, electricity, and natural gas) in favor of an abundant and environmentally friendly energy source – the sun!
Solar hot water systems capture thermal energy from the sun and use it to heat water for your home. Systems can either be passive or active – while passive systems use gravity and natural circulation, active systems use pumps and controls to circulate water.
Payback periods for a solar water heating system vary depending on how you currently heat your water. For example, the payback period for a solar hot water system that replaces natural gas will be longer than one that replaces electricity or gasoline because natural gas is a comparatively less expensive fuel. If you install a solar water heating system on your roof, you can expect 5 to 15 percent annual returns. Plus, using a solar water heating system reduces your emissions and your home’s impact on the environment.
Solar water heating technology has been around since the 1970s. They generally take up less space than the average solar PV system, and many homeowners can fit both solar PV and solar water heating systems on their roof.
