Solar hot water system started!

[woodlot]

Ah, I'm begining to understand better. I'm very interested in this project. The price of energy has skyrocketed! No end in sight.

How long untill the cost of the system will offset the savings in energy cost. (how long till the system pays for itsself?)

Are you using a "normally open" aquastat at or within the solar panel to controll power to the circ. pump? What temp is that set at?

How many gallons of PEG are used to fill the system? How do you deal with thermal expansion of the PEG? Is the system pressurized?

 

[Doc_Bob]

I take it the glycol method is more efficient for heating water than using electric solar panels to power the electric element?? Just curious on the reasons for glycol vs. electric... Interesting stuff though.

PV panels cost mucho $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$, price a 5 KW system and then have a heart attack. Converting electricity into heat wastes so much power. Ask anyone with an electric water heater or electric space heater.

Now, a glycol based SDHW is very efficient. The only way to fly!!!!!!!!!
Bob

 

[jrm223]

Thanks for the info

 

[scesnick]

I have been looking into this pretty heavy for a few months now. I have a wood/coal/ boiler with oil backup in my garage that I heat my domestic water with in the winter but in the summer the water is heated by good ol' electricity.
Where did you get this system from? do they have a website? And I know it is considered rude to ask about prices, but I can not seem to get a good answer from people I email about SHW, But roughly how much did this sytem run> Thanks a million.

 

[Doc_Bob]

All three panels now installed with some piping.


Bob

 

[Doc_Bob]

Where did you get this system from? do they have a website? And I know it is considered rude to ask about prices, but I can not seem to get a good answer from people I email about SHW, But roughly how much did this system run> Thanks a million.

focus on energy for Wisconsin

http://www.focusonenergy.com/page.jsp?pageId=904

Once the installation is done, I get 2500 dollars cash from FOE.
Then, I get 1900 federal tax credits. Assuming you pay 30% tax rate that is the same as not being taxed on ~ 6000 dollars.

Price of system installed, 7900.

So, 7900-2500 cash=5400 - 6000 =-600.

The system is essentially free. This does not include any benefits such as 100% of my hot water no natural gas burned. I may also get some heat from my system for my radiant hydronic system that will heat my living room (which is 500 sq feet). So, all excess hot water will be used not just for showers, washing machine, dish washing, etc., but for heating. On a sunny day in February, lots of excess heat will be generated.


The system is overbuilt. It was designed to provide hot water for 6 people. I only have 2 people using hot water. I asked for a 3 panel system since it would maximize my FOE rebate and my federal tax credit. A four panel system would not have resulted in any more rebates or Federal tax credit. So, I chose the biggest system I could get for no money. In other words, I built the system based upon maximum rebates and tax credit, not based upon how much of a system I would need for hot water. It just happened that I got a system 3x bigger than I needed for hot water. So now I have free heat for the part of the house.

I did have to put up 7900 dollars for 6 months before I "get it back" in a rebate check and federal tax credit. I realized it was the best investment I could think of for 7900 dollars. A free SDHW system that will last 20 years, with free hot water and free heat for 500 sq ft of my 1700 sq ft house. For me it was a no brainer.

Sunny days in Wisconsin in the winter tend to be the colder days. Snowy days (cloudy) tend to be the warmer days.

Sun=free heat and free hot water.

Also, the SDHW is a great ego booster. I am doing something for the planet and making money in the process. Unlike hybrid vehicles (which make no financial sense at this time) this SDHW system makes sense.

Bob

PS And the cost of renewable energy ********* cannot be used to increase the assessed value of your home. That is just icing on the money cake. In ten years when I sell this place, I will get more money for the free SDHW system on my roof. And my property taxes will not increase!!! Can you beat that????

 

[Doc_Bob]

Where did you get this system from? do they have a website?

I did a search for renewable energy in maryland.

http://www.energy.state.md.us/programs/renewable/solargrant/index.html

These sites can send you to installers in your area. Takes some searching.

http://www.solarenergy.org/resources/links.html

http://www.homepower.com/

http://www.solarenergy.org/index.html

Hope this helps.
Bob

 

[Doc_Bob]

How long untill the cost of the system will offset the savings in energy cost. (how long till the system pays for itsself?)

Are you using a "normally open" aquastat at or within the solar panel to controll power to the circ. pump? What temp is that set at?

How many gallons of PEG are used to fill the system? How do you deal with thermal expansion of the PEG? Is the system pressurized?

It will pay for itself day one. See prior post on financial aspect.

Pump is AC, not sure when it pumps. Something like 10 degree difference. I will ask.

Not sure on how much PEG. 5 gallons???? PEG is cheap. there is an expansion tank. Just like any system with a boiler. I will take a picture.

Bob

 

[woodlot]

Thanks Bob. However, something does not make sense to me, I think your math is a bit off. A $1900 federal tax credit does not give you an extra 6,000 in your pocket at end of the year. It reduces your federal tax by $1,900, which in turn, increases your net take home income by exactly 1,900.

You will still incur a net out of pocket expense of $3,500 for your system. Not that that is unreasonable, you will recoup that investment in the form of energy savings. I'm wondering how long that will take? 3-5 years?

I'd like to see the pic of the set-up within the house; showing the circ. pump, anti-syphon, expansion tank, etc. Are you using a heat exchanger external to the HW heater, or did you invest in an indirect HW heater (heat exchanger contained within the tank)?

 

[bloody_peasant]

Thanks Doc! This is awesome, I've been doing some research on renewable energy sources for a while, but still haven't pulled the plug. You may have just inspired me to get started and with the prices of propane on the rise, I have even more inspiration .

Sadly NC's credit for water heating is a max of $1400 though , although if you go all out for the full solar experience you can get up to 10,500 in credit.