Solar Hot Water
Our collectors are certified by the SRCC and are eligible for both Federal and State income tax credits. (www.solar-rating.org/)
30% Federal Tax Credit with no $$cap. You can credit the entire cost of installing a SHW system for domestic hot water. (Sorry no swimming pools).
NEW WV 30% Solar Tax Credit has a $2000 cap, but the credit can roll over.
Our SHW Systems
All systems include:
Evacuated Tube collector arrays and stainless steel mounting frame; quality insulated pumping station; integrated controller, fill valves, pump, airtrap checkvalve, temperature gauges, and safety valve; High temp/pressure expansion tank; up to 50 feet of high performance insulated line-set tubes; an outside heat dump system; glass lined SHW tank with 4500 watt electric backup element and built in heat exchanger.
Misc fittings, copper pipe, and extra insulation is a variable based on site requirements.
Stainless steel SHW tanks are an option.
Professional installation is variable based on options and existing infrastructure conditions.
Prices are an average installed cost, and can be quoted to site conditions and options prior to purchase. Examples show WV 30% state tax credit capping at $2000, other states may vary.
40 Gallon System
Produces 40 gallons per day annual average. Evacuated 8 tube collector array, 50 gallon glass lined solar hot water tank and built in heat exchanger. Sized for 2 persons.
- 18000 BTU on a warm sunny day
- 15000 BTU on a cold sunny day
- up to 6900 Btu on a cold cloudy day
- System base price $6663 installed. (average installation)
- Fed credit $1998
- WV credit $1998
- Final cost $2667 plus WV sales tax
80 Gallon System
Produces 80 gallons per day annual average. Evacuated 16 tube collector array, 80 gallon glass lined solar hot water tank. Extra heat dump capacity. Sized for 4 persons.
- 35000 BTU on a warm sunny day
- 30000 BTU on a cold sunny day
- up to 13800 Btu on a cold cloudy day
- System base price $8183 installed.
- Fed credit $2454
- WV credit $2000
- Final cost $3729 plus WV sales tax
SHW Pump Station automatically dumps excess heat, and provides information about system performance.
Domestic SHW Technology
Our evacuated tube collectors borosilicate glass tubes about 4″ in diameter by 75″ long. Inside, a heatpipe conducts the collected heat to the solar loop manifold where the working fluid flows.
Evacuated tube collectors perform well year round down to 0 , even on cloudy days; unlike flat panel technology (only good down to 50 ).
The solar loop is closed and pressurized. It is isolated from your hot water by a heat exchanger in the solar hot water tank. Our corn glycol working fluid is non toxic and more biodegradable than petroleum based ethylene glycol. It performs better in heat transfer and is longer lasting. A specially designed line-set of dual stainless steel tubes and UV resistant insulation carries the glycol to and from the collector. (protected from freezing to 40 below).
The hot water tank is especially designed for solar, with high performance insulation and a built in heat exchanger. It can hold water at up to 185 . A mixing valve delivers usable hot water at a reasonable temperature.
Systems feature a Caleffi pump station with integrated electronic controller, which manages the collected heat. When the tank limit is reached a diverter valve opens and sends excess heat outside to heat dump fintubes, then back to the tank. This continues until the tank temperature drops from hot water use or the sun diminishes.
In the event you use extra hot water, or if its been cloudy for several days, a conventional 4500 watt electric element maintains a low but useable temperature.
