Rows of solar panels lined up on the roof are the common ideas consumers have of clean energy systems, or a group of wind energy generators harvesting electric power from the wind. While these are accurate images of energy sources create energy, most people’s perception of clean energy systems fail to include one of the leading, efficient, and practicable of all alternative energy installations, —namely solar heating tubes. This solar technology is used to provide hot water to homes and commercial buildings.
The applied science behind this form of clean energy are already so far advanced as to be able to produce industrial and commercial applications, as well as domestic ones. There are millions of single-family households and residential buildings that depend on such systems for their supply of hot water and are able to dramatically decrease their electric power expenses. As a matter of fact, China is the leading user of solar heating tubes, and it is estimated that a whopping 30 million residences (which covers apartments or homes) are able to get hot water from their solar heating tubes, at least 60% of the time (or achieve 60% efficiency).
Why 60-70% and not all of their heated water supply? This is really the only “glitch” with clean energy that rely on solar power, and it happens because of the patterns of nature. Keep in mind that, the sun rises and sets each day. This means that the solar heating tubes are only able to operate during peak hours of sunlight, which is generally from around 9 in the morning to 4 or 5 PM. However once the sun sets, it’s as if the energy source of the water heater has been turned-off. And yet, solar heating tubes still attain around sixty percent efficiency because the large storage tanks the system uses can remain hot for several hours after the sun has set. This is the reason why most renewable energy professionals estimate optimal energy savings at the sixty percent level.
How does the 60-70% efficiency level affect the property owner or landlord? For the most part, it means that, they still have to avail some electric power from their utility company or oil, gas, electric provider, to maintain a constant supply of hot water. So what does it mean in terms of money? This will require a longer explanation.
Consider that you will have to purchase the solar heating system and pay the installation costs. This can be significant cash outlay, and most building owners will use the equity in their building to put their equipment purchase on a kind of installment payment agreement, like a second mortgage or business loan to pay for the purchase of the equipment. However, the solar power system is going to start running as soon as it is set-up, which means that electric expenses are going to drop steeply right from the start. This decrease in electric power bills creates financial savings that can be directed to the repayment on the loan for installation. Now here’s where things get really interesting, most systems can be repaid within 2 to 5 years;and after this period the money savings will go straight into the owner’s wallet. From then on, the building can be supplied with hot water at a significantly lower cost.
In addition to the financial savings and short “payback” period for the equipment, there is also a wide array of tax benefits to be enjoyed through such an investment. These too can assist the property owner to make payments on the debt made to purchase the solar technology quickly.
Craig Axelrod is VP of Business Development for Emmy Energy, a NY solar power business installing solar heating tube systems & solar electric systems in the Northeast.
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