>>Don wrote:
>> >I am researching solar DHW and am looking for resources. Anyone out there
>> >have any experience with it?
Don, here is a lot of stuff on solar water heating.
Hopefully, some of it is useful.
I would have liked to list several kits or easy ways to begin
but at present custom installations are more common. Due to
low interest some manufactures have gone out of business and
installers are often stuck reworking the marginal systems
from the 60's.
This is sad because solar hot water heating is more
efficient that the more popular solar electric systems.
They have a quicker pay back and can be very reliable.
Our system has been going for ten years with zero maintenance
and is passive so it uses no energy.
Here in the USA several states offer tax credits
for solar hot water. In Oregon this can cut the
cost in half so check it out.
Some web resources (USA):
www.eren.doe.gov/erec/factsheets/solarwatr.html
(good place to begin, has pointers to info.)
www.greenbuilder.com/sourcebook/HeatCool.html
(introductory info. for consumers)
www.fsec.edu/Pubs/EnergyNotes/En-5.htm
(good basic info.)
www.ncsc.ncsc.edu/fact/23body.htm
(do it yourself info.)
www.theenergyguy.com/SolarWaterHeating.html
(FAQ's and basics)
www.cscosolar.com/Solar.htm
(Oregon kit)
http://energy.sourceguides.com/busineses/byGEO/US/byP/solar/sWH/byName/shtml
(product and manufacture listing for USA)
The best source of information is HomePower magazine
which is available on CD's and at: www.homepower.com
Some articles in HP:
HP#63 & 64 Series on "The Gravity siphon solar water heater
HP#58 How to Build & install your own thermosyphon Solar
water heater
HP#42 Solar heating basics
HP#31 Batch solar water heaters
HP#27 Tech Notes (covers solar heating math)
Catalogs with useful information:
www.realgoods.com
www.alt-energy.com
Some things to consider:
1. corrosion and electrolysis of pipes. This problem
plagues many older systems. (solution = knowledge)
2. integration with existing hot water system is
a great way to go. The utility power then becomes
a backup for solar.
jeff
