SOLAR WATER HEATING HOT

Solar Water Heating in Commercial Buildings Poised for 20% Yearly Growth, Study Says
April 5, 2011 (Environmental Leader)

"Businesses are increasingly installing solar water heating to help them meet environmental goals and hedge against rising energy prices, according…research and consulting firm AltaTerra Research…[The] U.S. solar water heating market is growing at about 20 percent per year in the commercial sector, a significant acceleration from long-term trends. Power purchase agreements are catching on for commercial solar thermal installations, which bodes well for the development of a robust market…

"…[Solar Water Heating on the Rise] said that solar heating installations lower energy expenditures for most customers. Solar water heating captures about four times as much energy as solar photovoltaic systems, with much less expensive equipment…This results in a lower long-term energy cost before any cash incentives are taken into account."

Schematic of solar hot water heating (click to enlarge)

"Compared with electric water heating, solar heating is often a ‘hands-down winner,’ the study said. But most companies will need tax credits and other incentives to make solar heating competitive with natural gas, particularly for retrofits."

click to enlarge

"The advisability of solar water heating in a given facility depends on several factors…including the amount of hot water used and the amount of energy expended on water compared with other uses. The food service, health care, hospitality and multi-unit housing industries all tend to use large amounts of hot water…Hotels are showing some of the most rapid take-up…Although offices generally use little hot water, solar water heating can be advantageous at business parks and office campuses that include services such as dining and athletic facilities…

"...[A] report released by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and GTM Research projected that the solar water heating segment would achieve its sixth consecutive year of growth in 2010, growing 16 percent with approximately 3 million square feet (mmsf) of installed solar thermal collectors by year-end compared to about 2.6 mmsf in 2009."