Is solar thermal now cost-competitive with natural gas heating and hot water for apartment buildings? As Free Hot Water recently found out, the answer is… yes! One of Free Hot Water’s new clients, Barak Jolish, a San Francisco building developer, … Continue reading
If you’re a solar thermal installer or a business or homeowner that has installed a solar hot water system in 2012, then you no doubt know that you’re eligible for the Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), which provides a 30% … Continue reading
Many California vineyards today are using solar PV (electric) panels to offset the electricity used in their vineyard and tourist operations. Mainly, wineries use solar PV panels to reduce the cost of their water irrigation operations. These powerful pumps use … Continue reading
There are many industrial uses for solar thermal technology, and one of the most cost-effective solar hot water applications is the dairy farm. Dairy farms are often located in rural areas where gas lines don’t reach. As a result, all … Continue reading
When people think of solar thermal systems, they often think of hot, sunny climates like California and Arizona. But the truth is that solar thermal works in cold climates too—including Massachusetts, where commercial businesses like hotels and motels can receive … Continue reading
On a recent winter trip to New York City, I was eager to find images of solar thermal and to seeing many of the city’s apartment building rooftops taking advantage of solar hot water. Solar thermal applications in New York … Continue reading
The slow growth in solar thermal in the United States compared to solar PV is not due to solar hot water technology, but to three core challenges The lack of public awareness and education about solar hot water The lack … Continue reading
New York, NY, a heck of a state for solar hot water, especially if you want to replace your electric water heater with a solar thermal system. Electric water heaters are inefficient and costly compared to heating water with natural … Continue reading
Learn about new California solar hot water incentives, and becoming a Certified Free Hot Water Installer at this info session for consumers and installers. Residential solar hot water rebates in California have recently gone up by 45%, making this the … Continue reading
The City of Palo Alto’s municipal utility has followed through and essentially matched the solar hot water rebate amounts under California’s CSI Thermal program. Home to Stanford University and the heart of Silicon Valley, the utility is following the lead … Continue reading
