According to the US Department of Energy, hot water usage in US homes represents between 15% to 30% of a home’s energy demand. That equals to consumption between 24-42 gallons of hot water per day for an apartment or house, … Continue reading
During the summer of 2013, the state of Minnesota passed a new incentive for commercial and residential solar water heating. However, the program budget is small and it requires components to be made in Minnesota. The good news is that … Continue reading
SEIA, the solar industry’s main trade organization, has released a long-awaited Solar Heating and Cooling Roadmap to installing more solar thermal systems in the U.S. There’s a lot of great information here and a bold vision for a solar thermal … Continue reading
One of the first books on solar energy that I ever read was A Golden Thread: 2500 Years of Solar Architecture and Technology by John Perlin. Below, Perlin is interviewed about the (ancient) history of solar hot water and discusses … Continue reading
Solar thermal systems have recently been shown to be cost-competitive with natural gas for multi-unit housing. As a result, architects and developers are increasingly contacting Free Hot Water to find out if solar water heating systems can be integrated with … Continue reading
Gal Moyal, Free Hot Water’s chief engineer, was recently featured in an article in Solar Power World, but as often happens, only a few of his written answers were used for the final article. But we thought his responses were … Continue reading
One of the best ways to break a few myths about solar hot water is to show how well known icons are installing solar thermal systems. For example: The Seattle Aquarium and the big green Boston Monster itself, Fenway Park. … Continue reading
Intersolar is doing it again. Once again, Intersolar North America, one of the top trade shows for the solar thermal and solar PV industries, is giving away FREE exhibit passes for a limited time. If you’re going to be in … 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
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
