Going to Solar Power by Taking the First Affordable Step

A solar water heater does not actually convert the sunlight to electricity as most solar devices do.  Instead water is passed through a system of carbon tubing where it is heated.  The sunlight is absorbed by the black carbon, and that heats the carbon tubing.  The water inside the panels is heated by conduction from the panel.  So, the sunlight is converted to heat energy, which is then transferred to the water.

I recommend a hybrid system.  In the hybrid system the heated water is fed into your current hot water heater’s tank.  This reduces the amount of energy needed to heat the water in the tank to the desired temperature.

The hybrid system saves energy, mostly when the sun shines on the carbon.  So it is necessary to place the panels in a place where the sunlight will reach, and at an optimum angle to maximize the amount of sunlight converted to heat.  But, when the sun does not shine on a rainy day or at night the current heat source, whether it is electricity or gas, will keep your hot water supply available.

Another advantage of a hybrid system is the panels can be disconnected and taken indoors if there is a danger of damage from a freeze.  Some units come with freeze protection.  

Note some models are not compatible with certain water heaters.

The attic fan is an important appliance in reducing your energy consumption.  It takes hot air that can reach some rather high temperatures out of your attic during hot, summer days.  And, it provides limited access to your attic for cold air to enter in the winter.  So, having a properly operating attic fan during the daylight hours in the summer can reduce the heat coming into your home through the ceiling.  And attic heat making the ducts carrying air from our air conditioner less efficient.

Installing a solar attic fan with its own small solar panel will eliminate commercial energy that otherwise would be needed to operate an attic fan.  I recommend making certain it is not installed in an area where a tree or other obstruction blocks the sunlight part of the day.  And, do not allow the placement to be on a side of the roof that slopes away from the sun during most of the day.

Security lights can be placed around your home and not use commercial power.  Choose solar lighting, which consists of a small solar panel and rechargeable batteries.  The requirement is the solar panel must be installed where it received adequate sunlight to recharge the batteries.  Some models incorporate a motion sensor that will allow the batteries to remain charged through the night.  The lights come on only when motion is detected.

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