When evaluating a site for a solar heating or photovoltaic installation, there are many features of the site to take into account. The latitude and longitude establish the sun’s path. The orientation of the collector array, the tilt and azimuth, defines the field of view of the sun. Shading from obstructions, such as trees and buildings, decreases exposure to the sun’s radiation. Local and regional weather patterns also must be taken into consideration.

Solar site evaluation tools use these factors in determining the best location for optimum solar exposure. Three of the leading solar site evaluation tools used by the solar energy industry are Solar Pathfinder, Acme Solar Site Evaluation Tool and Solmetric SunEye.

Solar Pathfinder includes a transparent plastic dome, instrument platform, base section, tripod legs and paper sunpath diagrams and is easy to quickly assemble. Solar Pathfinder Assistant software is also available for use in conjunction with the Solar Pathfinder unit. The sunpath diagram for the specific latitude of the site is placed on the instrument platform and under the plastic dome. Looking down onto the dome, the site evaluator can see a panoramic view of the site reflected on the surface of the dome. Since this view is a reflection instead of actual shadows, the Solar Pathfinder can be used anytime of day in any type of weather. Any obstructions to the sun’s rays are visible in the reflection. Openings in the side of the plastic dome permit the evaluator to trace the outline of the obstructions on the sunpath diagram, thereby indicating what areas of the site will be shaded. A digital photograph may also be taken and uploaded into the Solar Pathfinder Assistant software program. The software identifies the shading patterns, merges them with solar radiation data and local weather records (from the National Renewal Energy Laboratory) and mathematically calculates the potential percentage of solar radiation of the site.

Acme Solar Site Evaluation Tool, also known as ASSET, consists of a precise positioning system, a digital camera, and accompanying software. After the site evaluator levels the positioning system, the digital camera will take a set of photographs from nine positions. The software will then generate a composite panoramic photograph and add an overlay of the path of the sun. Using the historical solar radiation and weather of the site (from the National Renewal Energy Laboratory), the software will perform a shading analysis of the photograph and determine the quantity of solar radiation that can be predicted.

Solmetric SunEye is an integrated hand held electronic device and includes a touch screen interface, a fish-eye lens, a digital camera and measurement software. The digital camera automatically photographs a panoramic view of the entire horizon, identifying the obstructions. The site location’s sunpaths are created. After taking past regional weather into account, the Solmetric SunEye will generate reports and bar charts showing shading percentages and expected solar exposure of the site.

Which one of these solar site evaluation tools is the best? The Solar Pathfinder is the only one requiring assembly, which may be inconvenient for the site evaluator. It also may not be as accurate since site evaluators may not always position their digital cameras in the precise location over the plastic dome. The Solar Pathfinder does, however, have the advantage of being able to be used during any time of day or weather. The Solmetric SunEye, being a hand held device, may lack the stability of a stationary device and possibly not be as accurate. In addition, the weather data used is regional, not local to the site, and is not acquired from the National Renewal Energy Laboratory. The Solar Site Evaluation Tool seems to be the most convenient of the three for the site evaluator, although the quality of the photos may be compromised by sun and weather conditions. However, it is perhaps the most accurate of the three evaluation tools.

The costs for these units varies tremendously.  The Suneye is the most expensive coming in around $1,300.  The asset at just over $500 and the Pathfinder at around $300.  Each of the tools can do the job well but the only question is how easily they do the job.  If you are looking for gee whiz then the Suneye has it.  If you are just looking to get the job done professionally I would recommend the pathfinder with your own digital camera.

While solar site evaluation tools determine the best location for the solar collectors used in a solar heating or photovoltaic installation, solar simulation software provides the software tools to help design and simulate a solar energy installation and facilitates the design making process.

Three leading companies that offer solar simulation software packages to those in the renewable energy fields are RETScreen International, Vela Solaris AG and Valentin Energy Software.

At the onset of a new renewable energy project, each one of the three companies’ software package allows the user to input information regarding the site’s location and define the energy requirements for the project. The user may then select a template or configuration from the software’s database, and in addition, may select specific commercially available products to be used. The software will generate the simulation evaluation which will include financial feasibility and potential cost savings, calculation of weather data, energy production, expected energy savings and emission reductions of the project.

RETScreen International developed their Clean Energy Project Analysis Software with the input of experts from government, industry and academia from around the world. RETscreen is applicable to various categories of renewable energy, not just solar energy. The software consists of a series of worksheets to be filled in by the user, along with a comprehensive database that is the largest and most detailed of the three software packages. The user may omit any of the worksheets that do not apply to their project. It is suitable for large commercial and governmental projects, although it may also be used with smaller residential undertakings. RETscreen software may be downloaded free from their website.

Polysun Simulation Software was developed by Vela Solaris AG, a Swiss corporation. Polysun Simulation Software is a set of four software programs specifically created for the design of heat pumps, solar thermal, photovoltaic and cooling systems. Each software program is available separately or as a complete set of four. In addition, each program is offered in three user levels, light, professional and designer. The evaluation process provides detailed reports in PDF format, including colorful graphics, and is a significant feature of this software. A Polysun demo copy may be downloaded for examination on the Vela Solaris AG website. Polysun is also available for purchase on the site.

Valentin Energy Software, based in Berlin, Germany, offers two solar energy simulation programs. Their T’SOL software was conceived for solar thermal energy systems, while their PV’SOL is for used in the design of solar photovoltaic systems. Both programs are also available in three user levels, express, professional and expert. The company’s Meteonorm software, a global climate data database, is also available separately. Customized versions of T’SOL and PV’SOL may also be developed by Valentin for individual user objectives. Valentin Energy Software may be purchased through distributors or online on the company website.

What one of these is the best solar simulation software package? Our suggestion is to download the free copy of RETscreen and try it out. If RETscreen does not meet the needs of your applications, then download the demo copy of Polysun and determine if this software is a better choice for your company. In our evaluation of the T*Sol product we found that it didn’t compete effectively with the Polysun for a number of reasons.  Most notably was the lack of SRCC certified collectors and standard U.S. components.  If RETscreen or Polysun does not provide the requirements that you need, perhaps your company should consider a customized version of Polysun, T’SOL or PV’SOL.

Although the main objective of each of these software packages is to facilitate in the design process, the professional looking reports generated by them will also assist solar energy companies in the marketing of their products to potential customers.

After reviewing dozens of websites, we have come up with a top ten list of our favorite solar water heating installer websites.

Each of these websites has introduced their company to the potential customer with content that is informative, clear, concise and up to date. Each one has provided a description of a typical solar water heating installation, some with illustrations. All of these websites have also included their company’s solar energy credentials and the reasons why they should be chosen as the customer’s installer. Some have incorporated photographs of their recent installations, with customer feedback. In addition each one has presented the information in a professional looking website that is easy for the user to navigate.

Since websites should be designed as marketing tools, each of these websites has been graded on the elements of aesthetics, content and navigation, and have been given a numerical score in each. Additionally each website has an SEO grade based on its grading from the website http://www.websitegrader.com Having a great looking website is only part of the battle since you need the customers to be able to find your website as well.  If you notice our top website isn’t the best looking and also doesn’t have the best content but it does have the highest visibility to the search engines and is passable in the other respects.

Our top ten list of solar water heating installer websites is as follows:

#1 ECS Solar Energy Systems, Inc located in Gainesville, Florida

http://www.ecs-solar.com/

Excellent slide show of various types of solar panels installed on homes.

Aesthetics 5, Content 8, Navigation 10, SEO Grade: 91

#2 Dovetail Solar And Wind located in Cincinnati, Ohio

http://www.dovetailsolar.com/index.htm

Extensive “frequently asked questions” area with important information.

Aesthetics 7, Content 10, Navigation 10, SEO Grade: 68

#3 Solar Assist, located in Eugene, Oregon

http://www.solarassist.net/index.html

Impressive photo gallery of recent solar heating projects

Aesthetics 9, Content 7, Navigation 10, SEO Grade: 55

#4 Greenhead Solar, located in Spokane, Washington

http://www.greenheadsolar.com/index.htm

Excellent descriptions of solar panels.

Aesthetics 5, Content 8, Navigation 10, SEO Grade: 52

#5 New England Solar Hot Water, located in Duxbury, Massachusetts http://www.neshw.com/default.aspx

Informative explanation of solar basics

Aesthetics 8, Content 8, Navigation 10, SEO Grade: 36

#6 Enviro Plumbing, located in Santa Monica, California

http://www.enviroplumbing.com/index.html

Extensive photo gallery including pictures of workers installing panels

Aesthetics 8, Content 9, Navigation 6, SEO Grade: 34

#7 Boston Solar Living, located in Medford, Massachusetts

http://www.bostonsolarliving.com/

Great information on tax credits and rebates

Aesthetics 7, Content 10, Navigation 6, SEO Grade: 29

#8 Creative Solar USA located in Canton, Georgia

http://creativesolarusa.com/index.php

Read an open letter from the company’s founder on why he went green

Aesthetics 9, Content 10 , Navigation 10 , SEO Grade: 18

#9 Aladdin Solar, located in Excelsior, Minnesota

http://www.aladdinsolar.com/home.html

One of the few websites to give estimated solar water heating prices

Aesthetics 5, Content 7, Navigation 9, SEO Grade: 24

#10 Solar Heating Services located in Berlin, Wisconsin

http://www.solarheatingservices.com/index.php

Read interesting case study of one their latest solar projects

Aesthetics 8, Content 8, Navigation 8, SEO Grade: 12

If your solar water heating installer website is on our top ten list, congratulations!

If not, contact us with a link to you website and we will review it for our future top ten lists.

The U.S. solar water heating industry produced a record year of growth in 2008, with a 50% increase in capacity compared to 2007. By the end of 2008, approximately 139 MWTh (MegaWatts Thermal equivalent) was installed, bringing the total installed capacity to about 485 MWTh, according to a report released by the Solar Energy Industries Association.

One of the main reasons for the growth of the solar water heating industry was the extension of the residential and commercial solar investment tax credit. Additionally, the public has become increasingly aware of solar energy options available and more concerned about the overall energy crisis.

Even with the significant growth of the solar water heating industry in 2008, solar energy (solar water heating and photovoltaics combined) accounts for only 1% of the total U.S. energy usage. This small percentage is mainly concentrated in several states, possibly as a result of varying state incentives. The state of Hawaii, with its tax credit of 35% of the cost of a solar hot water installation, accounted for 37% of the total MWTh installed in the U.S. in 2008.

The U.S. currently ranks fourth in the world in installed solar energy capacity (solar water heating and photovoltaics combined). Germany ranks first, with Spain and Japan ranking second and third respectfully.

It is expected that the U.S. solar water heating industry will continue to grow in the coming years as the country confronts the issue of reducing solar energy costs to the same level as that of conventional fossil fuel energy.

There are many blogs on the internet devoted to the subject of renewable energy, and specifically to solar energy. In searching the web, the following six blogs are among the most unique and interesting ones that we found. Our ratings for each blog are also included.

#1

A particularly noteworthy solar energy blog is Solar Energy Rocks!. This blog primarily focuses on informing homeowners about rebates, grants, subsidies and tax credits available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The writers of the Solar Energy Rocks! blog believe that the reason that residential solar systems are not more prevalent is because homeowners are unaware of and misinformed about these incentive programs. Along with blog entries, visitors to the blog can click on their state to retrieve this information which is presented in an easy to understand format. In addition,  Solar Energy Rocks! Has recently added two podcasts to their blog. This renewable energy blog can be found at http://www.solarpowerrocks.com/

Quality of content: 10

Applicability: 10

Aesthetics: 9

Frequency of posts: 10

#2

The Build It Solar is a relatively new renewable energy blog. The objective of this blog is to respond to questions that have been emailed to their website. The blog’s entries primarily deal with installation issues. Professional installers and do-it-yourselfers alike will benefit from the information offered by this blog. Recent posts regarding the building of a solar water heating system for $1000 and its continued performance will be of particular interest. Visit this  blog at http://www.builditsolar.com/Blog/index.html

Quality of content: 10

Applicability: 9

Aesthetics: 9

Frequency of posts: 9

#3

Clean Technica is a renewable energy blog published by Green Options Media Production. This blog’s intention is to provide the general public with information on renewable energy options available and to describe actual applications of this technology. The Clean Technica blog is divided into categories, one of those categories being “solar energy”. Written for the lay person, blog entries to the Clean Technica blog are contributed by knowledgeable experts in the field. Visitors to the blog are encouraged to add their comments or questions, to which blog writers will respond. A recent blog post describes how a California company installed a solar power system in its warehouse facility. Other recent blogs include the U.S. Army’s solar energy system at a California base and the Energy Information Administration’s recent news of the significant increase in renewable energy in the U.S. Users may click on http://cleantechnica.com/category/solar-energy/ to be directed to the solar energy category of the Clean Technica blog.

Quality of content: 8

Applicability: 8

Aesthetics: 10

Frequency of posts: 10

#4

Powered By Solar Panels is the name of another solar energy blog. In addition to offering information about the benefits of renewable energy, this writer of Powered By Solar Panels is deeply concerned about the damage that the use of coal, oil and natural gas has done to the environment. Subjects of recent blog entries include a comparison between conventional and solar energy, an description of how solar energy works, how to generate solar house plans, and an explanation of why renewable energy solutions are necessary. Visit Powered By Solar Panels at http://poweredbysolarpanels.com/

Quality of content: 9

Applicability: 9

Aesthetics: 9

Frequency of posts: 8

#5

Get Your Green On is another renewable energy blog. The user will find recent posts pertaining to solar energy in the “green energy” category of this blog.  The Get Your Green On blog is geared towards the residential home owner who is looking for increased energy efficiency in their home. Written in an easy to read style, subjects of recent posts include selecting a reputable renewable energy company, the installation of solar panels, the recent technological advancement of solar panels, the functionality of solar panels in cloudy winter months, how a solar energy system adds value to a home, how to build your own solar panels and more. The Get Your Green On blog is available at http://getyourgreenon.com/category/green-energy/

Quality of content: 10

Applicability: 8

Aesthetics: 6

Frequency of posts: 10

#6

The Residential Solar blog is published by The Solar Energy Source. The goal of this renewable energy is to educate the community, especially those uninformed, about how carbon emissions can be reduced for a cleaner environment by the use of solar energy solutions. User feedback is promoted with an email address for questions or comments. Recent entries this blog consist of the steps to take for a solar system installation, the top ten reasons for using solar panels and more. In addition to The Residential Solar blog, The Solar Energy Source also publishes several other renewable energy blogs. Visit The Residential Solar blog at http://thesolarenergysource.com/category/blog-installing-residential-home-house-solar-power-energy-electric/

Quality of content: 9

Applicability: 8

Aesthetics: 8

Frequency of posts: 6

Solar water heating systems almost always require some kind of thermal storage for solar heated water. Tanks used in solar water heating systems are available in two basic types: pressurized and atmospheric.

Pressurized tanks, constructed of stainless steel or welded steel with a baked-on glass liner, are made to withstand city water pressure without rupturing. Polyurethane foam insulation is used in between the metal skin and interior tank to minimize heat loss. Pressure relief valves are included in the design of pressurized tanks. If the pressure builds up too high inside the tank, the relief valve opens and water is released. Pressurized tanks range from about $500 for an 80 gallon capacity to about $17,000 for a 1,000 gallon capacity. The life span of a pressurized tank around 13 years but can vary depending on local water conditions and tank maintenance (changing the anode rods regularly).

Atmospheric tanks are basically just non-pressurized containers to hold solar heated water. Since they are not completely sealed from the surrounding atmosphere, they should be well insulated. An atmospheric tank that is filled beyond its capacity will overflow. In addition, atmospheric tanks will lose water through evaporation. A variety of materials are used in the construction of atmospheric and include stainless steel, EPDM lined steel, EPDM lined wood, polypropylene and fiberglass. Tank costs and longevity vary with material selection.

A two tank solar water heating system consists of a solar storage tank (it can be atmospheric or pressurized) and a pressurized backup tank. A one tank solar water heating system uses a pressurized tank which serves both as the solar storage tank and the backup water heater.

Simply stated, when using an atmospheric solar storage tank in your design, heat from the collectors is delivered first to the atmospheric tank, then on to the pressurized tank. When no atmospheric tank is used in the design, with only a pressurized tank, the solar heat can be sent directly to the one pressurized tank.

Should you incorporate an atmospheric solar storage tank in your solar thermal design? Your solar equipment manufacturer should be able to help you decide what is best for your individual needs. However, if your tank capacity needs to be over 240 gallons, it may make sense to include an atmospheric tank for economic reasons.

Solar pool heating systems are one of the most cost efficient uses of solar thermal technology. The cost of heating the average residential pool using a gas or electric heater is approximately $2,000 per year, according to the US Department of Energy. The cost of the average solar pool heating system is between $2,000 and $4,000. Although solar pool heating systems are exempt from federal and most state incentives and rebates, the payback period is usually between one to two years. After the payback period, owners of solar pool heating systems can enjoy their solar heated pool for free!

Solar pool heating systems work much the same way as drainback solar domestic hot water systems. In the collector loop, the pool water is heated in the solar collectors. The pool pump will be turned on and the flow of the pool water will go through the panels when the collector temperature is greater than the measured pool temperature. A pool heating system generally doesn’t include a heat exchanger.  When the pool panels are no longer hotter than the pool (or the maximum desired temperature is reached) the flow is no longer directed through the panels.  The panels (with the assistance of a vacuum breaker) would then drain the fluid back into the pool.  If a certain temperature is required then a back-up heater would be installed after the pool panels prior to the heated water reentering the pool.

If your home already is already utilizing a closed loop solar domestic hot water system, you may be able to integrate a solar pool heating system. A valve would be installed on the glycol mixture’s return line. This valve would be able to divert the heated glycol mixture to a second heat exchanger to heat pool water. A sensor and controller would be required to prioritize the two loads. The domestic hot water system would receive first priority. The heated glycol mixture would be diverted to the pool heating system, the second priority, only after the required temperature of the domestic hot water system had been met.

The above integration of a solar pool heating system into an existing solar domestic hot water system may not be employed in an open loop system.

Legionnaires’ disease is a form of pneumonia caused by the bacterium Legionella Pneumophila. Individuals are infected by inhalation of sprays, mists or microscopic droplets of water contaminated with the bacterium. Although Legionella Pneumophila is naturally occurring at low levels in bodies of water, it is not likely that an individual would develop Legionnaires’ disease from these sources.

What does Legionnaires’ disease and Legionella Pneumophila have to do with solar hot water heating systems?

Legionella Pneumophila may live and possibly flourish in almost any water system or equipment that distributes water as a spray or mist, including residential and commercial solar hot water heating systems. Can you be infected by the bacterium by taking a shower in your own home? Yes, it is possible, but unlikely.

Legionella Pneumophila is much more likely to be found in substantial levels in the larger water systems of workplaces and public facilities such as, but not limited to,  hotels, cruise ships and hospitals. In addition to conventional and solar hot water heating systems, the bacterium may also exist in the cooling towers of industrial cooling water systems, large central air conditioning systems, evaporative coolers, whirlpool spas, ice making machines and decorative fountains.

Water systems with warm stagnant water provide the best environment for the growth of Legionella Pneumophila. The bacterium can begin to multiply at temperatures between 68°F and 122°F, with the most favorable temperature range being between  90°F and 105°F. The incidence of rust and other microorganisms can also promote increased growth. Dead legs in the water system design may provide a favorable place for the bacterium to grow.

When water temperature is increased to 131°F, Legionella Pneumophila will be destroyed in several hours. At temperatures above 158°F, the bacterium is immediately destroyed.

To prevent the growth of Legionella Pneumophila, it is recommended that solar hot water heating systems be operated at 140°F. In public water systems biocides such as chlorine are also used to eliminate the bacterium, as well as ultraviolet-C light in conjunction with specialized ultrasonic processes.

Those installing or repairing solar hot water systems should take into consideration the environmental conditions that promote the growth of Legionella and shoot to avoid those situations by cleaning all piping, fittings and other equipment before assembly.  Since most solar systems operate with the solar tank pre-heating the water going into a back-up heater that is set high enough to destroy the bacteria it should not be a concern.

Today’s homeowners are becoming more environmentally conscious, and many are considering the use of solar energy to reduce their own carbon footprint and cut energy costs. As homeowners examine the possibilities of solar energy, they will quickly become aware of the two options available, solar thermal and solar photovoltaic.

Upon further investigation, many homeowners realize that they can not afford the purchase of both solar thermal and solar photovoltaic systems. Which one of these technologies should they choose? Which one is more efficient and cost effective for the average homeowner?

Both solar thermal panels and solar photovoltaic panels collect heat and sunlight from the sun rays. However, that is just about the only thing that these two technologies have in common.

Solar thermal panels deliver heat to the home’s solar hot water system. Heated water or a glycol mixture from the panels is sent to a heat exchanger, which transfers the heat to the water supply. The water is kept heated and ready for use in an insulated storage tank. Solar thermal panels, installed effectively, are between 50% to 70% efficient, and can supply 70% to 80% of a home’s hot water usage.

Solar photovoltaic panels must transform the sun’s heat to electricity. Photons are collected by the panels and converted to direct current electrical power. The power is then converted to alternating current by an inverter. Solar photovoltaic panels are considered to be only between 12% to 15% efficient. An average panel produces one kilowatt-hour per square meter per day. (However, this will depend on weather, latitude, cloud cover and many other variables.) Therefore, the percentage of a home’s electricity usage produced by its solar photovoltaic panels would depend on the number of panels used.

The relative efficiency difference between the technologies translates directly into cost differences for installed systems. A 4KW solar water heating system can generally be installed for $5,000 – $9,000 on an average home. For a solar photovoltaic system, the same size system (measured in energy production) would cost the homeowner $24,000 – $40,000 installed.  Another issue that crops up relative to the efficiency of the various technologies is the impact this has on how much energy can be saved based on the homeowner’s available space for panels.  To achieve the same level of energy production a homeowner will need to dedicate 5x the amount of space to a solar electric system.

In comparing the 50% to 70% efficiency of solar thermal to the 12% to 15% efficiency of solar photovoltaic, it is apparent that solar water heating is the more efficient of the two. This efficiency translates into several other tangible benefits for the homeowner.

LEED Version 3 (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a worldwide accepted certification system for the design, construction and operation of green buildings. Developed by USGBC (United States Green Building Council), LEED Version 3 supports and encourages whole-building design approaches.

LEED Version 3 certification uses a point scoring system where points are given for building projects that strive for energy savings, water efficiency, carbon emission reduction, enhanced indoor environmental quality, and management of resources. A total of 110 points are offered, including 10 bonus points. A minimum number of 40 points is needed for a building project to become certified. The four levels of LEED Version 3 certification and their required points are: Platinum, 80-110; Gold, 60-79; Silver, 50-59; Certified, 40-49.

LEED Version 3 points are available in the following categories: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, Innovation in Design and Regional Priority.

The Energy and Atmosphere category offers a total of 35 possible points. This category is further broken down into six specific credits. Credit 1 is named Optimize Energy Performance.  A total of nineteen points may be given for Credit 1. Credit 2 is called On-Site Renewable Energy, which offers a total of seven points.

If your building project is incorporating a solar thermal system, you may be able to receive LEED Version 3 points from Credit 1, Optimize Energy Performance. (Since solar thermal does not actually generate power like solar electric does, the energy savings received from solar thermal does not qualify in Credit 2, On-Site Renewable Energy.)

LEED Version 3 points from Credit 1 for inclusion of a solar thermal system are calculated by first establishing a reference building as a baseline. Then data regarding the system is analyzed using a simulation software program, comparing it to the baseline. One point is awarded for every 3.5% of energy efficiency over the baseline, with a maximum of ten points available.

Since solar thermal is generally less expensive than many other renewable energy technologies, it is a much more economically feasible way of obtaining LEED Version 3 points for your building project.