Elementary School Students Learning the Wonders of Solar Hot Water

Last November we installed a solar thermal system at the Wakarusa Elementary School in Lawrence, KS.  We've been logging data on the systems performance for the past 2 months and have since had a write up in the paper on the success of the installation. Tours given by staff to the "Solar Hot Water Room" have proven to be a successful tool in educating the kids in the function of the solar hot water system, and the importance of reducing energy consumption while also saving money.

Read more and see the video at:
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2011/jan/25/wakarusa-valley-school-gets-new-solar-thermal-syst/#c1498531

Achimedes & His Friendly Sun Powered Deathray

As the story goes... in 114BC Archimedes used solar death rays to destroy enemy Roman ships that dared to sail too close to the Syracuse by focusing the rays of the sun using a series of giant mirrors. It's true! They even proved that its possible on Mythbusters, so you know it's legit.

Anyways, we may not be torching enemy vessels with our innovative Simple Drainback design, but we are using the sun's energy with good purpose. And we don't use a complicated series of giant mirrors, either. What do we use? One tank, one pump, and one controller. It's that simple:

The sun begins to heat the collectors, and when the collector's sensor is hotter than the tank, the controller turns on the pump, and solar water is pumped up to the collectors. The solar water is then heated as it passes through the collectors. The solar water then flows down to the tank, and heats the water within the tank. The cooler solar water is pumped from the bottom of the tank back up to the solar collectors. As the solar water continues to circulate, the coiled heat exchanger transfers the heat from the tank to the domestic water within the heat exchanger. The tank sensor will signal when the tank has reached its maximum temperature, and will then turn off the pump. The solar water then drains back from the solar collectors down to the tank.

So when hot water is drawn for domestic use, cold water enters the heat exchanger, an then comes out hot. The hot reservoir continues to supply energy to the domestic line until the stored solar water cools.

Then the sun reheats the tank. When the collector temperature drops below the tank temperature, the pump turns off and the water drains back into the tank. The system then waits again for the sun to heat the collectors.

Check out this simple video demonstrating how it works:  http://simpledrainback.com/simpledrainback.swf

(No Romans were harmed in the making of this video demonstration.)

A Solar Water Heater Made of PET Bottles

I found this old article from back in 2007. What a great way to do a little double-time recycling. After guzzling a ton of tasty soda, you can now get even more out of your old plastic bottles by using them to heat your water! Temas says:

"The government of the southern Brazilian state of Paraná has been conducting an interesting experiment in environmental design utilizing waste materials.

Since August 2006 state agencies have sponsored projects to construct solar water heaters constructed from used PET bottles and “long life” (aseptic) milk packaging. So far some 3,000 such heaters have been constructed and put into operation in 254 Paraná municipalities, in the process diverting about 1.2 million PET bottles and aseptic milk cartons that otherwise might have gone into landfills. It takes 200 PET bottles and 200 aseptic milk cartons to construct the solar water heater array.

It’s estimated that if the heater is used to heat the water for two bathrooms, it can save as much as 120 kilowatts per month."

However, if you're not quite into the extreme DIY approach as our friends in Brazil have so brilliantly developed, check out our approach, developed and designed right here in the heartland of the USA at www.simpledrainback.com

Read more about the PET bottle solar hot water heater here: http://www.temasactuales.com/temasblog/environmental-protection/waste-recycling/a-solar-water-heater-made-of-pet-bottles/

Fox News on Rehabbing Homes & Solar Thermal

Yes, it's true. Even from the funny pages of Fox News, you'll find "Fair and Balanced" "news" reporting on the benefits of solar thermal hot water.

"...use the sun to rein in utility bills. A solar water heater system will typically cost more than a conventional system to install, according to the DOE. But it can trim your hot water expenses by 50% to 80%, so they can pay for themselves within a few years, depending on your usage. Don't forget the 30% federal tax credit on the purchase, and check to see if your state and local governments offer incentives."

Why would Fox News choose to publish an article on such a liberal-hippie-crack-pot idea such as this? Because the facts are irrefutable, no matter what end of the political spectrum you stand on. A solar thermal hot water system is simply the right thing to do. Now if you’re an oil-tycoon, a self-absorbed zillionaire, or an evil scientist hell-bent on destroying the earth one-bit of [insert your fossil fuel of choice here] at a time, then okay. Maybe this method of saving money while simultaneously saving the Earth is not for you. But if you don’t fall into this category, the get on board, people! Check out the Simple Drainback Method.

Read more: http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2010/12/13/handy-ways-save-home-rehab/

Eagles Going Even Greener

...Well, "going greener" meaning that they already wear green uniforms. But they're really stepping up by implementing wind turbine power generation, solar panels,  low flush toilets and composting in their Philadelphia Eagles Stadium. Since being built in 2003, they've really become pioneers in the sports-arena industry by working to become self-sufficient in their energy usage, as many teams have introduced similar efficiency programs for their stadiums since. Go Eagles!

 Read on --> 

10 Million Gallons of Solar Water Heating Act of 2010

Big news: Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont has introduced legislation that would greatly aid in the expansion of rooftop solar energy in the United States. His "10 Million Solar Roofs and 10 Million Gallons of Solar Water Heating Act of 2010" would help fund the installation of solar panels on 10 million American homes and businesses as well as the installation of 200,000 solar water heaters. This would produce about 30,000 new megawatts -- the equivalent of about 30 nuclear power plants -- and help put us on the path toward a truly green energy economy.

Please take a minute and contact your senators and encourage them to join as cosponsors of the "10 Million Solar Roofs 5 and 10 Million Gallons of Solar Water Heating Act of 2010" to help our country move toward green energy. Follow this link to do so.

New Install Self-Help Videos Now Available

We've started a new series of videos for you contractors, do-it-yourself-ers, plumbers... and well... anyone who has a question about their new Simple Drainback System. Or even anyone who is simply interested in the SHEM  Simple Drainback System.

These videos touch on all the major points of the installation process. Identifying and familiarizing the necessary hardware, proper orientation of the solar collectors on the rack, the correct method of tilt mounting your collectors, properly installing and protecting your fittings, and details regarding the funciton and installation of the flow meter.

This is the first series in our new video section on the SHEM website.  They are meant to help you with any new questions that may come up when you're climbing around on your roof, warming up the torch to do some soldering, or just curious about the process of installing a super-efficient solar hot water system.

Installation Video - Part 1 - Identifying & Installing Hardware
Installation Video - Part 2 - Tilt Mounting Collectors & Orientation
Installation Video - Part 3 - Protecting the Fittings & Understanding the Flow Meter