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

Final Weekend of the Month Clearance on Solar Hot Water Systems & Open House

We're hosting an open house demonstration & installation seminar from 9am-4pm this Saturday! Come out to our offices for refreshment and lively discussion regarding solar hot water in YOUR home. "Final Weekend of the Month Clearance" on off-test Solar Hot Water Systems, sold complete! See pricing below:

• $1,750 - 80 gallon drainback with two 4'x8' Novan flat plate collectors.
• $2,000 - 80 gallon "E" drainback with internal electric element: One 4'x10' flat plate collector.
• $1,850 - 80 gallon drainback with new Suntask 30 tube heat pipe evacuated tube array.
• $2,000 - 120 gallon glycol system with two 20 tube heat pipe evacuated tube array.

System installed value between $5,500 - $8,000. So as you can see, this is a particularly low price for a solar hot water system. This event will be the first "Final Weekend of the Month Clearance" sale. We will hold our open house from 9am-4pm at our offices in Perry, KS. with free demos and installation seminar. Click here for directions »

HLN Money Expert Clark Howard Installs Solar Collectors on His Roof

Sure this guy is kind of a goof-ball, and looks a skinny Steve Carell in this screenshot, but he's right on target with this bit on solar hot water collectors. He had one installed at his home this summer and did a special on it to highlight the simplicity, efficiency, and savings associated with installing a solar hot water system in your home. Check the video out right here.

Solar Hot Water Heater Coming to the White House

That's right -- putting their money where their mouth is on their commitment to U.S. leadership in solar energy, and the jobs it will create here at home! Sounds great. Although Jimmy Carter made the first attempt to jump-start the solar power movement back in the 70's by installing solar panels on the White House. Then the Regan Administration pulled them down when he moved in. Boo. 


Well, we're back, baby. The solar panel system on the White House, which should be installed by next spring, will convert sunlight directly to electricity, while the solar hot water heater will have a solar collector facing the sun to heat water for use in the White House residence. This announcement came on the one year anniversary of an executive order that called on the federal government to lead in the establishment of a clean energy economy. Read the whole article here.

Who Killed the Solar Hot Water Heater?

Awesome article from www.getsolar.com about the Rise & Fall of Solar Hot Water Systems in the U.S. 

All over the world, everyone is making (or has already made) the economical and environmentally sound change to solar hot water. It's reliable. It's way less expensive. It's simple. Seriously... all over the world they're doing this. Why haven't we done so here in the States? Read on:

Turns out, solar hot water was becoming increasingly popular in the 70's and 80's due to great gov't incentives passed by the Carter Administration. However, the rapidly-expanding-market (without much oversight) led to lowered quality systems and bad install jobs. This, combined with the Federal Gov't later cutting the incentives program, gave solar hot water a very bad rap as being uneconomical and an ineffective means of heating  your water.

Well, times they-are-a-changin'.

The government has reinstated absolutely KILLER incentives and rebates to make solar hot water heaters unbelievably affordable (up to 70% paid for in some states! No joke). The technology and refinement of the solar hot water system has been refined. Our patented Simple Drainback System is second to none in efficiency and simplicity. Today's competition (unlike the solar boom in the 70's and 80's) demands reliable systems and perfect installation jobs every time.

Want to dig a little deeper into the possibilities available to you through solar hot water? Read on.

SHEM's New Website

Check out our newly designed website - -  your headquarters for all things solar. We have developed an entire range of solar thermal solutions for every imaginable application. In our website you’ll find solutions for many solar thermal needs, from domestic hot water to industrial or commercial process heating.


Come take a look at what we have to offer at www.simpledrainback.com