Solar Hot Water Heater Systems | Commercial
How would Solar Hot Water Work for my Business?
Click the photo for a series of photographs and descriptions of some of our most recent commercial projects.
Not only will Solar Hot Water systems provide energy cost reductions – with short paybacks, the benefits to your corporate image can be immeasurable. Customers, employees, vendors, and local authorities frequently convey that they want to support sustainable business models. Using solar will build your brand!
Ideally, solar water heating systems are designed and sized to achieve a solar fraction of 70%, meaning the sun would provide approximately 70% of the annual water heating energy. The backup system provides the rest. However, smaller systems are often installed if there is a limited budget or limited solar exposure. The important thing to remember is that whether a system is big or small, every unit of renewable energy captured from the sun, is one unit of traditional energy that will not be purchased and will not be consumed.
Solar Energy Services will evaluate your individual application and provide the best design based upon your operation, budget, solar resources, and the goals of your solar project.
Solar Water Heating has many tremendous commercial applications:
- Health Clubs / Gymnasiums
- Apartment Buildings
- Hospitals
- Hotels/Dormitories
- Restaurants
- Car Washes
- Laundromats
- Pools/Spas
- Processing Industries
Financing a commercial system is easier than you may think. There are tremendous government incentives (hyperlink to our module?) to help offset the capital cost. Additionally, there are third party financing models that can be very attractive, allowing for positive cash flow on the renewable energy investment in the first month. Ask us about our partners who provide project financing. SES also provides assistance with grant applications for state rebates.
Click on any of the photos for a larger shot of our commercial solar hot water system installations.
While commercial solar water heating is a great investment for some buildings, it is not a good investment for buildings without a regular hot water demand, nor those with only a small hot water demand. For example, office buildings are rarely good candidates for solar water heating but are often good candidates for solar electric (photovoltaic) (hyperlink to the commercial PV page).
Solar Water Heating can be incorporated into new construction at a lower cost than retrofitting, but retrofits are very common and cost effective. If a building has a central hot water supply and solar exposure, it is often very cost effective to introduce solar to preheat the existing water heater – be it gas, electric, propane, oil, or other.
Including Solar Hot Water systems in new construction is not only more cost effective, it will soon be expected from buyers of homes and the appropriate commercial buildings.
Solar Energy Solutions can provide design build services for thermal systems or we can partner with your preferred mechanical contractor to install the system together.
For more examples of Solar Thermal Commercial Applications visit the Department of Energy
Commercial Solar Hot Water FAQ
- What is the cost? What about Solar Electric?
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If you have a regular hot water load, you will get a much better return on your capital investment with SWH than Photovoltaic (PV). Largely because SWH is about three times as efficient as PV, capital investments in SWH are typically 1/3 to 1/2 that of solar electric systems producing the same amount of energy. SWH typically requires 1/3 the roof space of PV as well. Once the appropriate system is sized for water heating, then PV should be considered if the budget supports it. If your facility has small water heating loads, then solar PV should be given first consideration.
- I bet the incentive paperwork is difficult?
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Depending on how you finance the project, this could be all in some one elses hands. If you are financing the project on your own, SES will help with the grant application and completion paperwork. The federal tax credits and MACRS accelerated depreciation will be handled by your accountant. Incentive paperwork.
- Shouldn’t I be concerned about roof penetrations?
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On pitched asphalt roofs the mounts are attached by screwing lag bolts through the roof and directly into the rafters – and then properly sealed. This is a time tested approach that has been used for solar panels since the seventies. For flat roofs panels can be mounted on standoffs and sealed or more commonly, evacuated tube panels are used where ballasting replaces roof-penetrating fasteners. Metal standing seam roofs can utilize “S” Clips, and avoid penetrations for mounting hardware. Pipe penetrations are made with flashed pipe boots or if necessary, through an exterior wall. All other roof styles need to be evaluated on a case by case basis. SES will happily work with your preferred roofing contractor for special requirements of any kind.
- I need 140 degree water in my operation? Will solar work for me?
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Every application is different so qualified design is important, but it is important to remember, that all systems must have backup heating to provide what solar cannot. However, even if you are only heating your water from 60 to 80 on a cloudy December day; that is 20 degrees of heating that will not require purchase or consumption of traditional energy.
Commercial Solar Water Heating Systems completed for the Cherry Hill Campground in May 2010. This multiple solar application provides both domestic water heating and solar pool heating, 
