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solar collectors installed


Photo From: Steve Habeger - Album: No Album

Description: Here's a pic of the solar panels installed on our roof. System heats all our hot water.

Uploaded: 7/7/2007 by Steve Habeger
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(11/29/2014) Joe Reynolds wrote: Steve, how are these solar panels working out?
(1/27/2021) Joe Reynolds wrote: Steve, how is this working out for you since I asked in 2014?
(1/27/2021) Steve Habeger wrote: The system works as advertised and I am satisfied.

Some basic facts need to be addressed: two senior people don't need much hot water and the only way the system made financial sense was that there were significant Federal tax credits AND a Maryland Grant Program in place to stimulate such ventures.

The system sure does heat water well, no doubt. Given a reasonably clear and bright day, the 120-gallon tank will have a lot of 140 F water in it. An anti-scald mixing valve prevents very hot weather from entering the house.

The tank of hot water can also be used to space heat the house but that is a small feature, in my opinion. Solar energy is modest in the dead of winter when it would be useful and quite abundant in the summer when it isn't needed.

We entered into this venture as an experiment. Several neighbors have experienced leaks and pump failures which can be expensive to fix. We haven't had significant costs beyond routine maintenance.