subject: A Look At Clean Energy And Solar Heating Tubes [print this page] Whenever people hear news about green or clean energy they imagine rows of solar panels positioned on a rooftop, or a group of wind power systems producing electricity from simple air flow. While these are correct views of energy sources create clean energy, most people's perception of clean energy systems fail to include one of the most efficient, and applicable of all systems ---namely solar heating tubes. This solar technology is used to produce hot water.
The technologies behind this kind of clean energy have already matured as to have a variety of applications, not only for commercial or industrial applications but for domestic applications as well. Millions of individual homes and apartment buildings that depend on such systems for their hot water supply are able to significantly reduce their energy bills. As a matter of fact, the nation of China is leading the way with this particular energy, and it is estimated that as much as 30 million homes (which covers apartments or homes) are able to get their supply of heated water from their solar heating tubes, at least 60% of the time (or achieve 60% efficiency).
Why 60-70% and not all of their hot water supply? This is really the only "glitch" with clean energy that rely on solar power, and it happens because of the patterns of nature. Remember, the sun goes up and down everyday. As a result, solar heating tubes are only able to run when sunlight is at its peak, which is usually from around 9 AM to 4-5 PM. However once the sun sets, it's like someone turned-off the water heater. However, solar heating tubes still get around sixty percent efficiency because the huge storage tanks the system uses can remain hot for many hours after the sun has gone down. This is the reason why most green energy experts specify maximum energy savings of solar heating tubes at the sixty percent threshold.
What does the 60% efficiency mean in practical terms for the building owner or landlord? For the most part, it means that, they still have to avail electricity from their utility company or gas, oil, electric provider, in order to maintain a 24 hour supply of hot water. What does it mean in terms of money? This will require a longer explanation.
Consider that you will need to purchase the solar heating system and pay for its installation. This can be substantial cash outlay, and most commercial or residential building owners will utilize the equity in their property to put their purchase on a kind of installment payment agreement, like a second mortgage or business loan to cover costs. But the solar power system is going to begin working as soon as it is set-up, which means that electricity bills are going to decline significantly starting the first month of installation. This decrease in electric power bills generates financial savings that can be used to the repayment on the loan for installation. What makes this investment more advantageous to property owners is that, most solar power systems can be repaid within 2-5 years;but after that the money savings will go directly into the pocket of the owner. From then on, the building can be provided with hot water at a significantly lower cost.
Aside from the reduction in utility payments and shorter period to receive your return on investment for the solar heating tubes, there is also a wide array of tax benefits to be enjoyed through such an investment. These financial incentives can assist the property owner to pay off the debt on the solar technology quickly.
