Solar Domestic Water Heating – The Basicss_Recycling_Society_workshop... · Solar Energy Project...

Solar Energy Project Development Specialists

Gordon Howell, P.Eng.Edmonton

Phone: +1 780 484 0476E-mail: [email protected]

©1995-2008

Solar Domestic Water Heating

– The Basics –

Alternative Energy Trade FairPeace Citizens’ Recycling Society

Peace River2008 November 15, 16

(download this presentation from www.hme.ca/presentations)

Solar Energy Project Development Specialists 2

Alternative Energy Trade Fair Peace Citizens’Recycling Society

Intro: My Goals…

To empower you to get ready for the energy and environmental issues coming upon us

To help you understandhow solar heating can be used to heat your household hot water

To help you take next steps in using solar water heating– to reduce your natural gas bills, – to reduce your environmental footprint, – to increase your energy security,– to leave a legacy… so you can look your grandkids in the eye!

We have done a lot of research for you and have assembled it into one place.



Intro: Me! ––

I am a solar system project developer

I am not an equipment supplier

I have no vested interest in any technology

My interest is that you choose wisely– with your eyes wide open– based on the facts and

whether it is right for you or not.

The Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi…but not every man's greed. (Mahatma) India



Intro: What the Presentation Does…

Gives you familiarity with words, concepts, components, and costs

Gives you space to ask questions and get answers right away

Helps you understand how to get started

Solar domestic water heating systemEdmonton

I do not believe in a fate that falls on men however they act;but I do believe in a fate that falls on men unless they act. +G.K. Chesterson



Riverdale NetZeroenergy home,

Edmonton

Okotoks swimming poolsolar heating

Anything that uses electricity

Space heating

Water heating – for domestic water, pools

Industrial and commercial process heating

Cooking

Daytime illumination

Solar Energy – where can it be used



Solar Heating for Residential Domestic Water

Aurum Lodge, near Nordegg, 2004

Mary-Anne Rice home, Edmonton, 2007

Tim Belec home, Pigeon Lake, 2007



Context: Energy Efficiency vs. Adding Energy…

Solar energy option:– Does NOT reduce your energy consumption!– Instead it substitutes your energy source

from fossil fuels over to the sun…

Energy efficiency option:– This is the cheapest, most important and shortest payback option…– But it is emotionally boring

Solar energy has much higher costs and longer paybacks than energy efficiency

– It is exciting and something you can brag about to your friends…

Socialism collapsed because it did not allow the market to tell the economic truth. Øystein DahleCapitalism may collapse because it does not allow the market to tell the ecological truth. Exxon Norway



Utility CostsReduce heating bills – you pay for solar energy up front

Reduce vulnerability to up and down natural gas prices

Environmental FootprintReduce how much air pollution you cause from burning natural gasIncrease the reserve of natural gas you leave for the next generation

Context: Why Use Solar Heat?

Political will arises from personal momentumWe need to be the leaders to our governments and corporations.



Business OpportunityServe the growing public interestServe the multi-billion $ world markets

Social OpportunityProvide the leadership that we needEncourage the government to facilitate it instead of blocking it

Context: Why Use Solar Heat?

The superior man seeks what is right; Confuciusthe inferior one, what is profitable.



Proven technology – thousands of systems across Canada

Can provide energy security and independence

Inflation-proof

Political-proof

No noise

No emissions

Low or zero Low or zero maintenance and and operating costscosts

Extends the lifetime of our dwindling natural gas resources

Context: Benefits of Solar Energy…

Nature does provide us with a free lunch, William…but only if we control our appetites. Ruckelshaus



Context: Challenges with Solar Heating…

Purchase costs are high

Not a well developed supply or installation chain

Not a lot of broad-based experience in Canada

Has to compete with highly subsidized natural gas

Little interest by governments in developing policies and programmes that facilitate it

– (Saskatchewan and Medicine Hat now have an incentive programmes)

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over Benjamin…and expecting different results. Franklin



Other Countries…

Tens of thousands of new solar water heaters are installed worldwide each year.

In Austria one out of every seven homes now use solar water heating.

Spain legally requires solar hot water systems in all new buildings.

Some 80% of solar water heating systems are manufactured and installed in China.

Service to others…is the rent you pay for your room here on earth. Muhammad Ali



Questions ???

Next:Solar Systems and Components

Until there is awareness there will be no consensus to change. Martin Luther King Jr.America



Solar heating– A dark surface sitting in the sunshine– Water or air runs past the solar

heated surface carrying heat to the building.

Solar electricity– A semiconductor device like a computer

chip– Photons bump electrons out of an atom.– Wires carry the electrons away.

Solar heating and solar electricity

are NOT the same…



What words do we use?

Solar panels

Solar heating – thermal collectors

Solar electricity – photovoltaic modules



Solar Domestic Water Heating System - Concept

© 2006-2008 Trimline Design Centre

Sunlight and its energy

Collectors

Piping, pumps,valves,control, flow meter

Storage tank, heat exchangers

Cold water source

Hot water usage



Solar Water Heating Collectors

Glazed flat-plate collector

– commercial,industrial, residential

– most common

Evacuated tube collector

– high-temperature process heating

Unglazed flat-plate collector

– primarily used inoutdoor pool heating

Enerworks



Glazed Flat Plate Collectors

GlazingLets light in, reduces heat

loss, like a greenhouse

AbsorberConverts sunlight

into heat

InsulationReduces heat losses

FrameProtects the collector

Fluid circuitHarnesses heat from

absorber

You must skate to where the puck is goingnot to where it is now. Wayne Gretzky



Photo Credit: Trimline Design Centre


Contains frame, window, absorber, piping, brackets, insulation, gaskets, screws

Made of glass or polymers, aluminum, steel, copper, fiberglass or isocyanurate, EPDM

Typically for residential and commercial applications




Application– Used for domestic water or space heating, pools

Advantages– Very low or zero maintenance costs– Very low operating costs– Permanent installation – withstands the environment

Drawbacks– Less efficient than an evacuated tube in extreme cold

weather

Text Credit: Trimline Design Centre

Historians talk about the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, and the Iron Age. Before too long the Petroleum Age will also be over.



Storage tank with heat exchanger inside

Pump controller

Solar circulation pump

Often also has a Often also has a drainbackdrainbackreservoir and a flow meterreservoir and a flow meter

Heat Storage Tank

Let us put our minds together and see what kind of life we can make for our children. Sitting Bull



Major Components

SolarSolar controllercontroller (one type)(one type)

HeatHeat exchangerexchanger

PrePre--heatheat water tankwater tank

PipingPiping connectionsconnections

SolarSolar collectorscollectors

($1000 ($1000 eacheach))



System Operation – Controller Turns on Pump

In In thisthis exampleexample, a , a solarsolar pumppump isislocatedlocated on top of the on top of the heatheatexchangerexchanger;;

The The controllercontroller sendssends a signal to a signal to the the pumppump to to turnturn onon……



System Operation – Liquid is Circulated

Glycol (antiGlycol (anti--freezefreeze) ) isis thenthencirculatedcirculated betweenbetween the the heatheatexchangerexchanger and the and the solarsolarcollectorscollectors……



System Operation – Liquid is Heated

WithinWithin the the collectorscollectors, the glycol , the glycol absorbsabsorbs the the solar heatheat……

The The collectedcollected solarsolar heatheat circulatescirculatesback to the back to the heatheat exchangerexchanger……

1



Cold water Cold water isis circulatedcirculated betweenbetween the the solarsolar tank and the tank and the heatheat exchangerexchanger……

The The heatheat exchangerexchanger transferstransfers the the solarsolar heatheat intointo the waterthe water……

The The heatedheated water water returnsreturns back back intointothe the solarsolar tank.tank.

1

2

System Operation – Heat is Transferred



System Operation – Hot Water is Stored

The The heatheat collection collection processprocessoperatesoperates over the over the wholewhole dayday……

The The solarsolar tank water tank water heatsheats up up throughoutthroughout the the dayday……

UntilUntil the the wholewhole solarsolar tank tank isis filledfilledwithwith hot water!hot water!

2

1



System Operation – Delivered to You

WhenWhen hot water hot water isis drawndrawn off for off for usageusage……

SolarSolar heatedheated water water flowsflows intointo the the gasgas or or electricelectric booster tankbooster tank……

And cold water And cold water fromfrom the city the city isisdrawndrawn intointo the the solarsolar tanktank……

1

23



Glycol System – Advantages

Immune to freezing.

Can run piping without concern for level or plumb.

Easy for the do-it-yourself person to install.


We are consuming the resources of our planet at such a rate Prince Charles that we are, in effect, living off credit and living on borrowed time. of Windsor



"Drainback" System Configuration

In a drainback system, water is only pumped up to the collectors whenenough solar energy isavailable to heat it.

Otherwise, the collectorsremain empty.

1

2

3

Live so our forefathers would be proud,and our children will be thankful.



Drainback System – Advantages

Easiest for a do-it-yourself person to install and maintain.

Has the least maintenance.

No concerns when going away on holidays or other periods of reduced hot water requirements.

Provides failsafe protection against system damage due:– overheating in the summer, – freezing in the winter, or– electrical power outages.

As nearly every study shows, Maximizing Environmental Benefits and Market Returnscompanies with better environmental performance World Wildlife Fundconsistently achieve superior financial and stock market performance.



Installation Considerations

Plan for routing the solar collector piping from the roof to the storage tank.

Be careful about any roof and wall penetrations.

Increase in roof loading – shouldn’t be a problem, but needs to be checked

Good southern exposure is best.


For of those to whom much is given,much is required. Luke 12:48



-30%

-25%

-20%

-15%

-10%

-5%

0%0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

Optimum Annual Tilt AnglePeace River

% of energy from optimum annual tilt angle

Horizontal Vertical

4.5

3.3

3.8

sun-hours/day

= kWh/m2/day

The maximum annual solar energy production occurs at around a 51° tilt.If your goal is to maximise this, your tilt angle can be from 20° to 80° and still be within 10% of the maximum.

Snow cover?Reflection from snow fields?



-80%

-70%

-60%

-50%

-40%

-30%

-20%

-10%

0%0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

Optimum Winter Tilt AnglePeace River

% of energy from optimum winter tilt angle

Horizontal Vertical

3.65Sun-hours/day

1.0

3.2

3.61

The maximum winter solar energy production occurs at an 81° tilt.If your goal is to optimise this, your tilt angle can be from 52° to 90° and still be within 10% of the maximum.



-35%

-30%

-25%

-20%

-15%

-10%

-5%

0%230 220 210 200 190 180 170 160 150 140 130

Optimum Winter Orientation Angle

% of energy from optimum winter orientation angle

Peace River

SW South SESSESSW

If the goal is to optimise the wintertime solar energy production, you can orient the roof or wall 28° either side of south and still be within 10% of the maximum, which is at due south.

3.6

Sun-hours/day

3.2 3.2



Collectors – mounted horizontally on roof rack

ThermoDynamics Solar Boiler

Tim Belec, Pigeon Lake



Mounted on a metal roof

If we are going to throw anything out, The Oteshalet it be the concept of garbage. Project


Alternative Energy Trade Fair Peace Citizens’Recycling SocietyMounted on a rack

above the roof line

I'd put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! Thomas EdisonI hope we don't have to wait 'til oil and coal run out before we tackle that. (1847–1931)



Mounted against a

wall

Economic prosperity goes hand in hand with good health and a clean environment.…These inalienable rights are also the mission of successful companies.



Mounting Location – Think outside of the box…Does not have to be mounted on a house roof.

Can be mounted on garage roofs, walls, ground.

Photo Credit: Trimline Design

Centre



Questions…?

Next:Solar system performanceand savings

Every great movement must experience three stages: John Stuart Mill…ridicule, discussion, adoption.



$0

$500

$1,000

$1,500

$2,000

$2,500

$3,000

1

Background: Our Natural Gas Consumption

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

1

High 300 GJ

Low 35 GJ

Avg 135 GJ

High$2967 per year

Avg$1527 per year

Low$654 per year

Household Consumption

per year (Edmonton)

1 GJ = 28 litres of

gasoline

Avg 30 GJ for DWH

Annual connection fee

$348

Average DHW, $262

Delivered energy

consumption charges

DWH

DWH



Background: Natural Gas Prices (Edmonton)

$0

$1

$2

$3

$4

$5

$6

$7

$8

$9

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$11

1988

1989

1990

1991

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1997

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2003

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2007

$/GJ2006: $10.27 /GJ

2007: $8.73 /GJ

It may seem impossible to imagine that a technologically advanced society could Elizabeth Kolbertchoose, in essence, to destroy itself, but that is what we are now in the process of doing. New Yorker



Background: Natural Gas Connection Fees

$0

$50

$100

$150

$200

$250

$300

$350

$400

1988

1989

1990

1991

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$/year

2006: $320 per year

2007: $348 per year

In many ways our future is passing us by, Gary Lamphier… and our energy riches may one day look like fool's gold. Edmonton Journal



Performance – Rules of Thumb

~$650075%13.4 GJ

66%11.7 GJ

44%7.8 GJ

Thermodynamics G32– flat plate

1.

~$8800

2-collector system cost

90%16 GJ

83%14.7 GJ

56%10 GJ

Thermo Tech Mazdon 30– evacuated tube

2.

2 31Collector brand Qty:

Solar savings (%)

Annual energy production (GJ)

Costs not to be taken as definitive

Not including Government of Canada rebate of $500

The sustainability of our business Mountain Equipmentdepends on the sustainability of our planet, and its people. Co-Op



Cost Breakdown

2 collector system – typical pricing and cost breakdown

Portion– $2100 for 2 solar collectors 33%– $1500 installation, plumbing, and electrical work 23%– $1000 pumps, piping, controls 17%– $1000 solar tank and heat exchanger 17%– $400 fittings, collector rack, flow meter 6%

=========~$6,000 installed price (up to $8,000) + GST

– $500 Government of Canada rebate 8%

Q2

Our planet is dying Vanessaand we have no right to destroy the ecosystem. Redgrave



Operating Costs…

Operating costs:– Solar PV powered pump: $0 per year– Glycol system: $10 per year in electricity– Drainback system: $15-$20 per year in electricity

Maintenance costs:– Glycol system: $20 per year for glycol?– Drainback system: $0 per year

Going to a junkyard is a sobering experience…There you can see the ultimate destination of almost everything we desire. Roger von Oech



System Economics

Price of Price of delivereddelivered natural gas heat:natural gas heat:–– 8 $/GJ to 32 $/G8 $/GJ to 32 $/GJ, volatile and rising at 9% per year–– 10% to 25% rebate10% to 25% rebate ($1.20 to $2.30 /GJ, on residential bills)($1.20 to $2.30 /GJ, on residential bills)–– depends on efficiency of the heater, fluctuating North American depends on efficiency of the heater, fluctuating North American

market, market, government policies and subsidies, and cost of carbon emissions

Prices of Prices of delivereddelivered solar heatsolar heat:–– 20 $/GJ to 23 $/GJ with 0% interest rate20 $/GJ to 23 $/GJ with 0% interest rate

34 $/GJ with 6% interest rate34 $/GJ with 6% interest rate–– $500 rebate$500 rebate (8%) from Government of Canada

–– fixed price for 25 yearsfixed price for 25 years

Depending on solar and natural gas rebates, and snow cover:–– ROIROI: 5% to 6% per year–– Payback:Payback: 16 to 19 years16 to 19 years



Emission Reductions

For a 2-collector system on a standard household:

– 66% reduction in water heating emissions

– 1000 kg of CO2 reduction per year (with partial snow cover)

– 1200 kg of CO2 reduction per year (with no snow cover)

In pushing other species to extinction, Prof. Paul Ehrlich…humanity is busy sawing off the limb on which it is perched. Stanford University



The Economics of Energy Efficient Furnaces

31%Reduction in an average household natural gas bill

3.50 $/GJ

$449/year savings

14% return on purchase (equivalent to 20% bank interest rate)

7 year cost payback

Cost of furnace energy efficiency – already better than the price of natural gas…!

high efficiency gas furnace (92% efficient)Replacing a standard efficiency (62% efficient)

8.73 $/GJCost of natural gas in Edmonton (including delivery and taxes) in 2007. This is 29% of the cost of electricity.

Natural gas energy efficiency is a secure investment.



Questions ???

Next:Getting your own system

The future does not belong to those who are content with today, fearful in the face Robert Kennedyof new ideas and bold projects. It will belong to those with a personal commitment. 1966



Decide why you want solar in your house

– $ savings, emission savings, peer leadership…

The solar industry is contacted by many many tyre kickers...

– This is not helpful to anyone

– If you come prepared then you will show that you are serious and so get noticed and respected

In the past 30 years, 1/3 of Earth resources have been consumed. In the next 50 Worldwide Fundyears, the population will double, & natural resources will fall by 50 - 75%/person. for Nature, 1998

Your own solar system…?



How much energy do you need?

Size of your solar water heating system depends on:

How much water do you use in a year?– average residential hot water usage is 225 L/day (= 40% of total

water use)

– If you use less water to begin with, then the size of your solarheating system is smaller! …and way less expensive

Get your natural gas and water bills together for at least 1 year(2 years is even better).

Add up all the natural gas and water that you use.– gives equipment suppliers a good idea of how much energy you use

Your own solar system…

Some men have thousands of reasons why they cannot do what they want to…when all they need is one reason why they can.



Taking photos…

Give the supplier some photos of your house, showing:– the view of the front yard from the south,

showing the general house and trees,

– the roof and walls, showing obstructions, slopes, and shapes

– the view to the south from the house, showing trees and other buildings

– the furnace room to show them an idea of how much space there is on the floor and walls available for equipment

Your own solar system…

Climate change: Gordon Campbell The costs of doing nothing are getting higher every day. BC Premier



Look at the Eco-Solar Products and Services list for suppliers(can be e-mailed to you)

Contact 3 suppliers– A few in the Yellow Pages– Look at web sites to see what they supply. – Ask for 3 references and check them out, to make sure they know

what they are speaking about.

Make sure they are members of the solar industry association:– Canadian Solar Industries Association (www.cansia.ca)

– This helps ensure that they have good relationships with their peers, and so are wanting to be in business for a long time.

Finding suppliersYour own solar system…

Anyone who thinks they are too small to make a difference… Africanhas never spent the night with a mosquito. Proverb



Good suppliers – know how to design and size your system, – not just supply you with some parts!

Ask lots of questions to make sure they know what they are talking about.

Do they have a system package for you (rather than bits and pieces)?

Do they have professional brochures of their equipment?(this shows they are serious about their products)

Evaluating suppliers …/1Your own solar system…

FAST GOOD CHEAP… you are only allowed to choose two of them!



Good suppliers:

– Do they have a list of all the parts that are neededso you get an idea of how organised they are, so you see what may be missing and that you still need to organise on your own?

– Do they have a relationship with qualified installers with whom they have worked before?

You don't want to go out and try and find one on your own!Suppliers don't necessarily make good installers!

The pristine world we envision for all of our tomorrows…is built on our decisions today.

Your own solar system…Evaluating suppliers …/2



Is it a firm quote or an estimate that they can change?

Are they interested in talking with you about your energy needs or just selling you a system? Do they consider efficiency to bethe first and most important part of your energy needs?

Make sure they tell you how many GJ of heat per year their system will produce on your own house

– To compare with others, calculate their system price in $ per annual GJ produced.

Look at product delivery times, warranties, ask about service call-back promises, how close are they to you…

Ask them what makes them better compared to others.

Your own solar system…Evaluating quotes



It's our turn now…It's our choice…

our walletour community and children

and the planetawait us…

If not hereIf not here…… If not youIf not you…… If not nowIf not now……then where?then where? then who?then who? then when?then when?



…we hold the future in our hands

But will our children want to live in what we are giving to them?

Gordon Howell, P.Eng.Howell-Mayhew Engineering

EdmontonPhone: +1 780 484 0476E-mail: [email protected]

©1995-2008 Photo credits: Gordon Howell and several others

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