Solar Power in NH? (condo, loans, house)

[BF66389]

Does anyone here have either a solar electricity setup or a solar hot water heater?

I'm wondering if the intensity of the sun here in NH is worthwhile capturing.

Likewise, while I know a solar hot water heater won't be usable in the winter...if anyone has experiences using one in the spring/summer/fall.

[GregW]

I would carefully check the numbers on providing hot water with a solar collector in the winter. The collector could be sized for winter and partially shut down for summer or only provide some of the required energy during January and February. One of the problems with a solar energy collection is people wanting to shift ALL of the heating to solar. The most practical solution can be to design the solar collector to heat the water from 50 deg to 90 deg and top it off with a conventional electric or gas fired water heater.

The same concept can apply to heating the house. Collect some of the energy as direct gain with south facing insulated glass and provide the rest with conventional sources.
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We actually capture a substantial amount of out household winter heat through two sets of sliding glass doors facing southeast on the first floor of the condo. Electric spot heating does for the rest.
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[BF66389]

Greg- unfortunately I did. The issue is that the best "place" for solar anything is on our huge garage roof (perfect angle to sun); unfortunately it's also detached from the house and uninsulated...so the run of pipe from the heater to the ground then to the house...would be a HUGE source of heat loss in the winter. In the summer it would be fine though.

I need to figure out these solar rebates/loans...there are a ton of them all from different places...

[GregW]

I would check the prices of "super" insulated pipe. There have been major developments in this area and prices have come down. I would suggest collecting the heat on the garage roof and transferring it by a insulated circulation loop to a storage tank in the house. Then tap hot water as needed in the house.

IIRC - This Old House had a very long run of insulated tubing from the house to the garage that carried hot water for heating. Maybe a search of TOH would get you some numbers.

[BF66389]

Originally Posted by GregW

I would check the prices of "super" insulated pipe. There have been major developments in this area and prices have come down. I would suggest collecting the heat on the garage roof and transferring it by a insulated circulation loop to a storage tank in the house. Then tap hot water as needed in the house.

IIRC - This Old House had a very long run of insulated tubing from the house to the garage that carried hot water for heating. Maybe a search of TOH would get you some numbers.

Thanks Greg...the ideas are just running through my head.