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Solar Energy Systems
Based on return on investment, thermal solar
systems provide a stronger financial return than
photovoltaic (PV) systems. Certainly, a robust
combination of both systems could represent an
opportunity to be totally independent of the
utilities (priceless, but also quite costly).
Unless you are very well off, a more reasonable
approach would be to select and install solar
energy systems that take a significant bite out of
your existing energy costs, without tying up too
much capital.
Thermal Solar - Thermal solar systems use the
energy of the sun to heat water or a water
antifreeze mix. Typically, thermal solar systems
serve domestic hot water needs first, with space
heating needs being secondary. Larger systems
can be designed to heat swimming pools, spas
and can also provide energy for radiant heating
systems. In addition, thermal storage vaults can
be integrated with radiant heating systems,
which can store excess summer heat, and provide
heating energy during cooler months.
APEX Thermal Services can install both kit and
custom systems, based on your needs. Kit systems
are usually less costly, but can also be somewhat
limited in the areas of capacity, robustness and
adaptability. Custom systems can provide more
adequate system capacity and storage, while
being appropriately designed to supplement
existing systems. Custom systems also lend
themselves to future expansion!!!
By design, drain-back systems are a wise selection
for the Hudson Valley Region, as they provide a
level of freeze protection. Drain-back systems
allow the energy conveying fluid (typically a
distilled water and glycol mix) to drain back into a
storage tank during cool conditions, when there is
no energy to be gained from the solar panels. If
the solar panels are warmer than the solar storage
tank, a pump will circulate the fluid through the
panels, to gather and store the available energy.
Very Important:
Do not expect too much from your system!
Rome was not built in a day. Installing a solar
energy system is the right thing to do and is a step
in the right direction. The best financial
investment will likely not be a system that handles
100% of your heating energy needs, due to
equipment costs, space constraints, etc. Most
systems will likely be designed with some
compromise, while handling close to 100% of the
domestic water heating during summer months,
and 20% to 40% of winter heating requirements.
Photo-Voltaic (PV) Systems - PV systems use silicon
cells to create electricity from sunlight. Many
devices we use integrate the use of this
technology on a small scale (i.e., solar powered
calculators, watches, landscape lights, etc.). Most
recently, technological breakthroughs have been
resulting in increased output and efficiency of PV
cells. These new products should be coming to
market now, and over the next several years, with
more developments sure to follow.
Existing PV panel technologies still require a
significant amount of real estate, to provide even
a modest sized system. Be prepared to cover
most of your roof, and then some, if you expect
100% of your electrical energy requirements to be
met. This will also have a significant impact on
your bank account, though solar electric
incentives can also be very significant.
Grid-tie PV systems allow the system owner to sell
electricity back to the utility. They can be
complex and challenging to get approved
through the local utility. PV systems can also
integrate battery banks to store electricity, for
usage after sunset. Though certainly viable as
they are, both solar cell and battery technologies
could benefit from another wave of efficiency
improvements. Solar cells are very large and quite
expensive, versus their output, and we could really
use a breakthrough in battery/storage
technologies, which would also serve the electric
car market very well.
Based on return on investment, thermal solar
systems provide a stronger financial return than
photovoltaic (PV) systems. Certainly, a robust
combination of both systems could represent an
opportunity to be totally independent of the
utilities (priceless, but also quite costly).
Unless you are very well off, a more reasonable
approach would be to select and install solar
energy systems that take a significant bite out of
your existing energy costs, without tying up too
much capital.
Thermal Solar - Thermal solar systems use the
energy of the sun to heat water or a water
antifreeze mix. Typically, thermal solar systems
serve domestic hot water needs first, with space
heating needs being secondary. Larger systems
can be designed to heat swimming pools, spas
and can also provide energy for radiant heating
systems. In addition, thermal storage vaults can
be integrated with radiant heating systems,
which can store excess summer heat, and provide
heating energy during cooler months.
APEX Thermal Services can install both kit and
custom systems, based on your needs. Kit systems
are usually less costly, but can also be somewhat
limited in the areas of capacity, robustness and
adaptability. Custom systems can provide more
adequate system capacity and storage, while
being appropriately designed to supplement
existing systems. Custom systems also lend
themselves to future expansion!!!
By design, drain-back systems are a wise selection
for the Hudson Valley Region, as they provide a
level of freeze protection. Drain-back systems
allow the energy conveying fluid (typically a
distilled water and glycol mix) to drain back into a
storage tank during cool conditions, when there is
no energy to be gained from the solar panels. If
the solar panels are warmer than the solar storage
tank, a pump will circulate the fluid through the
panels, to gather and store the available energy.
Very Important:
Do not expect too much from your system!
Rome was not built in a day. Installing a solar
energy system is the right thing to do and is a step
in the right direction. The best financial
investment will likely not be a system that handles
100% of your heating energy needs, due to
equipment costs, space constraints, etc. Most
systems will likely be designed with some
compromise, while handling close to 100% of the
domestic water heating during summer months,
and 20% to 40% of winter heating requirements.
Photo-Voltaic (PV) Systems - PV systems use silicon
cells to create electricity from sunlight. Many
devices we use integrate the use of this
technology on a small scale (i.e., solar powered
calculators, watches, landscape lights, etc.). Most
recently, technological breakthroughs have been
resulting in increased output and efficiency of PV
cells. These new products should be coming to
market now, and over the next several years, with
more developments sure to follow.
Existing PV panel technologies still require a
significant amount of real estate, to provide even
a modest sized system. Be prepared to cover
most of your roof, and then some, if you expect
100% of your electrical energy requirements to be
met. This will also have a significant impact on
your bank account, though solar electric
incentives can also be very significant.
Grid-tie PV systems allow the system owner to sell
electricity back to the utility. They can be
complex and challenging to get approved
through the local utility. PV systems can also
integrate battery banks to store electricity, for
usage after sunset. Though certainly viable as
they are, both solar cell and battery technologies
could benefit from another wave of efficiency
improvements. Solar cells are very large and quite
expensive, versus their output, and we could really
use a breakthrough in battery/storage
technologies, which would also serve the electric
car market very well.
Happy homeowner Paul. 10 Thermal Solar
Panel Drain-back System. Basement has 2,000
gallon storage tank, Croton-on-Hudson, NY
Panel Drain-back System. Basement has 2,000
gallon storage tank, Croton-on-Hudson, NY
Peter Skinner of E2G, PV Panels on left,
Thermal Panels on right. Chatham, NY
Thermal Panels on right. Chatham, NY
Alan Paul, Paul Borghard (owner 3 Corner
Field Farm) and Peter Skinner. Six-panel
system provides hot water for rinsing sheep
milking system.
Field Farm) and Peter Skinner. Six-panel
system provides hot water for rinsing sheep
milking system.
