Solar Thermal Energy in Delaware (2007)

This presentation was created by the Delaware Million Solar Roofs Coalition, an association that advocates for the use of solar energy, renewable energy and energy efficiency. The presentation was used to inform people in Delaware on the basics of solar thermal energy.

To begin, the differences between solar thermal technology and solar pv technology are looked at. This includes the physical characteristics, economics of, and worldwide installed capacity. Then the presentation examines the potential for solar thermal energy deployment in the state of Delaware.

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The Skinny: Solar Power for Domestic Hot Water and Heat (2006)

This fact sheet was created by The Center for Resource Conservation in Boulder, Colorado. It provides an overview of how solar thermal water heating works and the benefits of using such a system to residents of Colorado.

The information provided is targeted at residents of Colorado and surrounding areas, so the focus of the fact sheet is on how a closed-loop freeze protection system works. The fact sheet notes that this kind of system can be used for both domestic hot water and heating.

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Solar Water Heating Systems – Santa Monica (2007)

This presentation was created for Solar Santa Monica, a local government initiative by the city of Santa Monica, California that advocates for the use of solar energy. This presentation was used to familiarize Solar Santa Monica members on how solar thermal works and why they should advocate for it alongside solar electricity technologies.

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Fast-Tracking Solar Development in the Desert (2010)

This document was prepared in 2010 and describes the rush to gain traction in the solar thermal market in southwest of the United States.

There is an estimated 250,000 square miles of southwestern deserts deemed suitable for solar thermal development. It includes the driving factors for solar thermal, as well as plans previously discussed for development. There are also factors associated with solar thermal development like water usage and faulty energy reports that need to be addressed.

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Research, Design and Installation of a Solar Hot Water System (2003)

This paper details the research, design and installation of the solar thermal water-heating project at the Redwood Information Center (RIC) in Orick, California, USA in 2003.

After research, they chose to focus on active, indirect solar thermal systems, rather than a passive system. An active system utilizes pumps, rather than natural heat convection currents to move thermal liquid throughout the system. This report takes you through the factors (hot water demand, solar availability) and choices they had to weigh for the system before installation.

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A Guide to Selecting and Installing a Solar Hot Water Heater (2007)

This manual was written by Dan Gretsch, P.E., and was published by SolarHot, a renewable energy manufacturing company where Gretsch is VP of Engineering. It provides information for consumers on how to select and install a solar thermal water heater in their home.

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Solar Water Heating Systems (2006)

This fact sheet was created by the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA). It provides information for home and business owners in Maryland on solar thermal water heating systems.

The fact sheet begins by covering what a solar thermal water heating system typically is and looks like. From there, it delves into more detail on the differences between flat-plate collectors and evacuated-tube collectors; while recommending evacuated-tube collectors because of their higher efficiency and ability to reach hotter temperatures than flat-plate collectors.

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Progress Energy’s Solar Water Heating Program (2008)

This presentation was created by Progress Energy, an energy company in the Carolinas and Florida. It provides information on their solar water heating programs targeted at residential customers and schools.

For consumers in a residential area, Progress Energy offers many incentives. If the customer buys EnergyWise equipment for the whole electric, heating, and cooling system of their home, they will receive free installation, and an upfront $450 rebate. There is also a $200 rebate for customers in Orange County, Florida; and a possible $2,000 Federal tax credit.

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American Solar Works – Harness Your Energy for Your Business (2008)

This document was prepared by the American Solar Works Holdings LLC. While it gives background information, it primarily tries to encourage solar thermal use for commercial buildings and businesses.

Several commercial examples are used of what solar thermal can be used for including: heating hotel domestic hot water, providing showers for athletes and students, washing livestock, providing “green” clean clothes at a laundry mat, heating a building in the winter and augment your absorption chilling in the summer.

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Central Solar Power: The Climate Connection (2008)

This presentation was created by David Berry of Western Resource Advocates (WRA), a non-profit environmental law and policy organization. It provides information on climbing CO2 levels in the atmosphere, how this will affect the future climate of the American Southwest, and the role solar thermal can play in moderating rising greenhouse gas emissions.

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