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Solar water heating is an important area for renewable energy development. Heating water is one of the basic needs in our everyday life. Solar hot water systems can be used to heat swimming pools and to provide hot water in homes and industry. You are strongly urged to design your own models by using the one given below as an example. The procedure described above for building a solar cooker is also very similar for solar water heating. Instead of cooking food, you can heat water. The only additional material required is a large zip-lock bag filled with one gallon of water and laid flat in the bottom of the box. For a simple solar water heater, start off with a single cardboard box, painted black on the inside. The box should be shallower than the cooker, but tall enough so that the plastic wrap does not touch the zip-lock bag. Fig 2. Simple Solar Water Heater Testing Procedure Place a gallon of cold water in your solar water heater. The testing procedure is the same as that described for the solar cooker. Think about any improvements that would increase the efficiency of your solar heater. Experimental Options You can experiment with your own designs, using various options like: • Use a black metal box instead of cardboard. • Use a different material for reflectors. • Use glass instead of plastic wrap for the glazing (or try it with no glazing). • Use the box without the reflector. • Use various other containers like dark cookware, a plastic garbage bag, soda bottle or hot water bottle instead of plastic zip-lock. • Try coloring the water with food coloring or ink. • You can be creative and experiment to find out which design and material is most effective! Renewable energy resources like the sun and wind play a major role in the development of a sustainable energy future. The younger generation, especially, have to understand that the issue of energy has a major impact on their futures. For this reason, there is a great need for education about renewable energy options, such as solar energy. As well, many of the environmental concerns of the earth are due to pollution from the burning of fossil fuels. The “Greenhouse Effect” is an important example of an environmental problem caused by pollution.
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August 15th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Yes! Keeping in mind the drastic environmental changes and rising fuel prices going Solar is one option open to all at minimal investments. The Solar Water heating systems are so easy to install and most of them come in a Do-it Yourself kit, With the technological advancement the once heavy, bulky hard to move panels are now available widely in light weight easy to carry by one personal only packages. The advancement in technology is not only limited to light weight, but for those concern about the asthetics of the panels, the good news is that the panels are now available with a variety of teim colors to choose from and can be easily matched to your roof. Saving about $25.oo on ones electricity bill on a residence of 4. We all use hot water, as one of our basic needs and what can be a better way, than helping our environment, saving our resources and ourself’s some money other than by investing in a Solar Water Heating System.
There are a couple useful websites I’m aware off, that I would like to share with you
1. http://www.dsireusa.org - is a comprehensive source of information on state, local
, utility ans federal incentives that promote renewable engery ans energy efficieny.
2. http://www.powerpartnerssolar.com - one of the many manufacturers of certified Solar Water Heating Systems available. One place I saw the light weight panels and trim color options I was mentioning earlier.
Lastly, the local utilites in some areas also provide additional rebates and incentives for adding a Solar Water Heating Sytem to your exisitng water tank.
Keep the look out on. Feel Good and save- money for you, environment for us.