Products & Solutions
Solar Thermal

Solar Thermal Energy: The Time Has Come

Solar thermal is a highly cost-effective way to deploy renewable energy, reduce long-term operating costs, and make progress toward sustainability or green building goals

It may not be making headlines - yet. But did you know solar heating is the most cost-effective source of on-site renewable energy? It also has the potential to be the largest contributor in the next growth era of renewable energy and emission reductions.

 

The principle behind solar thermal energy is simple: A solar collector absorbs heat from the sun, and fluid warmed by passing through tubes in the collectors is distributed to the appropriate system. The basic technology has existed for more than 100 years, and systems have been proven to last more than 25 years – longer than a conventional water heating system – at a fraction of the life-cycle cost.

 

Solar collectors can be installed anywhere on a facility with adequate access to unobstructed sunlight. And estimates show that tapping the United States’ full potential for solar water heating could:

 

  • Save 578 billion cubic feet of natural gas per year – 2.5 percent of the nation’s usage
  • Save 35 billion kWh of electricity per year, just under 1 percent of U.S. consumption
  • Prevent 52 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, equivalent to the emissions from 13 coal-fired power plants or 9.9 million cars

 

Solar heating is commonly used for swimming pool heating, boiler water preheating, domestic water and space heating and heat for a wide range of commercial and industrial processes. The technology presents vast opportunity for public and private organizations to save on fossil fuels, cut costs, and reduce carbon emissions - making it a renewable energy source whose time has come.

 

Read more on our web site about solar thermal energy.

See how Johnson Controls is helping one school save thousands each year by heating its pool with solar thermal energy.

 

Read our newest white paper on the value of solar heating.

 

INSTITUTE FOR BUILDING EFFICIENCY

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Houghton

 

Retrofitting a School District at No Cost to Taxpayers

It's possible! See how one Michigan school district is using guaranteed savings from energy-efficiency improvements to create a state-of-the-art learning environment without burdening taxpayers.

 

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Solar Thermal Energy
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