Connect the Dots

So, poor Matt. It was the very last few hours of the very last day of his six-month internship at Southface, a non-profit organization that offers environmental solutions mostly related to construction, when he had the misfortune of answering that phone call. From me.

"Hi, I'm Pattie Baker, and I'm a concerned citizen," I started.

Run, Matt, run.

"To whom may I talk about solar power?" I asked.

Missing the last train out of Dodge, Matt answered, "You can talk to me."

Sweet, sweet Matt.

Turns out I was on a bit of a tear after I read that in Georgia, electric utilities use 68% of all surface water, making them the largest water user in the state. As each dry day passes (and the dredging of Lake Lanier is about to begin), I keep looking up at our abundant sunshine and wondering how hard this is to connect the dots. No new water. Electric companies use more than two thirds of what we have. Lots of sun.

It was the sun that sealed it for me five years ago when I started my garden. I live in a neighborhood that had been clear-cut when it was built about 14 years ago, and since then many of the neighbors have wrestled with ways to block the blazing sun from their yards. Rather than fighting it, I planted a garden. And now, I see that the sun we have been given here in the southern United States, where twelve-month gardening is not hard and winter is comprised of about a month, is actually a gift, especially now.

So why does every article about solar power confuse me? Why can't I get straight, simple, actionable answers? Seems like solar thermal (using solar energy for heat--most commonly, to heat hot water) is the easier, more efficient way to go rather than installing a solar photovoltaic system, which converts the sun's energy directly into electricity. But even with solar thermal, it's confusing. Closed loop systems. Drain-back systems. External heat exchangers. Solar collectors. Could cost this. Could cost that. Depends on the installer. May have a tax incentive. Payback time is long. Hey, if you're like me, you probably say at this point, "Sounds like a great idea. If I had the money. If I understood it. If the technology were better. Maybe in five years . . ."

But we don't have five years. Next summer may be catastrophic here. Now is the time for planning. Or, if you were like Clayton County, Georgia, and developed a system of wetlands years ago, you'd be riding out this drought in style. Big, fat kudos to Clayton County.

And so, back to Matt, who was a construction major in college, by the way, who told me he was at Southface because "I don't want to build the normal energy-hog buildings and homes. It doesn't make any sense."

"I'll do it," he said. "I'll give you straight answers about solar thermal. But first, realize that you want the most energy-efficient house you can have before adding solar thermal to it. Seal leaks. Wrap hot water heaters in insulation. Use low-flow toilets and compact fluorescent bulbs. Get an energy audit. All those tips first."

Then Matt, with mere moments to go before he head home to his family's Thanksgiving celebration, and then to the rest of his life, emailed me this:

The first consideration is size. A family of four uses about 80 gallons of hot water per day. One gallon of hot water requires one square foot of collector area.

So, a family of four will probably require two 4-foot by 10-foot solar collectors and a tank with 70- to 140- gallon capacity. Families with low hot water use could manage with one collector, and households using a large amount of hot water might need three.

The second consideration is climate. Residents in Georgia (north of Atlanta), South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama and all points north will probably want to go with either an indirect freeze protection system or a drainback system. These freeze-safe systems are more expensive than the simpler systems. A local installer will be able to determine what types of systems are best for your climate.

Fully installed, a two-panel, indirect system will probably cost from $3000 to $4500. The system itself will likely cost between $2000 and $3000, while labor will add another $1000 to $2000. A simpler, non-freeze protected system could easily be $1000 less expensive overall. Only a local retailer and installer can provide a hard price quote.

Payback

Payback is dependent upon the local cost of gas or electricity and how much of the total hot water bill is offset.

Assume your hot water costs are $400 per year using a conventional gas or electric tank heater. If your $3000 solar thermal system cuts these bills by 75 percent, then you will see a payback in 10 years.

A good rule is that larger systems used efficiently have shorter paybacks, and typical residential payback time is between 7 to 10 years. Your payback time will be shorter if you shower, wash dishes and wash clothes in the afternoon and early evening, when the conventional heater is barely needed.

Remember, everyone has different heating costs and some systems are cheaper than others. Payback times will vary greatly.

Those with an eye on the global environment as well as the home energy bill can be assured that a solar thermal system is an effective way to cut their home’s greenhouse gas emissions by one to two tons per year.

Incentives

As part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the U.S. government offers a 30% tax credit for qualified solar hot water system expenditures. The maximum tax credit is $2,000 for residential systems. Equipment must be placed into service between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2007.

Thank you, Matt. I like knowing you're in the world, and that you're committed to making a difference.

So, solar thermal. About $5000. About a ten-year time to recoup the investment. Is it worth it? I think so, but who has $5000 to spare? Hey, if a solar thermal company wants to barter with me, I'll write your website or communications materials. Email me at freshbakedcopy@mindspring.com. Seriously. Isn't that how folks used to work together as a community? By bartering?

But first I would have to get approval from the homeowner's association about adding the panels to the roof. They won't allow chickens--what's their stance on solar? Not sure.

At least we've already changed the lightbulbs.

Connect the Dots