Installing Both Solar Electric & Solar Hot Water?
Installing Solar Electric & Solar Hot Water at Same Location
So you want to get as much benefit from the sun as possible and you would like to install both solar electric and solar water heating. There are some things to consider when you do this. (see article on Solar Electric vs. Solar Water Heating?)
Solar electricity is more sensitive to shade than solar hot water so put the solar electric panels where there is the least shade. And put the solar hot water in the next best location.
Plan for both Solar Electric and Solar Hot Water at the same time so you avoid:
(1) creating extra work and costs by needing to relocate solar water panels or
(2) significantly reducing your solar electric energy harvest by putting the panels in a place that gets shaded at part of the day or year. (see article The Location of the Sun is Crucial for Every Solar Electric System)
You don't have to install them both at the same time, just plan for them at the same time. If money is a concern then install the one that will benefit you the most (Solar Electric vs. Solar Water Heating?)
I have seen systems that integrate solar electric and solar hot water into one panel, but these concern me. It's like if you own an-all-in-one stereo that has a CD player, DVD player, turntable, etc all built into one unit. When one part breaks you often have to replace the whole thing not just the broken part. Additionally, combining electricity and water into the same panel seems to be asking for problems. Solar hot water has its own set of constraints and concerns and solar electric has its own different set.
When you want to install both solar electric and solar hot water, careful planning is the key to success.
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Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com
So you want to get as much benefit from the sun as possible and you would like to install both solar electric and solar water heating. There are some things to consider when you do this. (see article on Solar Electric vs. Solar Water Heating?)
Solar electricity is more sensitive to shade than solar hot water so put the solar electric panels where there is the least shade. And put the solar hot water in the next best location.
Plan for both Solar Electric and Solar Hot Water at the same time so you avoid:
(1) creating extra work and costs by needing to relocate solar water panels or
(2) significantly reducing your solar electric energy harvest by putting the panels in a place that gets shaded at part of the day or year. (see article The Location of the Sun is Crucial for Every Solar Electric System)
You don't have to install them both at the same time, just plan for them at the same time. If money is a concern then install the one that will benefit you the most (Solar Electric vs. Solar Water Heating?)
I have seen systems that integrate solar electric and solar hot water into one panel, but these concern me. It's like if you own an-all-in-one stereo that has a CD player, DVD player, turntable, etc all built into one unit. When one part breaks you often have to replace the whole thing not just the broken part. Additionally, combining electricity and water into the same panel seems to be asking for problems. Solar hot water has its own set of constraints and concerns and solar electric has its own different set.
When you want to install both solar electric and solar hot water, careful planning is the key to success.
Do You Like This Blog? Tell Your Friends About It.
It's Free for Anyone to Subscribe by Going to www.SunCalSolar.org and Entering Your Email Address on the Left Side of the Screen (or subscribe by RSS feed).
Contact Us with Your Questions at: blog@SunCalSolar.com
Or Ask a Question by Clicking Here: Submit Question for Blog
Robert Morse
BSEE, MSEE
SunCal Solar, Incorporated
www.SunCalSolar.com
Posted by Robert at SunCalSolar.com at November 6, 2009 
Categories: Solar Power,Residential Solar
Tags: Design Independence Finances Installation Photovoltaic Install Energy
Categories: Solar Power,Residential Solar
Tags: Design Independence Finances Installation Photovoltaic Install Energy
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