Solar water heating observations

Just a thought for those thinking about installing solar water heaters in temperate/northern climes. Even when the sun is not obviously shining, solar collectors are still absorbing radiation. This may (on cloudy/cold days) be only sufficient to pre-heat water, BUT, this is still worthwhile in that pre-heating water reduces energy consumption costs considerably.My costing figures for the 2012 weather washout in the UK show my solar installation as an efficient investment. If I was solely relying on conventional heating sources, the 2012 costs could have been eye-watering.

When people/neighbours question me about my use of alternative energy generation sources, I always tell them that the primary installation of a solar water heating array was my best decision for seeing a tangible return on investment; combined with reducing carbon footprint. Heating water is an expensive business, and the solar array has reduced costs (& carbon) considerably.

PV panels have been installed secondarily as an offset for electrical energy consumption. Next thing will be a wind generator, possibly.

However, if a person has only one choice for reducing energy consumption & carbon footprint, I would suggest that the solar water heating array is the primary choice. Other technologies can be added later.

Forgive me if this is too simplistic and obvious.

Agreed. I'm installing a system this spring. Thanks Nick and Welcome to Permies.

Nick,

I couldn't have said it better.

Bob

All my neighbors have PV (I am on grid but just at the limit!) and they all have problems with the battery costs and recycling.
Heating water should be the first solar device to be used!

Nick Mason wrote:this is still worthwhile in that pre-heating water reduces energy consumption costs considerably.

Indeed. It takes (almost exactly) as much energy to heat water from 10 degrees celsius to 15 degrees celsius as from 90 to 95 degrees celsius....the only difference is a little bit more loss to the environs so any heat gain comes off any other energy source you may use to top up.

My solar heating observations:

When I give the dog a bath, I wait till the hose gets hot then I fill a tub outside with hot water.