Focus on technology
So, yesterday the Ontario provincial government inked a $7 billion deal with Samsung to build solar and wind power clusters, which will create over 16,000 jobs and generate 4% of the province’s total energy consumption by 2016. This commitment by the Mcguinty government speaks to an idea which the Centre for Environment has been advocating for years: namely, that green technology is and will become an increasingly important economic sector in the years to come. With that in mind, we’re inaugurating a new feature here at Ecolink which seeks to shed light on and demystify some of these new technologies. Our first entry is on solar water heaters, but be sure to keep checking this space: next week we’ll be featuring a primer on compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs,) which I promise will be... wait for it… enlightening.
The technology: Solar water heaters
How it works:
A typical domestic solar water heater is surprisingly low tech. A large photovoltaic (PV) solar collector (approximately 65-75 sq. ft per kilowatt of energy required) is mounted on the roof of a building in a spot where it will be exposed to the most sunlight. The specifics of what happens after that vary according to the model of heater used, but basically, some kind of liquid (glycol) is fed through the collector, heated up, and returned to a storage tank where it then heats the water to be used in the house. Another type of system involves feeding the water directly through the collector, though this is less common in Canada due to our cold climate.
These units can be either on or off the grid; until recently, most solar heaters in use were off the grid, predominantly in rural areas that lacked energy infrastructure. Presently, however, the Ontario Power Authority’s Feed-in Tariff Program (FITT) gives homeowners the opportunity to sell excess power back to the grid at a fixed price. This also ensures that a back-up power system is in place, should the solar heater be unable to provide enough hot water.
Why it’s important:
The Ontario Ministry of Energy is making a big push for homeowners to install solar water heaters; refunds of up to $3000 have been available, and until a few weeks ago most units were PST exempt. Current Ministry targets are for 100,000 solar rooftops (though the timeframe for accomplishing this has not been specified). From an energy use perspective, the benefits are tangible: 25% of energy in the average household is used to heat water, and modern solar units can cut this figure by as much as half. In other words, total household energy consumption can be reduced by 10-15%. Given that the majority of homes in Ontario (around 3 out of 4) can be retrofitted with solar technology, solar heaters could represent a sizable reduction in the province’s overall energy use.
What the critics are saying:
Solar panels can be damaged by exposure to the elements, particularly in areas were hail is common. However, installation by a trained professional will minimize these risks.
Even with credits from Federal, Provincial and Municipal government, the cost of buying, installing and maintaining a solar hot water heater may still be prohibitive for some homeowners. The amount of time necessary to recoup these initial costs depends on several factors, including consumption patterns and the overall efficiency of the system. Additionally, it can take up to six years for energy savings to offset the amount used to produce the panels themselves. It is important to remember, of course, that solar panels can last for decades and should be thought of more as a long term investment or value-added feature of the home.
Where can I find out more?
http://www.windsorstar.com/technology/Samsung+talks+with+city/2471425/story.html - Info about the Samsung deal
http://www.gosolarontario.ca - Ontario's GoSolar Program
http://fit.powerauthority.on.ca/ - FIT Program, with information on rebates and other incentives available
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/WaterHeating/water_heating.htm - How to build your own, for the DIY-minded.
