Is Solar Hot Water Cost Effective?

Mar 10, 2014 | Solar News, Uncategorised

gemasolar

Our team has been asked many times if solar hot water is a cost effective solution, and for many of our homes in New-Zealand the answer is simply YES. New research published by ARENA (Australia Renewable Energy Agency) (Feb, 2014) Suggests that solar thermal is a cost effective solution for powering a hungry grid.

The solution might be a CST (Concentrated Solar Power). CST offers large scale energy storage and can play a uniquely beneficial role in network operation.

2011 was the launch of Gemasolar, the first commercial solar plant with central tower receiver and molten salt heat storage technology. Gemasolar, with its 19.9 MW of power can supply 110 GWh per year – enough to supply power to 27,000 homes. In New Zealand it will be powering all of Palmerston North which has been ranked 8 in population in the 2013 census.

So – we can avoid investing money in expensive grid upgrades if we use the money to build a solar thermal plant instead.

We at Solar Group help you take smaller steps and invest in solar water heating for your personal use.

“The Journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”. Lao Tzu

Till next time, the Solar Group Team.