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PV systems have recently gained strong popularity because of lowered equipment costs coupled with ever increasing electric rates. Additionally, Louisiana residents enjoy some of the most generous financial incentives in the country to install PV. Unlike solar hot water systems, PV is an electrical system hard-wired to your electric circuit breaker box. The core of a PV panel uses silica wafers, when exposed to sunlight generates direct current (DC) electricity. The more solar modules a PV system has, the more electricity is generated. This DC electricity is then “inverted” into alternating current (AC), which can be used for household use to reduce (or even eliminate) your electric bill. Net metering is the practice of using a single meter that tracts both what you’ve taken from the grid and what you’ve “fed-back” into the grid. When your PV system generates power beyond what your house is consuming, this surplus power is “fed” back into the utility grid, making your electric meter actually spin backwards. Most homeowners will install a solar hot water system in addition to a PV system because this will allow the PV system to satisfy a higher proportion of household electric demand, making the PV system even more cost-effective

PV systems typically fall into the following configurations:

• “Grid-Tied” PV systems use special inverters to allow electricity to flow back into the electric grid, augmenting the utility company’s electric capacity. Grid-tied PV systems may have battery back-up capability (with additional cost), but are not necessary to the system. Grid-tied PV systems are the most cost effective way to generate your own “green” renewable energy from the roof of your home.
• “Off-Grid” or stand-alone systems They are completely independent of a utility company and almost always use some kind of electric back-up system for surge power and night time electric needs.

PV systems are sized by wattage capacity during full sun, or maximum insolation. In Louisiana a straight grid-tied PV system will typically range in capacity from 2 kilowatts to 5 kilowatts and generate approximately 300 and 750 kilowatt-hours per month, respectively and significantly reduce your electricity costs with clean, green, renewable energy generated on your own roof.

A solar hot water investment will save you money and energy for many years. Generally, 20% to 30% of your home energy is used to heat water for laundry, cleaning, and bathing. It is probably the second largest consumer in your home. There are other benefits such as a larger hot water storage tank to reduce the likelihood of running out of hot water and the supply of hot water during power outages as long as there is sufficient sunlight. Properly selected, sized and installed, the solar hot water heater provides a significant return on your money, especially when the Federal and Louisiana tax credits are used to reduce the initial costs.

Types of systems:

Design and technology for solar thermal has greatly improved in the recent decade bringing the most reliable, efficient and cost effective systems not previously known. Newer systems use “drain back” technology, which provide the highest efficiency and reliability for most applications. Louisiana Solar Works has a wide array of systems and configurations to meet your hot water needs and your budget. Systems compatible for our Louisiana climate include:

• "Drain Back" Drain Back Systems. State-of-the-art, fail-safe freeze protection with thermal limiting (closed loop, indirect): Collector water is separate from potable water and the collector water drains into a special tank to prevent freezing and overheating concerns once potable water is up to temperature or risk of freezing exists.
• System of choice, regardless of climate
• Performance and reliability warrant small additional cost
• Extends tank service life, best temperature control
• PV pump system not feasible
• "Pressurized Glycol" Indirect Heating, differential or photovoltaic (PV) Controlled Antifreeze Protection (closed loop, indirect): Collector water is separate from potable water and contains non-toxic antifreeze. Sometimes referred to as “pressured glycol” systems. The small electric circulation pump can be powered by a small PV collector.
• Use where drain back is not an option
• More frequent service interval
• Risk of reduced tank service life due to overheating
• "Open Direct" Direct Heating, Differential or PV Controlled (open loop, direct): Potable water is circulated from the storage tank to the collector when heat is available and required. No additional heat exchanger is required as the collector serves this purpose. The small electric circulation pump can be powered by a small PV collector.
• Freeze concerns
• Risk of reduced tank service life due to overheating
• Scale concerns
• "ICS" Integrated Collector Storage “ICS” (open loop, direct): Potable water is both pre-heated and stored in a roof top unit before going into a conventional water heater. This basis system uses regular water pressure to circulate water and does not require pumps or temperature controllers.
• Low winter performance
• Freezing concerns
• Ideal for use with tank less

Each system has its own merits and limitations. There are many factors that go into selecting a system that will meet your needs. All solar hot water systems normally include a conventional back-up electric heating source to ensure you will always have hot water available, rain or shine. Call us today for a free in-home site survey!