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Solar Water Heating in the US

Solar Water Heating in the US. By Okan Okutgen ’11 Summer of Learning Symposium October 1, 2010. Background. Host Organization: AltaTerra Research A research consultancy that specializes in sustainable business and the commercial marketplace for clean technology solutions

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Solar Water Heating in the US

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  1. Solar Water Heating in the US By OkanOkutgen ’11 Summer of Learning Symposium October 1, 2010

  2. Background • Host Organization: AltaTerra Research Aresearch consultancy that specializes in sustainable business and the commercial marketplace for clean technology solutions • Location: Palo Alto, California • Adviser: Dr. Jon Guice Managing Director of Research

  3. My Internship • Goal: Prepare a draft report on market overview of solar water heating in North America • Method: • Extensive research and data collection (past AltaTerra reports and external publications) • Interviews conducted in InterSolarNorthAmerica Conference • Regular meetings with my adviser and constant editing

  4. Solar Water Heating (SWH) • Water heating is the second most energy intensive activity at homes (US Department of Energy, 2009) • SWH can heat water up to 140°F to 180°F (60°C-80°C) (Patterson, 2010) • Back up heater needed (electric or gas) • Cost: $1.500-3.000 (US Department of Energy, 2008) (US Department of Energy, 2010)

  5. Current State of Solar Water Heating in the US Solar water heating is not widespread in US due to several reasons: Poor product quality in 1970s and 1980s Lack of certifications and standards Low levels of public support Lack of private investment Lack of awareness (Guice, 2010) High up-front costs Long pay-back times ( ~12 years) (US Department of Energy, 2009) Source: REN21. 2010. Renewables Global Status Report: 2010 Update (Paris: REN21 Secretariat, Deutsche GesellschaftfürTechnischeZusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH.

  6. California Can be the Next Big Market • Key to the development of SWH market is extensive government incentive programs. Examples: Austria and Germany • California Solar Initiative Thermal Program: Displace 585 million therms over the 25 year life of gas backup systems and 275.7 million kWh per year with electric backup systems. (California Public Utilities Commission, 2010)

  7. What I Learnt • An introduction to renewable energy field and to the Silicon Valley • Energy problem can be solved only with a holistic approach that includes science, economics and policy. • Improved research, communication and analytical thinking skills

  8. Bibliography • “California Solar Initiative Thermal Program Handbook.” California Public Utilities Commission. May, 2010.http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/NR/rdonlyres/E05FAAD0-5867-42E7-8 F83-74049585FF37/0/CSIThermal_SingleFamily_Handbook.pdf (Access: 9/16/10) • Patterson, John. “Solar Hot Water Basics.” HomepowerMagazine.http://homepower.com/basics/hotwater/ (Access: 9/16/10) • “Solar FAQs — Solar Heating.” US Department of Energy. August 13, 2008.http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/solar/cfm/faqs/third_level.cfm/name=Solar%20Heating/cat=The%20Basics (Access: 9/16/10) • “Solar Water Heater.” US Department of Energy. April 22, 2010. http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/water_heating/index.cfm/mytopic=12850 (Access: 916/10) • “Warming Up?: Large-Scale Solar Water Heating in North America.” Guice, Jon, AnnekeHohl & Eric Paul May, 2010http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2010/ 05/warming-up-large-scale-solar-water-heating-in-north-america (Access: 9/16/10) • “Water Heater Market Profile | 2009.” US Department of Energy, September 2009. http://www.drintl.com/HtmlEmail/Water_Heater_Market_Profile_Sept2009.pdf (Access: 9/16/10)

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