A: Our solar thermal systems produce heat for hot water and living spaces while solar electric systems produce electricity.  Solar thermal works well with your existing natural gas or electric: 

Solar thermal systems have been available commercially for well over 100 years.  This is a relatively simple and highly efficient technology that absorbs the heat from the sun that would otherwise be wasted.  Our systems dramatically lower energy costs in residential, commercial, and industrial applications.

Solar Electric systems (Photovoltaic or PV systems) produce electricity.  This is a more complicated technology than solar thermal because it converts sunlight into electricity.  Increasingly, solar electric systems are being connected to the power grid.  If the system produces more electricity than is being consumed, it can be sold to the electric company and your electric meter can spin backwards!  If the system is producing less electricity than is being consumed, electricity will be supplied from the grid. 

Our Solar Thermal systems can have a payback period of 6-12 years when state and federal incentives are applied.  At the moment, PV systems have a longer payback period.  This will change as electricity rates increase in Illinois and as solar electric technology decreases in price.

Q: What are the benefits of getting a solar system now?

A:The state currently pays 30% of the cost of the system up to $10,000, but this program may only last through the endo of 2007.

Q: What happens if it is cloudy for several consecutive days?  Will I still have heat and hot water?

A: With a solar thermal system, you’ll always have heat, you’ll always have hot water, you’ll always be comfortable – you’ll just pay less for that comfort.  Our solar systems work in partnership with your existing furnace and water heater.  We heat the water going into your hot water tank or swimming pool and preheat the air for your forced air furnace.

Q: Will a solar system work with an on-demand (tankless) hot water heater?  Is it a good application for solar?

A: An on-demand water heater still uses the same amount of energy to heat your water, it only eliminates the standby heating losses and inefficiencies caused by conventional water heaters.  You still have to pay for the energy to heat your water.  Solar is the least expensive way to heat water and provides the fastest payback of any renewable energy. 

Solar is compatible with many on-demand hot water heaters.  For it to be compatible with solar, the unit must be able to detect the temperature of the intake water.

Q: Is a solar thermal system a good financial investment?

A: Your existing natural gas system will never pay for itself.  Over the same amount of time that the solar system is paying for itself through the utility savings, you’d be spending the same amount of money on gas for your conventional system.  And at the end of that time you’d have nothing to show for it!  If it makes sense to own your property, we feel it makes sense to own your energy.  Why rent when you can own?

Solar thermal is a great investment because as energy costs rise and real estate values appreciate, so does the value of your solar system.  The National Appraisal Institute states that your home’s value increases $20 for every $1 reduction in annual utility bills.  Your home value is likely to increase if you are selling a free stream of energy with it.

For residential customers, an Illinois state rebate of 30% and a federal tax credit of up to $2000 are available.  There is also a $2000 grant available to bungalow owners in the City of Chicago.  Commercial customers are eligible for a 30% Illinois state rebate, a 30% federal tax credit, and an 85% tax write off.  Now is a great time to go solar!

A lifetime supply of hot water for single family home cost $4,000 - $6,000 after state and federal incentives. A lifetime supply of heat and hot water costs $9,000 - $12,000 after state and federal incentives. Family size, roof type and the location of the solar panels influence the final price.

Q: What is the cost of a solar thermal system?

A: The cost depends on the configuration of your roof and the hot water and heating demands on the system.  Our hot water systems can provide your hot water 7 out of every 10 days.   The typical residential solar thermal system that provides only hot water for four people will cost approximately $5000 after state and federal incentives.  A typical 4-panel residential system that provides both heat and hot water will cost about $11,000 - $12,000 after state and federal incentives.  Commercial systems have even more federal incentives available and vary greatly in price due to size and application.

As gas and electricity prices rise, the return on investment increases and the payback period shortens.  Solar savings are also tax-free, unlike most other investments.  Overall, we estimate that solar hot water will have a payback period of 6 to 12 years, and solar heat and hot water systems will have a payback period of 7 to 14 years.  On commercial buildings, the payback is faster because of additional federal tax incentives.  The payback period depends on energy costs, but we know that gas and electricity aren’t going to go down in price.  Natural gas has doubled in price from 2002-2006 and electricity prices are expected to continue to increase due to deregulation.

Q: Can businesses benefit from a solar thermal system?

A: Businesses that use large quantities of hot water can experience dramatic cost savings by going solar.  Laundromats, apartment buildings, restaurants, factories and hotels are examples of some of our most satisfied customers.  Many of these businesses use the majority of their hot water when the sun is shining and are ideal for solar.  Exceptional state and federal incentives exist for commercial applications, including a 30% Illinois state rebate, a federal 30% tax credit, and an 85% tax write off.  Solar offers an opportunity to reduce the business risk associated with skyrocketing energy costs.  Many businesses are benefiting from the positive publicity and media coverage that the solar systems generate, particularly as concern about global warming increases.

Q: How much maintenance is required on a solar thermal system? 

A: Solar is simple, fully automatic, completely reliable and requires no regular maintenance for 20-30 years.  It is possible that you may need a service call over that time, but there is no need to change the fluid, clean the panels, or oil the pumps.  We have been in business for 30 years and the majority of our systems from the 1970s and early 1980s continue to harvest the sun at peak performance.  We offer a:

Q: How do the state rebates work?

A: The process is relatively simple and we can prepare the paperwork for you.   The State of Illinois pre-approves their rebate applicants.  You will know for sure if you are approved for the rebate before the system installation begins.  The funds are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, although the federal tax credit is not limited in this way.

Q:  How does solar heating work on in our climate?  Doesn’t it make more sense in Florida or Southern California?

A: The Chicago region is an ideal climate for solar thermal systems.  We need hot water everyday of the year and we need to heat our homes seven months of the year.  These systems work very well, even in the winter months.  Besides, many of the coldest days of the year are also the sunniest.  The solar hot water system will be used year-round to lower your utility bills.

 

What is the difference between solar thermal (heat and hot water) and solar photovoltaic (electricity) systems?

What are the benefits of getting a solar system now?

What happens if it is cloudy for several consecutive days?  Will I still have heat and hot water?

Will a solar system work with an on-demand hot water heater?  Is it a good application for solar?

Is a solar thermal system a good financial investment?

What is the cost of a solar thermal system?

Can businesses benefit from a solar thermal system?

How much maintenance is required on a solar thermal system?

How do the state rebates work?

How does solar heating work on in our climate?  Doesn’t it make more sense in Florida or Southern California?