Solar Water Heating Installations Save money on utility bills by using solar energy for heating water. In addition to helping preserve the planet's natural resources, solar water heating systems will save energy while providing significant economic and environmental benefits. Solar water heating systems are efficient, cost effective and reliable. Solar heating panels are even more cost effective if you have an electric water heater. Residential solar water heating systems can easily fit on almost any roof, only require 4 roof penetrations for attachment and last for decades when professionally installed. Residential systems are typically sized with one 4'x10' solar panel and one 66 gallon storage tank. Families with kids appreciate the seemingly endless supply of hot water as well as the money saving benefits. Solar water heating improves the air quality in your neighborhood by drastically reducing emissions from your water heater vent stack. The pictures below are commercial sized solar water heating systems. As hot water is drawn out of gas or electric heaters it is replaced with solar pre-heated water. Solar water heating panels are about 80% efficient at converting sunlight into usable energy. These panels heat water for apartment tenants.   When the sun is shining water is circulated between solar storage tanks and the solar panels on the roof. Water in the tanks often reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit.    This installation features 18 4'x10' solar panels and 9 120 gallon tanks.    This installation includes 8 solar panels and 4 solar storage tanks.    Copper plumbing can handle the heat and lasts for decades   All pipes are insulated for greater efficiency. A solar control unit on the wall detects when the water in the solar panels is 20 degrees warmer than the water in the storage tanks, then it turns on a small circulation pump, which runs until there is only a 3 degree differential. Properly designed solar water heaters are completely automatic and are left in operation year-round. Solar Water Heating Page