Harnessing the sun’s energy an economically viable option - GEA

Harnessing the sun’s energy an economically viable option – GEA

Nov 04, 2014 News

With growing concerns of global climate change and the dependence on costly fossil

An example of a solar water heater system

fuels that are dangerous to our environment, solar water heaters present an opportunity to not only reduce energy consumption and costs, but assist in reducing our carbon foot print, according to the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA).
GEA’s Public Communications Officer, Taiwo Williams, said that for hot climates, solar water heaters can be a cost effective way to generate hot water for use in homes, hotels, hospitals and industries.
“Solar water heaters make use of the sun’s energy through ‘solar thermal’ technology. The sun’s energy is harnessed and converted into heat. The basic technology for solar water heater systems is very simple. The systems use solar collectors that are fitted to your roof. Sunlight strikes and heats the ‘absorber’ surface within the ‘solar collector’.
As water flows through the tubes attached to the solar collector, heat is absorbed and the heated water is stored for use on demand. Solar water heaters are usually designed with a back-up mechanism to heat the water during periods of extended cloud cover.”
Underscoring that most solar water heaters are installed on the roof, Williams said that for best results, the roof should receive direct sunlight between the hours of 10 AM and 3 PM. The consumer has direct control over the system, and unlike electric water heaters, hot water is available even during a power outage.
System and Cost
He further explained that a choice has to be made as to the size best suited for a specific household. Most available options include a 30, 40 or 50 gallon electric water heater. Sizing a solar water heater involves determining the total collector area and the storage volume required to provide 100% of the household’s hot water needs.
A 50-gallon electric water heater will cost about $1M over its 10-year life. However, an equally-sized solar water heater will only have a one-time cost of about $330,000 and will serve hot water needs for more than 20 years.
“Once you recover the higher initial costs of a solar system through reduced or avoided energy costs, your solar system will require expenditures only for maintenance,” he said.