Solar Thermal Liquid Collectors
(Flat Plate or Evacuated Tubes)

Additionally, a liquid solar thermal system is more efficient at transferring heat to a liquid reservoir (usually water) for storage of that heat.  This stored heat can be used at a later time when the sun is no longer present for on–demand heating.  This “liquid-to-liquid” method of heat transfer is ideal for residential applications in which a homeowner can extract heat from a storage tank when the house is actually occupied later in the day or evening.

The “flat-plate”  liquid solar thermal collectors we sell and install have been rated to produce approximately 43,000 BTUs/day* (assuming 4’ X 10’ collector size) with actual system production in central Wisconsin running about 27,000 BTUs. 

The concept of the transpired solar air collector is to provide fresh, preheated air primarily into commercial buildings.  Newer buildings will generally incorporate a make-up air into the building’s HVAC system. Conventionally, incoming make-up air needs to be heated from the external outside temperatures to the desired interior temperatures before it is circulated into the building.  Introducing transpired solar air collectors into this type of system allows the intervention of preheated air before it gets to the ventilation system.  The induction of preheated air through the transpired collectors is the most energy efficient means of reducing energy costs.

Older, poorly insulated and sealed buildings are subject to external air infiltration.  The negative interior air pressure within a building produces a natural draw that pulls cold winter air into the building which must then be heated.  Our transpired Solarwall creates a positive interior pressure within the building by drawing external air through the aspirated panels, preheating this air and transferring the preheated air through the control and disbursement of building’s HVAC system.  The introduction of the fresh, preheated air equalizes the atmospheric pressures between interior and exterior spaces.  The Solarwall is capable of producing up to 160 BTUs of energy/hour.

The most important consideration in either thermal air or thermal liquid systems is that after the system is installed, costs of operations are benign and the feedstock - THE SUN’S RADIANT ENERGY . . .Is FREE ! ! ! 

* BTU output certified by the Solar Ratings Certification Corporation (SRCC) through testing conducted in controlled environments

When we initially considered renewable alternative energy systems that would supplement solar thermal systems during cloudy or evening conditions, our first thoughts were traditional wood burning fireplaces and stoves.  However, in our research we discovered the superior advantages of masonry heaters. 

Masonry heaters were developed centuries ago by Europeans who needed a means of maximizing the heating capabilities of their wooden fuel.  The construction design of a masonry heater led to technology which captures a greater amount of heat for use in the dwelling that otherwise would leave the chimney uncombusted.  This same technology is experiencing a revival in new home construction for those who rely almost exclusively upon wood to heat their homes.

Before discussing the principal advantages of masonry heaters, an understanding of the characteristics of wood, its composition, and the properties of wood combustion are important.

Approximately 30% of wood is in the form of solids. The remaining portion of wood is composed of gases and volatiles.  The gases and volatiles given off when the solid portion of wood burns require approximately 1100 degrees Fahrenheit for  incineration. Most conventional wood stoves and fireplaces never reach the threshold for complete combustion of both solids and volatiles. 

The principals of a masonry heater are two-fold.  First, the fire in a masonry heater, will produce a temperature intensity of approximately 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit within the firebox. The extreme temperature within a masonry heater allows a more complete burn of volatiles with less fuel and energy escaping out the chimney.     

The second unique feature of a masonry heater is the manner in which the exhaust leaves the firebox.  Rather than expelling exhaust emissions vertically out the chimney, a masonry heater channels the exhaust down the sides of the firebox, between an outer layer of brick, block or stone and then vertically out the chimney.
The initial 1500 degree temperature within the firebox is eventually tempered to about 300 degrees when the exhaust leaves the chimney. 

The difference in temperatures between the firebox and the outside chimney is absorbed within the mass of masonry.  The absorbed heat is then “radiated” outward over a prolonged period of time (usually 18 – 24 hours). 

“Convected” heat generated by conventional fireplaces and wood stoves rise upward, rendering large differences in temperature between floor and ceiling.  Radiant heat, is a more even form of heat, with very slight temperature stratification between floor and ceiling.

Along with a very comfortable, clean and prolonged period of radiant heating, a masonry heater is more economical than conventional wood burners. Since more heat is generated within the firebox and retained in the mass of masonry (without the stone or brick veneer feeling hot to the touch), more BTUs are captured within the home resulting greater energy efficiency.  Homeowners with masonry heaters typically use 25 – 40% less wood to produce the same amount of BTUs of heat as compared to conventional stoves and fireplaces.  The result – more economical to burn wood in a masonry heater than conventional fireplaces.

We are a TEMPCAST Masonry Heater dealer serving South Central Wisconsin.
Visit http://www.tempcast.com for more information.

A major source of energy transmission, both heat loss and gain, is through windows.

Windows with a southern orientation allow the sun’s radiant heat into the house during daylight hours.  This form of passive solar energy is a great way to supplement a home’s heating during winter months.  Conversely, the transmission of heat generated within the house through windows into the night time cold puts a major load on a home’s heating system. 

The answer to the loss of heat through windows is though the installation of “window quilts.”  Window quilts can boost the R-value of a single pain window from 1.6 to 7.69.  Even a thermo-pain window will realize a significant bump in insulating capabilities through the addition of window quilts.

The principal of a window quilt is simple and beautiful.  The homeowner selects a fabric he or she would like as a curtain or blind.  That fabric is then sewed onto an insulating material so that the two pieces become one.  Then, a pliable magnetic strip is attached to the vertical, outside edges of the interior side of the insulating fabric.  A corresponding magnetic strip is attached to the frame of the window to be covered.  When the window quilt is lowered, the two magnetic strips are bound together and the cold air transmitted through the window is significantly blocked by the window quilt. 

Sunny Solutions, LLC distributes information we feel relevant to today’s energy consumer.  Publications sold at Sunny Solutions, LLC include Solar Today, Home Power and Mother Earth News.  Reprints from Wisconsin Renewable Quarterly are free (when available). 

Our membership in various organizations affords us the opportunity to pass along, through this web site, information we feel important to our fellow energy consumers. 

Through the dissemination of pertinent energy information, we hope to educate consumers about the global challenges soon to confront us and steps each energy consumer can take now to mitigate eventual problems.

Grants & Incentives
There are two ways a Solar Thermal System will pay for itself; through energy savings and also financial incentives.

For residential homeowners, the Federal Government offers a credit against taxable ordinary income* of 30% of the cost of a qualifying Solar Thermal System (space heating or domestic hot water) with the credit capped at $2,000.   Residential homeowners who purchase energy for their domestic hot water system (used for showers, laundry, etc.) from a qualifying utility company (i.e., Alliant, Wisconsin Energy), are eligible for a “cash-back” grant from Focus on Energy for up to 25% of the cost of their system (grant amount capped at $2,500).

For commercial installations, businesses are eligible for a federal income tax credit* of 30% with no cap on the credit.   Focus on Energy cash-back incentives refund up to 25% of the Solar Thermal Hot Water Project up to $10,000 for systems installed at businesses who purchase energy for domestic hot water from qualifying utilities.

PLUS . . .85% of the cost of the system can be depreciated over 5 years (17% per year).

* Federal Tax Credit may be terminated 12/31/2008 pending congressional legislation

Depreciation Benefits
Apart from future energy savings, another major economic benefit of solar thermal systems used in commercial applications is the ability to depreciate a significant portion of the system cost within five years.

To illustrate the potential incentives and depreciation benefits, consider the economic analysis of a theoretical commercial application.  

Assume a business consumes 600 therms of natural gas supplied by a qualifying utility.  The business decides to install a $10,000 Solar Thermal Hot Water System  and the system annually produces 250 therms of energy. 

The economic benefits generated by that system are as follows: