Solar Thermal uses sunlight and a collector device to generate hot water that can be used for domestic hot water needs, to heat a building, pool or spa. The majority of solar thermal systems are installed to generate domestic hot water for use in a household or business. Solar collectors come in two different types, flat plate collector and evacuated tube collectors.

 

Evergreen installs both flat plate and evacuated tube collector systems. A system typically includes two or more flat plates collectors, a well-insulated storage tank and a circulating pump package and controls. Evacuated tube collectors generally come in groups of eight or more tubes to a single collector assembly; however, the actual configuration varies by manufacturer.

 

The choice between flat plat collectors or evacuated tubes can depend on several factors. Flat plate collectors have been around for decades and are considered very reliable. Evacuated tubes are a more recent invention and do not have a shorter history of trouble free operation. For most domestic hot water applications, flat plate collectors will provide excellent performance at a good price. Evacuated tube collectors are more costly; however, they offer some advantages with that cost including better winter performance and the ability to replace a single tube in the collector assembly.

 

The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) began a solar thermal rebate program in October 2009 that provides a rebate of $500 per million British thermal unit (MMBtu) based on predicted system output (October through March) with caps based on the size of the household ($2,400 for 1-2 persons, $3,600 for 3-4 persons, and $4,800 for 5-6 persons). The same $500 per MMBtu rate applies for commercial installations with a cap of $50,000. Not-for-profit organizations qualify for a rebate of up to $900 per MMBtu with a cap of $82,500. The CCEF rebate is funded with grant federal money (4 million dollars) and is scheduled to expire when the funds are expended. In addition to the CCEF rebate, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provides a full 30% federal tax credit for installations completed after December 31 2008.