Solar Thermal Hot Water Systems
Solar Thermal Hot Water Systems use the free, abundant energy of the sun to provide hot water. A Solar Thermal system can provide up to 75% of hot water needs over the course of the year. The system is composed of rooftop panels that house collector tubes. The fluid in the tubes collects heat and transfers the heat to water, which is stored in a storage tank for immediate or later use. Solar Thermal systems are appropriate for home, business and industrial use. Businesses with significant hot water needs, such as hotels, restaurants and carwashes, can realize huge savings with a solar thermal system.
Benefits of solar thermal hot water:
" Decreased energy costs: Providing hot water from the energy of sunlight can cut your hot-water related costs, whether electric or gas, by over 50%.
" Decreased energy use: With solar thermal, the energy to heat water comes from a renewable source rather than a non-renewable, fossil-fuel based source.
" Tax Credits: South Carolina residents can realize tax credits of 50% (federal and state) of the upfront cost of the system
Wind Power
Wind Power is an energy system that converts wind into electrical energy for your home or business. A wind turbine system consists of a tower topped by a rotor that is turned by the wind. The mechanical energy of the spinning rotor is converted into electrical energy, which can be used to power appliances. A wind power system can provide at least 25% of the electricity for a home or business. Wind power can be combined with solar power in a hybrid system that is an efficient way of providing renewable energy.
Benefits of wind power:
" Decreased energy costs: Wind-generated electricity can replace a significant portion of your grid-provided electricity.
" Decreased energy use: With wind power, the energy to run your appliances comes from a renewable source rather than a non-renewable, fossil-fuel based source.
" Round-the-clock Energy Production: Unlike solar systems, wind systems can generate electricity 24 hours a day.
" Tax Credits: Government tax incentives can provide a 30% rebate of the upfront system cost.
Photovoltaic Solar Energy
Photovoltaic Solar Energy is what we typically think of as "solar power" and is a rooftop system in which solar panels convert the sun's energy into electricity. The electricity generated can be used to power home, business and industrial appliances.
Benefits of Photovoltaic systems:
" Decreased energy costs: Solar-generated electricity can replace a significant portion of your utility-provided electricity.
" Decreased energy use: With solar power, the energy to run your appliances comes from a clean, renewable source rather than a non-renewable, fossil-fuel based source.
" Low maintenance: Photovoltaic systems operate silently, have no moving parts and are virtually maintenance-free.
" Tax Credits: State and federal tax incentives can refund 50% of the system cost to you.
