NOVICE Q: Solar feasibility in Northeast US suburbs

1 Posts
Jun 1, 2004 12:05 pm
NOVICE Q: Solar feasibility in Northeast US suburbs

Greetings,

A few questions from a total tyro here.  My wife and I are considering a solar setup to provide some of the heat for our hot water (both "potable" and for forced hot water heating.)  The intention is to try to stop burning as much oil as we do to heat the water.  We live in central Massachusetts.

1) Is there enough sunlight in the Northeast US to make this feasible/cost effective?  (I'm thinking both of short winter days and overcast days all year.)  This ain't exactly SoCal...

2) What about winter weather?  We are in the "snow belt", so we often have a lot of snow on our roof.  Would we have to clean off the panels after each snow storm?  What about ice storms, which occassionally put an inch or two of ice on everything?

3) Our roof slopes basically to the southwest and the northeast.  My understanding is that a south-sloping roof is ideal.  How troublesome would this be?

4) Are there in fact water heating systems to do this sort of thing?  How tough are they to retrofit in a two-story house with the current system (oil burner, hot water tank) in the basement?

5) Is there anything else I'm not thinking of?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Burke

 
462 Posts
Jun 23, 2004 07:35 am
Re: NOVICE Q: Solar feasibility in Northeast US suburbs

burke, here are some answers to your questions;
1. new england is perfect for solar. Lower temperatures and clear skies in the colder seasons actually increase radiation gain. System work well year round.

2. using hot water panels. Radiation actually penetrates the snow and ice to heat the panel which will eventually melt the snow. Or, you can just turn on your pump manually to run hot water into the panel from your tank or boiler to melt the snow. Or you can consider a ground mount, then you can clean them whenever it is needed.

3. South is best, you can alway tilt the panels. You just have to be careful of shading.

4. Yup, you can use the hot water for heating too. Using a heat exchanger tank you can send hot water through your radiant heat or baseboards or fan assisted heat exchanger.

5. pumps, piping to and from panels, insulation and controls and wiring......

 

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