Solar hot water

Solar hot water is simply water heated by the use of solar energy, as opposed to, say, an electric water heater, which requires natural gas, propane or oil. Solar energy heating systems have two major parts: solar thermal collectors and a fluid system to move the heat from the collector to the point of usage. The point of usage can be a swimming pool, under-floor heating system or, on a larger scale, an industrial project or commercial building.

Sustainability in action

A standard 50-gallon electric water heater uses just over 11 barrels of oil a year, the same as a typical sedan driven by the average consumer. A solar heating system, on the other hand, can be used in many climates to provide up to 85 percent of domestic hot water energy.

There are many ways you can rethink how you use the fundamentals of solar hot water in your world. If you drink tea, for example, use the sun to heat the water and combine the flavors for sun tea, rather than using an electric or gas range stove. If you have an outdoor pool, cover it with a solar bubble that will trap heat from the sun and transmit it to the pool, keeping the water temperature warm and inviting. Finally, when cooking, try using a solar cooker to boil water for pastas, soups and other foods.

ACCIONA's commitment

In addition to being involved in concentrating solar power and solar photovoltaics, ACCIONA also works in solar hot water technologies. By developing innovative designs and equipment in the field of solar-heating technology, ACCIONA provides major energy savings in large- and small-scale hot water systems for homes, workplaces, swimming pools and industrial processes.

We have also developed our own system, Termonit, for the automation and remote control of these installations. By the start of 2009, ACCIONA had installed a total of 15 MW worth of solar-heating applications.