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In May we installed 8 Lava solar thermal units in a car wash in Idaho. The Lava units have a 50 gallon insulated non pressurized tank to store the energy collected during the day. The energy is then consumed heating the hot water for the car wash.

The energy can also be used in the winter to assist heating the radiant floor system for the car wash bays.

We also installed a Hi-bred water storage system in the mechanical room with a 95% efficient boiler.  The project funding was  assisted with the help of a USDA REAP Grant of 25% and a US Treasury Grant of 30%.

The owner of the  car wash is very happy with the savings and performance of the system.

The car wash is able to turn the natural gas off in March and then turn the gas back on in October due to the increased energy heating the radiant floors.

We just finished this install in the Treasure Valley of Idaho. The 8 panel Mystic system will supply hot water for a large family, heating a radiant floor in the basement, heating a pool and a hot tub, heating a snow melt in front of the house and heating two water to air heat exchangers in the forced air comfort heating system. The system will assist heating the house in the winter and then heat the pool in the summer.

We are using a 630 gallon insulated cement tank to store the energy collected during the solar day.  The energy is then transfered to a 50 gallon insulated distribution tank that delivers the energy to each of the end uses.

The distribution of the energy is supplied through a manifold, controllers and electronic valves.

The snow melt system is a closed loop system with glycol and collects the energy through a plate heat exchanger.

This is a great example of a family taking a big step in lowering their energy cost and reducing their environmental footprint.

 

 

I tested an evacuated solar thermal tube in January in Idaho.  The tube heated from 55 degrees to 120 degrees in 10 minutes.  The temperature went to 350 degrees in 30 minutes.  The tube reached 395 degrees in 60 minutes.

I completed the same test in September of 2011.   For this test I used 2 tubes one with a reflector one with out.  The tube without the reflector achieved very similar results to the January test.   The tube with the reflector was 40 degrees warmer in 10 minutes.  6o degrees warmer in 30 minutes and 220 degrees hotter in 60 minutes.

I was impressed with the gain using the reflector.  There is a tremenduous amount of energy available for us to
use from the sun.  The other interesting item was the energy gain from the tube in January vs. September was very similar.

Carl S.

We just completed another install in the great state of Oregon.  We installed 2 Mystic panels mounted on the south facing wall.  The installation also included a 50 gallon energy efficient solar storage tank, a solar controller, water to air heat exchanger in the forced air furnace system and a heating controller to dissipate the extra heat in the assisting in the comfort heating of the house.

The install was completed in two days with a Master plumber and a certified solar installer.  The system is functioning and the clients are excited to lower their energy bills and do something sustainable for the environment.

This is a great step in improving your independence upon the energy system.  You  basically have your own energy plant at your house!

We look forward to working with clients that are interested in saving money and helping the environment.

The Renewable Energy NW LLC systems we install are eligible for the Federal Tax credit of 30% and the Idaho State deduction of 100% over a period of 4 years (40%, 20%, 20% and 20%) of the total installed solar thermal project.