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Using Solar Thermal radiant cells (evacuated tubes) is a very good solution for agricultural companies such as dairies, meat and food processing plants. The heat energy that can be harvested from the suns radiation, ultra-violet and infrared rays, is a large untapped energy source.

The systems can be designed and installed to provide hot water of 165 degrees for wash down in the milk barns. The energy can also be used for space heating for the milk barn and shop buildings using radiant floors or hydronic heating with water to air heaters.

The systems can be used to offset propane usage and electric heating of the water. The systems are scalable to satisfy the energy needs of each dairy or business.

The incentives that are currently available are the USDA REAP Grant of 25%, US Treasury Investment Tax Credit  of 30%, Accelerated Depreciation of 100% = 42% and some cases of utility incentives and state incentives.

Some projects can be covered with close to 80-110% incentives. Please contact us for more information.
 

Solar water heating on a home built in 1898.

We just finished a great project on a GREAT classic historical registered house.  We installed 2 panels on the 45 degree roof.    That roof mount wast some careful work.  The water lines to the basement were already installed by the home owner.

The home owner had also installed ~3,000 feet of 1/2″ Pex-Al-Pex tubing under the floors.  A radiant barrier was also installed to drive the heat upward for the intended use.   The insulation bats were then installed behind the radiant barrier.

We installed a 75 gallon natural gas combi-water heater with a coil in the tank.  The radiant floor system is hooked in through the heat exchange loop.  The radiant floor tubing is hooked in to a 8 valve manifold that is connected to a controller and thermostats into 3 separate heating zones.

When the thermostat calls for heat it starts the radiant circulation pump and opens the valves for that zone.  The system runs until the heat load is satisfied.

The solar loop is tied into the combi tank and provides all the energy the sun has to offer for that day.

We also installed a “Clear Wave” salt-less water conditioning system to keep the system in top shape with no hard water build up.

Solar water, comfort heating and hot tub heating.

RENW just finished a great install in Ada County Idaho.  We installed 2 – 20 tube solar panel systems.  One panel is designed to provide enough hot water for a family of 4.  We focus on “Affordable Solar Solutions” delivering high quality installs for affordable prices.  This install we use the extra energy from the 2nd panel to assist in comfort heating the home.  When heat is not required in the home the home owner can switch with two ball valves over to heating the hot tub.  This solution allows both panels of renewable energy to be used year round.   We have a great roof mount system that is secure and water tight.   If you are considering reducing your utility costs please give us a call for a free solar site visit.

Solar hot water for a dairy and calf barn in Idaho.

Renewable Energy NW, LLC (RENW) completed our largest installation to date for a Dairy Farm and Calf Barn in the Magic Valley in Idaho.  The installation was 48 solar thermal panels capable of creating 1.6 million BTU’s of energy on a clear winter day and over 2 million BTU’s per day in the summer time.

The installation was on roof peak which ran N and S.  We installed 12 panels on the east side of the Calf barn and 12 panels on the west side of the roof.    The panels were installed as their own system on each side of the roof.  The panels are facing south for maximum collection of the radiation.  This allows the east roof section to start up with the first line of site of the sun and then the west side when the sun progresses and hits that side of the roof.  Each 12 panel section has its own pump and solar controller to manage the collection of energy from the sun.  This same set up was also installed on the roof of the dairy barn with 24 panels total split into two sides.

The system is working well and capturing free energy from the sun.

Renewable Energy Northwest’s solar thermal installations last year:

Earth Day April 22, 2013.  On this day it is a good time to think about what have your done to take better care of the Earth.   I would like to walk through what Renewable Energy NW, LLC (RENW) has accomplished this last year:

Installed 3 dairies with solar thermal applications for heating process water for clean up. 96 Solar Thermal Panels offsetting 192,ooo pounds of carbon pollution or the equivalent of removing 96 – Honda 4 cylinder cars from the road, each year.

Home installations most of which included a 2 panel install heating the hot water and assisting comfort heating.  These solar thermal installations have provided family wage jobs and local spending for an Idaho local business.

2 – Kuna

1 – Meridian

1 – Boise

1 – Weiser

1 – New Plymouth

1 – Notus

1 – Garden Valley

1 – Coeur D Alene

School in Cascade

I want to thank all of my customers for making a choice to save money and do something to make all of our lives more sustainable.

THANKS!