Category: Idaho Solar

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.

I love getting out and telling people about what solar hvac can do to help them save on energy costs!
People are always amazed to hear how efficient our systems are; while they can see the benefits of whole home holistic services now they often overlook the fact that the savings lead well into the future!

A recent study  which analyzed about 22,000 home sales (with just under 4,000 of which were solar homes) across 8 states between 1999 and 2013, showed an average price premium of about $4 per watt of installed solar PV, with an average price premium of about $15,000 for a solar home with a typical system (3.6kW) installed.

In addition, one of the best investments that you can make for your IRA or retirement is Solar. By investing in solar you are stabilizing your energy costs for the future! You won’t have to worry about your income keeping up with the increasing energy costs when you’re getting your energy from the sun. These savings are tax free and will pay dividends on a monthly basis as well. Our Whole Home Holistic Solutions for homes generally payback in less than 8 years — that’s even with estimating a 5% energy escalator.

Please consider this as part of your investment strategy! Solar in Idaho has never made more sense! Call: 208-577-6537 for a FREE solar site visit.

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 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.

 

 

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.