Category: Idaho Solar

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.

How would you like to satisfy 20% of your typical household energy bill with the same energy it takes to power a 60 watt light bulb?  That is basically how a solar thermal system works.  You only pay for the energy required to run a .3 amp circulation pump to harvest the energy supplied from the sun in ultra-violet and infrared rays.  The Department of Energy estimates that 20% of your total energy consumed in your house goes to heating the water.

I highly recommend that you look into this concept and save yourself $ and improve your environmental impact at the same time.   I have had my system installed for 2.5 years and I enjoy a steamy hot free shower each day.  What a great way to start your day off on a positive step right out of the gate.

Please contact me for more information on how you can take the first step towards a sustainable lifestyle. carl@www.renewableenergynwllc.com

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.

A little over a year ago we installed a solar thermal system at the Dirt Buster Car Wash in Fruitland, ID.  The system was designed and installed to reduce the Natural Gas consumed in heating the hot water for washing cars and the radiant floor heating in the wash bays.

The natural gas was turned off in April of this year and we estimate that the gas will be turned back on in October.  The system provides about half of the energy load for the facility in the winter months.

This installation paid for itself in approximately 1 year.

The Dairy installation that was completed in January in Castleford, ID is operating to plan and is producing ~ 1000 gallons of 165 degree water from the energy of the sun.  This hot water is used in cleaning up the milk barn for a modern dairy facility.  This system will also pay for itself in less than 1 year.

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.