Heliotropics FAQ

• What do I need for a solar hot water system?
• What size solar water system do I need?
• Do I have to change my habits to use a solar water heater?
• How much do I save?
• Are solar water heating systems reliable?
• What about Solar Electricity?
• What are the tax advantages?
• How can I finance a solar energy system?
• What if there is a hurricane?
• Will my homeowner's association allow solar collectors?

Q: What do I need for a solar hot water system?

Here in Florida, you need a southern exposure that is relatively shade free. Ideally, your house needs a rooftop with Southern orientation for the solar collectors. If your house has a North-South ridgeline you can tilt the collectors. The tilted array will not be flat to the surface of the roof, but it will still meet the stringent Miami-Dade county codes.

While most collectors are mounted on the roof, many have been mounted on the ground, or as an awning on the side of the house.  Solar hot water systems are relatively tolerant of non-ideal setups. Orientations of up to 45 degrees East or West of true South has very little effect on year-round domestic water heating. While less desirable, a West or even an East facing water heating system can work well especially with an additional collector.

Hot water systems also need a storage tank. Typically this will be in the same location as the existing water heater tank, but it has around twice the capacity, so it will take up more space. You will also need a path to run a pair of copper pipes and some wiring between the collectors and the tank.

We can help you determine where the optimum collector placement is for you. And this advice is free.

Q: What size solar water system do I need?

For Florida residences with a dishwasher and an automatic clothes washer, a rough rule of thumb is 10-square-feet of collector area, per person, and 20 gallons of water storage, per person. Thus, for a family of four, 40-square-feet of collector and a total tank storage of 80 gallons are typical.

Families can also purchase a solar-assisted system that uses a 20-to 26-square-foot collector that is retrofitted to their existing 40-or 52-gallon water heater. Due to the reduced storage tank capacity and smaller collector size, these systems will only provide 50-60% of the hot water used. The installed price will of course be lower since the existing tank and smaller collector are used, however it may not be eligible for all the possible tax rebate benefits.

Q: Do I have to change my habits to use a solar water heater?

No. Solar water heaters are always installed with a backup heating system in the storage tank to ensure that hot water is available at all times. However, to maximize solar utilization and your savings, you should attempt to use the most hot water in the late morning and early afternoon when the solar system is operating at its peak due to the available sunshine. Also, your solar system will be more effective if your use of hot water is spread more evenly over the week. For example, if you use hot water for laundry, instead of washing seven loads of clothes in a single day, wash one load each day. This will reduce the amount of backup energy required for your solar system.

Q: How much do I save?

Your monthly savings will depend on the amount of hot water you use, the storage tank size and type and the price of fuel used for backup water heating. For a family of four, the typical hot water usage is 70-gallons per day, thus using 3990-kilowatt-hours per year to heat the water electrically, or $399 per year worth of electricity at 10 cents per kilowatt-hour.

A properly sized solar water heater should save between 50% and 85% of the hot water portion of the monthly utility bill, or $200 to $300 per year for a family of four, if the backup element is kept at 122°F.

These saving are in post-tax dollars, of course. Depending on your tax bracket, you would need to earn more than this to pay the income tax on this money. And remember, as electricity and other fuel prices go up, your solar savings will increase accordingly.

A solar water heater can save even more if you turn off the backup and rely solely on the sun for your hot water. During summer months, when hot water demands are lower and the sun shines longer, most solar owners turn off the backup element.

Q: Are solar water heating systems reliable?

Properly designed and installed systems should perform well for more than 20 years. Controllers and pumps, like other electronic devices, may require servicing during the life of the system, and the hot water tank may have to be replaced after 10 or 20 years. Since conventional water heaters have the same expected lifetime, water tank replacement costs are not regarded as unique to solar energy systems.

We can provide maintenance checkups of your solar systems similar to annual air-conditioning system maintenance programs. This can be beneficial in extending the life of the system and ensuring optimum performance.

Q: What about Solar Electricity?

Solar photovoltaic systems are less efficient and more complex than solar hot water systems. Collector placement is more exacting and even slight shading of the collectors (such as from a tree branch) will radically reduce their output. In the middle of 2008 Florida Power & Light began to allow net metering, so you can generate into the grid and receive credit for the power you produce. Solar electric systems can be cost effective, but the payback time is longer than for hot water systems and the up-front costs are greater.

The best applications for solar electric systems are in stand-alone applications, such as attic fans or in off-grid applications where gas generators are being replaced. These can pay for themselves quickly.

Still, there are many people who can benefit from a grid connected solar electric system. Recent changes in the tax laws have made solar energy more cost effective than ever. Ask us and we can help evaluate the electrical and financial possibilities available to you.

Q: What are the tax advantages?

First, you are exempt from the Florida state sales tax and any additional sales tax added by your municipality. Second, the value added to your property by the solar installation will not increase the assessed value of your property so it will not affect your property taxes. Also, as part of the Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (the "Financial Bailout" bill), homeowners and businesses can receive a 30% credit on their federal income tax for a solar system that is certified by the SRCC. Yes, a credit, not a deduction! There is no upper limit and, if the full credit cannot be taken in the first year's taxes, it can be applied in future years! Even if you are subject to the AMT, you can claim the full credit. These actions radically speed up the payback time of the installation. There has never been a better time to consider solar energy for your home or business.

Q: How can I finance a solar energy system?

The best way to finance a solar energy system is to include it as part of your home mortgage. In long-term loans of 20 years or more, the monthly solar savings will normally be greater than the monthly mortgage payments for the solar system. This way there is no wait for a break-even point. The savings are immediate.

If you are buying a new home, you may be able to include a new solar energy system in the mortgage. Check with your builder and lender. Also, many Florida lending institutions offer short-term loans for solar systems. Remember, interest payments for home loans, home equity loans, and home improvement loans are eligible for Federal Income Tax deductions.

Q: What if there is a hurricane?

All our installations and equipment are certified to meet or exceed Miami-Dade county building codes. Even if the system is damaged, it is part of the property and will automatically be covered under your insurance policy.

It is more likely that the system will survive the storm and your biggest problem would be that all your neighbors will find out that you are the only one with hot water.

Q: Will my homeowner's association allow solar collectors?

Yes! Florida law forbids ordinances, deed restrictions, covenants, or similar binding agreements from prohibiting solar equipment use. While an owner cannot be prevented from installing a solar energy system, certain restrictions may be imposed without violating the law. However, those restrictions must be reasonable, not arbitrary, and uniformly imposed on owners in a subdivision. The restrictions cannot act to impair the performance of a solar system or it may be seen as "effectively" prohibiting solar.