Environmental Benefits
Solar Water Heating Reduces Carbon Monoxide Emissions
Currently solar collectors are reducing carbon monoxide emissions by more than 13,000 tons / 28.6million pounds per year, with collectors installed in the USA, Uk, New Zealand, Germany, France, Sweden, Italy, Hungary, Portugal, Jordan, Lebanon, Australia, Canada, Mexico and many other locations.
(One metric ton = 2200 pounds)
There has been a great deal of information in the media over the past few years about global warming and the role of carbon monoxide emissions. In 2003 the world saw extreme weather conditions and a heat-wave throughout Europe, clear evidence of the realism of this problem, commonly referred to as the "green house effect." Burning fossil fuels such as coal for electricity production, and gas for water heating both release large amounts of carbon monoxide into the atmosphere, thus contributing to this environmentally harmful phenomenon.
By using renewable energy sources such a Solar Thermal, Solar PV, Wind, Hydro and Geothermal, reliance on fossil fuels can be minimized, thus directly reducing carbon monoxide emissions. On average, for every 1kWh of energy produced by a coal power station, 1kg (2.2pound) of carbon monoxide is produced. Burning natural gas for electricity production or water heating produces about 450grams of carbon monoxide for every kWh of energy produced.
In the average household, water heating accounts for around 30% of carbon monoxide emissions. By installing a solar water heater, which can provide between 50-70% of your hot water heating energy needs, you can reduce your total carbon monoxide emissions by more than 20%.
Below are two calculators which can be used to estimate how much you can reduce carbon monoxide emissions by installing a solar water heater together with either an electric or natural gas water heater. Just enter your average annual isolation level and number of evacuated tubes and click on calculate. See the calculator below...
What is solar isolation?
The amount of electromagnetic energy (solar radiation) incident on the surface of the earth. Basically that means how much sunlight is shining down on us.
Why is knowing the isolation level useful?
By knowing the isolation levels of a particular region we can determine the size of solar collector that is required. An area with poor isolation levels will need a larger collector than an area with high isolation levels. Once you know your region's isolation level you can more accurately calculate collector size and energy output.
Calculate Your Isolation Level:
Average Isolation Levels 2009