I recently bought a house with very old solar panels (about 25 years old) that don’t appear to work properly. They are supposed to heat the hot water heater but they don’t always work, and recently have staretd leaking. So, I have had them turned off and now we’re just using electricity to heat the hot water. My question is, is there any tax credit money (stimulus or otherwise) available for people to (a) repair old solar panels or (b) replace them with new ones? How does the credit work?

The most common seem to be the OBlue and Intex 3kw heaters. Are these compatible with the standard pump that comes with the Bestway 10ft Fast Set Pool? How quick do they raise the temperature? What do they cost to run? Is it worth getting a solar cover to try and retain some of the heat when not in use? Are they really worth it for casual use? Anyone used any of these or similar?

Any advise appreciated.

Have birdbath; want water in it for the winter. Live in MD; expect freezing weather at some point. DON’T TRUST electricity and water together much, esp. outside—it’s a silly quirk. Anybody ever use a solar or battery operated heater and can give feedback?

Suggestions on how to keep my wild birds (and squirrels) happy? The bath is fairly near the front door, and won’t mind doing some fresh water regularly (or even adding some hot water), but am looking for fairly easy and not TOO costly ideas. Thanks!

I have some 6′ X 4′ double pained, tempered glass windows, and I intend to mount them together over a plywood, and 2×4 box, with the inside painted flat black.

I envision using CPVC Pipe, plumed from the cold supply line of my water heater, diverted to the solar water heater, and returned into the water tank into the intake. I’m doing tests to see how quickly each size of CPVC Pipe heats to 120′ (F).

My question is… is there a problem with diverting the water to the Solar Pre-heater that I should know…? Anyone with experience doing this sort of thing who might have some advice or information?

I know 3/4 inch pipe heats to 120′ (F) in 30 minutes, but it doesn’t give enough volume for a shower or a load of laundry… still testing the 2" line.

A hot water heater is operated by using solar power.
If the solar collector has an area of 5.2 m^2, and the power delivered by sunlight is 1022 W/ m^2, how long will it take to increase the temperature of 1 m^3 of water from 20°C to 51°C? The specific heat of water is 4186 J/kg * °C and the density of water is 1000 kg/m^3.

I want to save money by using solar power, where I can.I already turn off lights when I am not in a room. I live in a 16 X 80 2000 trailer. But I only use the kitchen and my room most of the time. I have already bought a oil filled heater just for my room for the winter, instead of turning on the furnace. Can anyone help go green and save money.

or how many watts? i dont use much electricity. i have on a couple of lights and a computer, sometimes the tv. how many solar panels would i need to power those constantly throughout the day, and maybe charge batteries for night? the air, refrigerator and hot water heater i would still use regular electricity.

Water Heater Operated By Solar Power?
A water heater is operated by solar power. If the solar collector has an area of 6.80 m2, and the intensity delivered by sunlight is 600 W/m2, how long does it take to increase the temperature of 1.00 m3 of water from 20.0°C to 70.0°C?

When I plugged my numbers I got 2.859 hours. Please walk me through this

Thanks

A new homeowner is debating between installing a solar or a gas water heater. The gas water heater should last 20 years and will cost 5 to purchase. The estimated fuel use, based on a family of four is 0 per year. The solar water heater is more expensive: the equipment costs 00 to purchase and install. Additionally, the homeowner estimates that the annual fuel cost will be in electricity to run the pump and to heat the water on cloudy days. He also estimates for annual maintenance. He does not know how many years the solar water heater will last, but he estimates that the equipment should last at least 10 years.

a.How many years would the solar water heater have to last to break even with the costs of the gas water heater?
there is no rate at which money is discounted given