Why Go Solar:

Benefits of "Going Green"

During the past few years homeowners and businesses alike have been impacted by ever increasing energy cost due to the depletion of conventional fossil fuels, which is attributed to our rising population as well as the significant advancement of third world countries. Recent studies of greenhouse gas emissions and global warming concerns - have made us increasingly aware of the need to switch from conventional fuels - such as oil and coal - to renewable energy sources such as sunlight (SOLAR), wind, rain, tides, waves, and geothermal heat.

NOW IS THE TIME TO GO SOLAR

Solar energy, unlike fossil fuels is an infinite source of clean, reliable power. It is a renewable source of power that can be used to power your home, or to create hot water for a swimming pool, or for use inside the home for the daily hot water requirements of your family. It is actually the most natural source of power that can be used.

Solar pool heating, hot water and electric systems are designed to significantly reduce or eliminate the amount of power that you currently purchase form your power provider. Utilizing the infinite power of the sun will reduce your reliance on fossil fuels, giving you increased energy independence.

The energy produced by your solar system is reliable, clean source of power. It reduces pollution, eliminates greenhouse gases both of which contribute to global warming or climate change. Solar water heating and electric systems produce absolutely zero harmful emissions, leaving a smaller carbon footprint. Solar allows us to leave a cleaner planet to our children.

Solar energy systems require little maintenance after the initial installation, and are a quiet producer of energy as they use the power of the sun to convert sunlight into heat (wave Form) or to be captured for generating electricity (particle form)

From the day of installation solar hot water, pool heating, and solar electric systems begin to save you money on your electric or gas bill. Again it is a clean, silent, reliable energy source, which serves to hedge against future rate increases allowing owners to realize a fixed cost of energy and reduce future soaring electrical cost.

MONEY SAVED IS WORTH MORE THAN MONEY EARNED

What Can Solar Do For You?

Solar Hot Water systems are designed to capture the suns energy in order to convert it into heat. This form of solar technology is used to heat a swimming pool or for water use inside your home, saving energy and money on a daily basis. Solar Electric systems convert sunlight into electricity, offsetting a certain amount of power that is used in the home. Both system types are separate systems that can save thousands of dollars in energy cost. With solar thermal systems you can reduce the amount of power that is used, which lowers the amount of solar electric power required to attain a net zero electric bill. The most common type of solar electric systems are Grid Tied meaning the home is connected to the utility in order to meet the electrical demands above the power produced by the solar electric system.

Why Is Solar Energy Important?

When the solar system is quietly at work producing power or converting the suns energy into heat we have eliminated the associated pollution and greenhouse emissions that result form a fossil fuel burning power plant. The more that solar systems are utilized the less reliance we have on foreign oil sources and fossil fuels resulting on a minimal environmental impact on the planet, while also delivering energy savings while using a natural, clean source of power.

SAVE OUR PLANET - GO SOLAR!

Solar Pool Heating

Solar Pool Heating

About Pool Heating

Solar Pool heating in North Central Florida is not a luxury, it is a neccessity if you are to fully enjoy the investment of a new or existing pool. Most pool owners will agree that swimming in a pool that is below 80 degrees is not comfortable. The pool and spa industry has shown that adult night time swimming temperature is 86 degrees. Without a source of heat your screened pool will reach 80 degrees for about 50 days out of the year, typically from July through August. You can be enjoying your pool all year with a solar pool heating system! We can extend your swimming season from a mere 50 to 250 days of temperatures over 80 degrees.

A pool system is not perfect. It cannot heat the pool to 80 degreesat night, or when it's raining,and air temperatures fall to below 50 degrees with windy conditions tha we see through the winter months. As a rule of thumb if you have a solar heated pool and are comfortableoutside in a bathing suit, your pool will be warm and comfortable. A solar pool heating system will keep your pool10 to 15 degrees warmer than an unheated pool. If you are using the heater inyour home and need to wear a jacket outside chances are good that you will need a wetsuit to go swimming!

Heating a pool in Florida with solar energy is the most natural and cost effective means to heat your pool. With no pollution, or greenhouse gas emmissions it only makes sense to choose Solar Energy for an economically and environmentally friendly source of fuel for your pool heating needs.

How it works

By adjusting the pool pumps timer typically between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM you are able to filter the contents of your pool and add heat during the time period that your collectors are receiving heat from the rays of the sun. An automatic controller of "ComfortControl" determines wether conditions are favorable to gain heat in the pool. When the outside conditions are favorable to add heat,the controller energizes a valve motor which easily diverts the water to the rooftop mounted solar collectors, picking up heat to be returned to the pool. The control system also maximizes performance by using not just the heat of the sun, but the outside air temperature can realize a gain even on overcast days. This is a low temperature solar application, meaning we are wanting to heat a very large volume of water slowly unlike a hot water system, where we are getting a rapid gain on a smaller volume of water. This slower gradual heat gain over a period of several days will have your pool typically 8 to 16 degrees warmer than an unheated pool. With the use of a pool blanket you can actually be on average 16-25 degrees warmer.

The comfort control also works like the thermostat in your home, once the comfort setting of your desired temperature is reached the valve motor is directed to bypass the collectors to keep the pool at your own comfort level. In some cases a pool can become uncomfortably warm, we are able to set the timer and the control in such a manner that we are running the system at night, which brings the water down to outside air temperature.

FAQ's

Q. What size system do I need?

A. As a general rule of thumb, you can expect a 3 dgree rise for every 20% of pool surface area that we are approximating with collector area. As an example for a 15 X 30 Square foot pool if we can add 450 square feet of collector area, we will see a 16 degree temperature gain. With 225 Square feet or 50% coverage we would see an 8 degree rise in temperature. Most of our customers installween 80 and 100% coverage, but keep in mind we can start out small and add collectors over time.

Q. Where should I install my system?

A. We look for a roof area that is in full sun from at least 10 am to 2 pm preferrably facing south, however if an east or west roof receives adequate sunlight you have a suitable location.

Q. How do I maintain my system?

A.Solar pool heaters require very little maintenance aside from keeping any debris from accumulating which should be part of maintaining any roof surface. Unlike a gas or electric heat pump there is no motor, compressor, or refrigerant to worry about.

Q. Is a solar pool heater easy to operate?

A. Yes! Most systems can be made to be fully automatic and simple to operate. With a Comfort control system it's as easy as set it and forget it!

Call us TODAY for a free solar site survey! 352-317-3091

Solar Water Heating

Solar water heating collectors

Why Solar Hot Water

If you are currently heating your water with electricity or Propane, Solar Hot Water Heating is a wise investment.When you are heating water with Solar power you are harnessing the power of the sun! Taking the heat that we feel from the suns rays and transferring that energy directly into your solar storage tank. Solar hot water heating is by no means a new technology, the first solar water heating system which was known a s the Day/Night system was patented in the 1890's, What has changed is how this technology is utilized, or configured into a working system

Solar Water Heating Basics

With all of our solar options we have to look at the needs of each individual client in order to properly size a solar system. Solar water heating systems typically consist of one or more glazed flat plate collectors which are typically located on a roof surface, preferrably facing south, but an east or west facing surface is also acceptable.We size our systems based on the number of occupants of the home. A Solar storage tank will replace the existing water heater, most families will require an 80 gallon storage tank which is plumbed into the existing plumbing system. The collectors on the roof are then connected to the solar strage tank with matching components in order to obtain a complete solar system. All systems installed in the state of Florida must meet the standards set forth by the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) This assures that the installed system has been tested and approved so that homeowners are not investing in equipment that is not appropriate in our region.

A solar water heater is the worlds most energy efficient home appliance.

System Types

Passive Solar Water heater

Passive, or ICS systems

Passive or Integrated Collector systems are well suited for Tropical climates. In regions that experience freezing night time conditions they can actually become a net loser of energy as the cold night time air will bring the water held in the collector to the temperature of the outside air. Often times freezing to the point of bursting the tubes within the collector.

Active direct systems

These systems are very popular in the South Florida region. An active direct system refers to the same fluid in the collector is what comes out of your shower and faucets. However they rely on a freeze sensor for recirculation during freezing weather and 1 preferrably 2 freeze protection valves which by design will open at temperatures of 45 degrees. Both of these means of freeze protection are prone to failure at any time without warning. glazed Flat Plate solar collectors have been known to freeze and burst even at temperatures of 40 degrees!

Active Indirect Systems

Active Indirect Systems are by far the system of choice for homeowners North of Lake Okechobee.

The most reliable and efficient being the Single Pump Gravity Drainback System. With this type of configuration we install an 80 gallon storage tank with a built in heat exchanger, and a separate reservoir above the storage tank.

The system is regulated by a Differential controller, which when solar heat is available,turns the circulating pump on bringing solar heated water through the heat exchanger in the storage vessel up the the roof mounted solar collectors. the control will shut the pump off if the storage temperature reaches its program setpoint temperature or when we cannot realize a solar gain.When this occurs the fluid circulating through the collectors will DRAIN BACK into the 10 gallon reservoir adjacent to the water storage tank. A properly installed Gravity Drainback System will not be subject to freeze damage during colder climate conditions. These systems are installed regularly in our fridgid northeastern states.

Gravity has never failed yet !!!

Q. What is a glazed flat plate collector?

A. It is a copper plate which is inside of an aluminum extruded frame. The collector glass is a low iron glass designed for high absortivity (absorption) and low emmissivitey, or heat loss.

Q. How many panels do I need?

A. That all depends on how many people live in the home and available roof space.

Q. How long do they last?

A. In our area we install single pumped Drainback systems. The Heat Transfer Fluid is 10 gallons of water which is the only fluid the collectors will circulate. After an initial oxidation we are left with Nitrogen and inert gases, which means the collectors will last well over their 25 year warranty period. Solar storage tanks have warranties of up to 10 years.

Q. What if the sun does not come out for 2 or 3 days?

A. Solar tanks come with a backup heating element which will heat the contents of the tank when solar heat is unavailable typically overnight or during inclement weather.

Q. What about maintenance?

A. Other than keeping the collector glass clean there is no planned maintenance

Q. Are there any incentives for Solar Water Heating?

A Yes! the Federal Government has extended the 30% Tax credit which puts 30% of the system cost back in your pocket when you file your taxes.

Let us show you how easy it is to Go Solar Today!

352-317-3091

Solar Electric

Solar Water Heating Photovoltaic Monocrystalline Panels

5 kW PV system with Water Heating

Make your own electricity

Solar electric systems (PV) are an excellent way to use the power of the sun to work for you by ceating electricity for use in your home or business. It is an environmentally friendly investment and will save money on your power bill as well as increasing your property value, without an inrease in poperty value as most home improvements do.

Ground Mounts For PV Systems are very popular

Grid Tied

solar electric system in Gainesville, Fl

The most common use of PV technology is used with a grid tied system. This type of system produces a given amount of power on a daily basis. The home is still connected to the utility grid for electrical usage during overnight hours and periods of low solar irradiance.

Grid Tied PV System

SMA Grid Tie Inverters

How it works

We are able to convert sunlight into electricity using solar cells. Every day the sunlight strikes your roofs solar panels, bombarding them with Photons (particles of sunlight). The Solar modules convert these photons into DC electric current. The electrons flow through the solar array to a solar power inverter which change the DC current into usable AC power which is fed into your homes service panel to be used by your home

A bi-directional meter, supplied by your power company keeps track of what is produced. When your power demand is low, say when you are at work and the kids are at school, the unused power is fed back to the utility giving you a kilowatt hour credit. During night time hours or inclement weather you are using excess kilowatt credit that you gained during the day, in essence the utility becomes your backup power source.At the end of each billing cycle you will be charged for the power used and credited with the excess power that was generated. Similar to "roll over minutes" on a cell phone. At the end of a yearly cycle if you have produced more than you have used the utility pays you what they refer to as "avoided cost" or a wholesale rate for your excess production.

PV System F.A.Q.'s

Q. Does a Grid Tied PV system have batteries?

A. No, we like to think of your power company as your battery back up system.

Q. What about maintenance?

A. Aside from removing seasonal pollen from the solar modules, there is no maintenance.

Q. What size system do I need for a 4,000 square foot house?

A. What we need to look at is how much power is used in the home in terms of monthly average kilowatt hour usage.

Q. If I produce more than I use will my power company pay me?

A. Yes, but we suggest a system sized to eliminate 70-80% of your average use. The utility pays "avoided cost" or a wholesale rate for excess production.

Q. Are there any incentives available?

A. Yes! The Government recently approved the 30% investment Tax Credit (ITC). well into the next decade. The credit either comes off of the amount of taxes you owe, or comes back to you when you file your Tax Return. For example with a system cost of $15,000 you would recieve a $4,500.00 credit for a total investment of $11,500. So you are actually eliminating a portion of your total electric bill that as rates increase, you have prepaid your bill and have been given a 30% discount for doing so. It is a hedge against inflation that is also good for our environment!

Q. If I lose power does it still provide power?

A. Unfortunately no, all PV inverters have an "anti Islanding" feature to keep utility workers safe when restoring power.

One solution comes up every morning, lets put the SUN to work for you !!

352-317-3091

Call for a FREE quote!

Contact Us

LIKE US! on Facebook

CALL TODAY 352-317-3091

4000 SW 35 Terrace

Gainesville, Florida 32608

CVC #56812

E-mail: charlie@sunlinksolarenergy.com

Web View Mobile View

Logout Edit page