|
|
|
Solar Thermal Water Heating, 3 or more Occupants
|
Appleton, Wisconsin
|
|
|
This residential drainback system provides enough heated water for a family of six. Should you wish to know the math, three 4ft x 10ft collectors equals 120 sq ft. The rule of thumb is; for every square foot of collector the system can heat 1 gallon of water in 4 hours of sunshine. 120 sq ft will heat 120 gallons of water.
In the United States, a person uses an average of 20 gallons of hot water per day. The 6 occupants of the house pictured will demand 120 gallons of heated water - this system is a perfect match!
The drainback feature is necessary as the children move out of the house there will be less demand on the system. When the solar storage tank water temperature reaches 160 degrees, the pump will be deactived and the solar fluid will be allowed to drain out of the collectors into the small tank shown on the upper left corner of the picture. In this manner, this drainback method will protect the solar fluid from overheating.
|
|
Neenah, Wisconsin
|
|
|
Right smack in the middle of a circling cul de sac, our installation is prominently shown. Solar heaters operate quietly, cast no shadows, and can match nicely along the lines of the house - as this flush mounted array does.
The design is configured as a drain back. The small tank to the left of the solar storage vessel is installed into the solar loop proper. When the pump is deactivated, all of the solar fluid is drained from the collectors on the roof, and is safely stored from overheating or freezing in the basement.
|
|
Plymouth, Wisconsin
|
|
|
The owner of this modular home owns an automation machine building business. It was GreenSky's good fortune to have him as a client; as we learned a better method to connect the piping. Now we can use this knowledge on your project.
The home owner visited our vendors booth at the MREA energy show and gushed over the 170 degree temps holding steady in the insulated solar storage tank. That cold-water mixing valve placed after his water heater is sure getting a workout - having to introduce cold water back into the heated water flow!
|
|
Green Bay, Wisconsin
|
|
|
A garage masterpeice!
The owners of this spread has tall trees living just south of the house making this location problematic for a solar heating device. Look close, you will notice the tips of the trees shadowing just short of this garage mounted solar domestic water heater!
Option B had GreenSky installing the solar collectors on the detached garage. A shallow trench was dug and the solar loop was buried connecting the collectors to the solar storage tank located next to the water heater in the basement.
|
|
Appleton, Wisconsin
|
|
|
The husband owner of this majestic home desired to please his wife with "something green"!
He went all the way in recently installing a large 6 collector solar water heater - that has the capacity to heat 85 percent plus of this family of 5 with domestic water. Excess wintertime heat is channeled to the cement in-floor radiant tubing.
Between the stored heat in the cement floor and the 300 gallon solar storage tank (wrapped in foiled face insulation), it will be interesting to learn how long the house will be heated by solar alone. GreenSky expects all of the house to be heated during the moderate periods of equinox, and supplement the forced-air furnace nicely during deep winter time conditions.
I know for a fact she is green with happiness, as she smiled broadly while handing me a check for the final payment.
|
|
Edgar, Wisconsin
|
|
|
This farmer was named "Consertvation Farmer of the Year" recently for their efforts towards sustainability. It was very important to this dairy farming couple to direct their capital towards efficiency measures with a long time horizon.
It was amazing to hear about the farming methods of this hard-working farmer and his 160 cow grazing farm. Bit of a conflict to learn how he expected his cows to do the work of feeding themselves though!
As fossil fuel input costs increase to those "modern" farms, I would look for more of Wisconsin's dairy farmers to follow the lead of this Switzerland farm-raised lad.
|
|
Milladore, Wisconsin
|
|
|
The bearded one owning this spread is happy to watch the temperature gauges on this 6 solar themal collector design. Prominently ground-mounted with direct view from the road, all passer-bys will be treated with a curious feeling to learn more - we hope!
Matched with a 300 gallon solar storage tank, this system's primary function is heating domestic water, with excess wintertime heat being directed towards space heating. The owner plans to take heat from the system in the summer and warm the basement to end high humidity conditions.
|
|
Plymouth, Wisconsin
|
|
|
Wow, what a mess this installation turned out to be. It started as a restoration project - as the system was poorly designed with excess summertime heat allowed to build up in the system - ending in heat transfer failure.
Our solution was to convert the pressurized system to a drain back allowing for transfer fluid to drain from from the collectors when the solar storage tank met the 160 degree limit.
However, the collectors were filled with an oil-based transfer fluid that was difficult to clean out. The heat build-up at the upper manifold also had weakened the piping to the point we had serious misgivings as to collector longevity.
As we had already quoted the project and signed an agreement with a deposit, we offered this homeowner a choice - either we would return the deposit, or replace the collectors at actual collector cost.
The owner made a smart economic decision to have the collectors replaced.
|
|
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
|
|
|
This 8 collector solar thermal heating system cranks out a full 384,000 BTU's per full sun day.
The anti-freeze laden solar fluid is circulated through the collectors often attaining 170+ solar heated temperatures. The fluid is then pulled back to the house where is circulates through a heat exchanger at the bottom of the 400 gallon atmospheric solar storage tank.
The hottest water - being located at the top of the atmospheric tank - makes the domestic water flowing through the upper heat exchanger the primary function of this system. Water is drawn from the well and is pre-heated before entering this costumer's electric water heater. Since the February install, the customer is reporting a $110 per month reduction in his electric bill. Since the primary function was solar domestic water heating, this customer was also eligible for a $2500 Focus on Energy Cash Reward. Lots of savings going on right here!
The secondary heat exchanger, located 3/4 high, takes the task of pre-heating the water flowing back from the drywall business' office floor - before heading towards the boiler system for reheating. Customer reports not having to buy propane for the boiler since the system was installed, and assures us he will take full advantage of the Federal Tax Credit in deducting the 30% of the cost of this system from Federal Taxes Owed.
|
|
Appleton, Wisconsin
|
|
|
A four collector system installed on South Kensington Drive in Appleton, WI. This system is capable of providing hot water for a family of eight.
*New information; this customer has been sending a steady stream of referrals our way. This is proof positive of a happy satisfied customer!
|
|
Manitowoc, Wisconsin
|
|
|
This 3 collector drain back combination system is mounted on the home of Richard Larson, President of GreenSky Energetics, Inc.
This winter while rooting around in the basement, Richard reported hearing the pump switch on during a snowstorm. Very odd to say the least. Checking the temperature at the collectors, he was surprised to see 74 degree reading! During a snowstorm! On a 22 degree day!
The pump finally switched off after the water in the solar storage tank increased 17 degrees to 67.
|
|
Neenah, Wisconsin
|
|
|
This better-half doctor diagnosed a system design that would more fit future occupants than the current 2, so a drain back was ordered.
Look close at the basement pictures and notice the drain back tank nicely fitted on top of the solar storage tank. The smaller tank to the left is the water heater. The other half will appreciate the mechanism!
|
|
Adell, Wisconsin
|
|
|
Ground Mount!
Sunk a full 48 inches, the cement pillars will be expected to serve as a stable platform for the solar thermal collectors for the life of the occupants. More than 40 years of hard sun-heated labor!
GreenSky has a Master Plumber on staff and can also install a new water heater. Check out the rounded dome of the Marathon Electric model. This is the most efficient model we are aware of - sporting a full 3 inches of insulation and designed to lose only 1 degree every 5 hours. Not only that, but the plastic inner liner will not rust away which is guaranteed by a lifetime warranty.
In conjunction with a solar water heating system, the Marathon Electric water heater also serves as a storage mechanism alongside the solar storage tank.
|
|
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
|
|
|
The owners of this home had installed a solar air heater years ago and they knew intimately the heat generated by the sun's energy is intense enough to increase the temperature - well above - the limit imposed by where they set the thermostat for the primary natural gas furnace.
The purchase of this pictured solar domestic water heater was a natural next step - especially in leiu of the incentives that helped pay for the device!
Richard and all of the install crew thank him very much for the apples from his orchard!
|
|
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
|
|
|
This is the first Greensky installation located in Sheboygan, WI. We sincerely thank Al Goetz for believing in our ability to complete the installation.
It should be noted this customer was 80 years old when this system was installed. He said he just wanted to do the right thing with his money.
|
|
Hortonville, Wisconsin
|
|
|
This is a most excellent client.
The owners of this house visited our installation in Appleton during the Parade of Homes early spring 2010. Thousands of people had the chance to tour and listen to the President of GSE directly explain the mechanicals installed in the basement of the new home, and this most certianly had a positive influence on these homeowners.
Shortly after, this couple visited Richard at the WBAY Home Show and registered for a solar site assessment. But they weren't waiting for a phone call from us; as they made an appointment right at the home show.
It was an excellent move on their part as pricing is continuing upward. Right now, the system is working perfectly saving them money, and saving the environment from emissions. This should be a lesson to all of you, now is the time to act; you won't save anything by waiting.
Check out our pipe supports attaching the solar loop to the wall frame between the walls. GSE has a 30 year experienced carpenter on staff to perfect the install.
|
|
Algoma, Wisconsin
|
|
|
A question potential customers tend to ask is what happens when the collectors are covered in snow? The easy answer is the collectors are tilted up, as the sun's radiation passes through the snow, it is enough to slick up the surface of the glass to allow the snow to slip off.
Look close at the picture, you can see the snow piled up beneath the collectors.
|
|
Manitowoc, Wisconsin
|
|
|
This is a three collector solar domestic water heating system installed in Manitowoc WI. Owner states of using only two therms of natural gas July 2008 compared to 27 therms of gas the previous year.
*New information; customer has just inked a deal to have a solar air heating system installed. Pictures will follow soon after the installation is complete. Estimated time of completion is mid-September.
|
|
Reedsville, Wisconsin
|
|
|
Solar Domestic Water Heating System installed in Reedsville Wisconsin. Plenty of free hot water will be gained from the sun's energy for this two occupant home.
Excess summertime heat to be used to heat the water in their hot tub.
|
|
Ephraim, Wisconsin
|
|
|
What a beautiful ground mount!
The close to the surface limestone rock ledge had some necessary engineering performed by a PE; who recommended this cement slab anchor point.
The owner of this house is known as the number one Gold Bug Investment Advisor in Wisconsin. He instantly recognized the guaranteed return on Investment and did not hesitate in the slightest to get this project in place.
|
|
Seymour, Wisconsin
|
|
|
This couple has been interested for years in solar energy and quickly worked through the solar site assessment process to procure their share of the sun's energy.
The failsafe drainback design gives them the flexibility to take long summertime vacations without worry of overheating the system.
|
|
Denmark, Wisconsin
|
|
|
Located atop their summer kitchen, the collectors and solar loop are in full display. You can trace the path of the solar loop along the roof, to the house, down the wall and in through the basement sill.
|
|
Plymouth, Wisconsin
|
|
|
The long-distance truck driving owner of this house has an interest in the environment and a very strong desire to be energy independent.
This 2 collector solar domestic water system will heat nearly 100 percent of this three occupant home's summertime use - even including their teenage daughter and the accompanying long showers! The system will also supply around 50 percent of their use between fall and spring equinox.
The owner is very satisfied with the performance and the high solar loop temperature has exceeded their expectations. In mostly his words, "Holy "expletive", I didn't think the temperature was going to be that high!"
Recent Sheboygan Press Story
|
|
Denmark, Wisconsin
|
|
|
Shady conditions prohibited this house from having a normal south slope mount.
The photovoltaic panel, visually attached to the upper left hand corner of the solar thermal collectors provide the electricity to power the pump that circulates the solar fluid.
A 100 perent renewable energy producing device!
|
|
Neenah, Wisconsin
|
|
|
The evacuated tube system that this customer had installed 24 years ago was in very poor condition. A number of tubes were losing their evacuation every year as well as some actually breaking. The external covering around the insulation, protecting the solar fluid at the top, was also deteriorating allowing moisture into the insulation. Along with all of this, the customer reported serious declines in heat production.
The customer wisely decided to replace these evacuated tubes with a flat-plate array. The advantage is having tempered solar glass sporting 6,000 lbs per square inch tensile strength and rigid aluminum framework. The inner workings of these collectors are 100 percent copper. They will continue to operate well beyond 40 years!
|
|
Bonduel, Wisconsin
|
|
|
Two for the price of one!
(almost)
This specially designed pressurized closed-loop solar domestic water heating system services two houses. The solar collectors are mounted on the garage roof of the apartment, situated less than 25 feet from the main house. The solar loop travels down from the three roof flush-mounted solar collectors into a utility room located in the garage. A 45 gallon solar storage tank is used to preheat the domestic water for the apartment.
A diverter valve, located in this utility room, will send solar heated fluid to the heat exchanger located in the apartment's solar storage tank. When the temp reaches 160 degrees, the diverter valve will send the solar fluid to the 119 gallon solar storage tank located in the main house. The brain of the system, a Caleffi controller, monitors the temperature of the solar collectors and the water in both tanks and makes the call.
On a full sun day, this system provides enough hot water for all 7 occupants of both homes!
|
|
Random Lake, Wisconsin
|
|
|
This Random Lake, Wisconsin four occupant home is a perfect fit for this two collector solar domestic water heater. The rule is for every square foot of collector, one gallon of water can be heated in four hours of sunlight. This 80 sq ft system will easily heat eighty gallons of hot water per full sun day!
Check out the wall support for the solar loop. The collectors are designed to last well beyond 40 years, so it behooves every installer to similairly install every peice of the system to last as long as possible.
Before filling the solar loop with solar fluid every system GreenSky installs will be air pressure tested to more than 50 pounds. Any sodered joint leaking will be found during this test. The system is then filled and the pressure in the loop should be steady between 20 and 50 pounds of pressure - depending on the temperature of the system.
Every pressurized closed-loop system will be equipped with a pressure gauge and you will be able to determine a leak in the system through a drop in pressure. During the course of our workmanship warranty, we will fix any size or type leak at no charge. However, with the routine we have in place, I wouldn't count on having any leaks!
|
|
Green Bay, Wisconsin
|
|
|
Believe it, even through this thick coating of ice the system was producing nearly 120 degree solar loop temperature.
Take the First Step!
|
Installation Services and Technical Support
 We work with reliable professionals in the plumbing, electrical, roofing, construction, and engineering industries to guarantee that you will be satisfied with all of our renewable energy solutions. Our technicians will be there for you to make sure the job is done right. We provide courteous and professional service under all conditions. GreenSky Energetic's is dedicated to customer satisfaction and committed to the needs of both residential and commercial customers. We will make sure that your property is left as nice as it was when we arrived.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|