Right now, only 8% of our total enerfy use comes from renewable energy resources. The other 92% is primarily made up of fossil and nuclear fuel sources. Fossil fuels have had damaging effects on the quality of our air, water and soil. In order for people to continue to live healthy lives, we must increase the use of renewable energy sources.

The 3 most common natural renewable energy resources are the SUN, WIND and WATER. The first and most important renewable energy is Solar Energy from the SUN.

A Solar Water Heater is a device that helps us in heating the water by using the free and Natural Light energy from the SUN. The water can be heated to any desired temperature above normal temperature but cannot exceed the boiling point temperature of 100 C.

When the SUN's rays hit certain type of materials such as copper and aluminium, they become very hot. Lining containers with copper and aluminium can produce very high temperatures. As water flows through these containers, it gets heated. This heated water can be used for pool water, shower water or to heat homes..

Today, Solar heating is becoming more important than ever before. Natural gas and oil, which is burned to heat our homes and water is limited. As reserves of gas and oil shrink, these fuels become more expensive. If more people begin using Solar Heating Systems, fossil fuels such as oil and gas would become less expensive and last longer

Burning Natural gas and oil in our heating systems also causes air pollution. Even electric water and space heaters cause air pollution indirectly, because coal and natural gas is burnt to produce electricity in large power plants. So, if more people used Solar Energy to heat the air and water in their homes, our environment would be cleaner..

Consider any place like Houses, Hotels, Lodges, Hostels, Hospitals, Industries, and Colleges etc., most (80%) of the energy consumed by these organizations is used for heating water whether they are in the form of Electricity, Gas or Oil. Since major part of the energy consumed is for heating water, the need is to use an alternative way in which water could be heated by using the free and naturally available energy from the SUN. This led to the introduction of Solar Water Heaters.

Since the Solar Energy is inexhaustible and is abundantly available, we not only give importance in designing and manufacturing efficient and effective systems, but also make sure that the systems once installed must provide years of dependable service. We work on the principle that "Solar Energy is an inexhaustible source of energy and hence increase in the life of the system means increase in energy savings". Thus we commit ourselves to provide our customers a quality product at a competitive price.

At present, we have installed a wide capacity range of Solar Water Heating systems for various applications through out the country. These systems are not only satisfactorily working but also are providing the maximum efficiency for which they are designed.

The total number of Solar Water Heating systems that we have installed as on today contributes to the savings in electricity in the order of MEGAWATTS. These savings go on increasing as years pass. We are looking for potential applications of this Solar Water Heaters in various organizations and institutions to meet their hot water needs.

The basic components that are required for the effective working of a Solar Water Heater are

a) Collectors
b) Insulated Storage Tanks
c) Cold Water Supply Tank
d) Pipeline interconnecting them.

Depending on the system size, pumps may also be included in the system components.

Collectors form the most important part of the SWH system, because they serve the basic purpose of heating water. Solar Collectors trap the sun's rays to produce heat. Most solar collectors are boxes, frames, or rooms that contain these parts

(1) Clear covers that let in Solar Energy
(2) Dark surfaces inside, called absorber plates, that soak up heat
(3) Insulation materials to prevent heat from escaping; and
(4) Vents or Pipes that carry the heated air or liquid from inside the collector to where it can be used.

Cover:

Many clear materials can be used as covers for Solar Collectors, but glass is the most common material used. Glass can be made quickly and easily. The special glass used in solar collectors resists breaking and scratching. When sunlight passes through glass and hits a surface inside a solar collector, it changes into heat. Although glass allows sunlight to pass through, it also traps the heat produced inside the collector.

Absorbers:

The heat produced inside a solar collector is soaked up by metal sheets or containers filled with water. These dark-coloured objects that soak up heat are called absorbers. Without absorbers, SWH systems would not produce enough heat to warm the water or warm rooms inside your house.

Insulation:

Heat always tries to move from a hotter object to a colder one. Insulation is what prevents or slows down the movement of heat. Because insulation prevents the heat inside a solar collector from moving to the outside where the temperature is lower, it is an important part of any solar collector.

Vents and Pipes:

Collectors are basically of 3 types namely Flat Plate Collectors, Vacuum Tube Collectors & Parabolic Concentrating collectors. Solar Flat Plate Collectors are the most widely used collectors for SWH systems because of their Simplicity in design, easy operation and Installation and also they form a very good cost effective solution for hot water needs.

All SWH systems need a storage tank to store the cold water that is to be supplied to the collector and to store the hot water that comes from the collector. Since the natural law says that any hot substance tends to radiate heat to its surroundings to get back to its lowest energy state, it is obvious that the hot water in the storage tank also radiates heat, thus to prevent this radiation and cooling of water, the storage tank is insulated with Rockwool and Aluminium Cladding.

A shadow free area on the roof-top with enough of Sunlight. A cold water tank at a height of 7 - 8 feet from the terrace level.

Solar Water Heaters can operate in any climate. But, performance varies depending, in part, on how much solar energy is available at the site, but also on how cold the water coming into the system is. Only during the rainy season, you will need a Conventional electric backup system.

Yes. Loan facilities for SWH systems ranging from 100 LPD (Litres Per Day) to 2000 LPD are provided by some Nationalized Banks in various branches in different states through out the country. For systems more than 2000 LPD, loans can be avalied from IREDA or Intermediaries of IREDA in different states. For further information on loan assistance, please contact us at our address.

Solar Water Heaters once installed requires very little maintenance. Maintenance involves wiping the dust deposited on the glass surface once in 5 days. Wiping the glass every day will help increase the efficiency of the system.

Other important thing to be taken care of is to see that the main cold water tank from which water is supplied to the solar tank is always filled up to the level. Use of Automatic Level controller can help in maintaining a optimum level of water.

Solar Water Heaters once installed requires very little maintenance. Maintenance involves wiping the dust deposited on the glass surface once in 5 days. Wiping the glass every day will help increase the efficiency of the system.

Other important thing to be taken care of is to see that the main cold water tank from which water is supplied to the solar tank is always filled up to the level. Use of Automatic Level controller can help in maintaining a optimum level of water.

Solar Water Heating systems, depending on the capacity can be made to work on two different principles.

Thermosiphon Systems:

A thermosiphon system relies on warm water rising, a phenomenon known as Natural Convection, to circulate water through the collectors and to the tank. In this type of installation, the tank must be above the collector. As water in the collector heats, it becomes lighter and rises naturally into the tank above. Meanwhile, cooler water in the tank flows down the pipes to the bottom of the collector, causing circulation through out the system. The storage tank is attached to the top of the collector so that thermo siphoning can occur. These systems are reliable and relatively inexpensive, bit require careful planning in new construction because the water tanks are heavy.

Forced Circulation Systems:

This type of system is used for Solar Water Heating systems of capacity more than 2000 LPD. It uses a Pump and a Differential Temperature Controller to circulate and heat water..

The different applications of Solar Water Heating systems are:

• Residential Water Heating
• Hospitals and Nursing Homes
• Hotels, Lodges and Restaurants
• Feed water to boiler in Industries to produce steam
• Textile Industries
• Milk Diaries
• Any processing application where hot water is required.

Solar Water Heaters, both domestic and industrial systems is definitely a good invest ment for you. Solar Water Heaters are cost competitive in many applications when you account for the total energy costs over the life of a system. Although the initial cost of SWH systems are higher than that of conventional water heaters, the fuel (Sun Shine) is free. Further, these systems are environmental friendly. To take advantage of these heaters, you must have an unshaded, south-facing location (a roof, for example) on your property.

However, of all the Solar energy devices in the market, Solar Water Heating systems are found to be the most reliable, durable and are backed up by the longest warranty period of all other Solar Energy devices. Solar Water Heaters are known to have the fastest repayment of investment. The larger the capacity of the system, the more fast is the repayment period.

There are many benefits to owning a Solar Water Heater, and the important one is the economic benefit. Solar Water Heater economics compare favorably with those of electric water heaters. Heating water with the sun means long-term benefits, such as being cushioned from future fuel shortages and price increases, and environmental benefits.

Economic Benefits:

It makes economic sense to think beyond the initial purchase price and consider lifetime energy costs, or how much you will spend on energy to use the appliance over its lifetime. It is found that solar water heaters offered the largest potential savings, with solar water heater owners as much as 50% to 85% annually on their utility bills over the cost of electric water heating.

Depending on the price of fuel sources, the solar water heater can be more economical over the lifetime of the system than heating water with electricity, fuel oil, propane, or even natural gas because the fuel (sunshine) is free.

Paybacks vary widely, but you can expect a fast payback on a well-designed and properly installed solar water heater. (Simple payback is the length of time required to recover your investment through reduced or avoided energy costs). You can expect shorter paybacks in areas with higher energy costs. After the payback period, you accrue the savings over the life of the system, which ranges from 15 to 25 years, depending on the system and how well it is maintained.

You can determine the simple payback of a Solar Water Heater by first determining the net cost of the system. Net costs include the total installed cost less any tax incentives or utility rebates. After you calculate the net cost of the system, calculate the annual fuel savings and divide the net investment by this number to determine the simple payback. If you are building a new home or refinancing your present home to do a major renovation, the economics are even more attractive.

Long-Term Benefits:

Solar Water Heaters offer long-term benefits that go beyond simple economics. In addition to having free hot water after the system has paid for itself in reduced utility bills, you and your family will be cushioned from future fuel shortages and price increases. You will also be doing your part to reduce this country's dependence on foreign oil.

Long-Term Benefits:

Solar Water Heaters offer long-term benefits that go beyond simple economics. In addition to having free hot water after the system has paid for itself in reduced utility bills, you and your family will be cushioned from future fuel shortages and price increases. You will also be doing your part to reduce this country's dependence on foreign oil.

Environmental Benefits:

Solar Water Heaters do not pollute. By investing in one, you will bw avoiding carbon di oxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfhur dioxide, and other air pollution and wastes created when your utility generates power or you burn fuel to heat your household water. When a Solar Water Heater replaces an electric water heater, the electricity displaced over 20 years represents more than 50 tons of avoided carbon di oxide emissions alone. Carbon dioxide traps heat in the upper atmosphere, thus contributing to the greenhouse effect.

Be a Smart Consumer

Take the same care in choosing a Solar Water Heater that you would in the purchase of any major appliance. Your best protection si to consider only certified and labeled systems.

Bright Future

A Solar Water Heater is a long-term investment that will save you money and energy for many years. Like other renewable energy systems, Solar Water Heaters minimize the environmental effects of enjoying a comfortable, modern lifestyle. In addition, they provide insurance against energy price increases, help reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and are investments in everyone's future.