"Off the shelf" solar thermal canopies available

I served dinner in the driveway last week. I had to move the table from the patio into the driveway so there would be a tall blue spruce tree between the afternoon sun and the eyes of west-facing diners. The same day, I was pondering giving up hot water so I could shut down the water heater and switch off the natural gas during the summer, when the gas furnace is not running.

 I realized what I really need is a patio canopy and solar hot water. Then I read about a new line of DIY-mounted aluminum shades and canopies that incorporate solar thermal panels. These could solve both my problems.

 The shades are rows of horizontal panels mounted to homes and other buildings to block glare and reduce passive heat gain. The canopies accomplish the same goals, but they are free-standing covers for carports or garden areas. In both cases, the panels heat water for home use, radiant floor heating and swimming pools.

The idea is not new. Eliosolar of Los Angeles has an established line of custom-designed thermal shades. This week, it moved into the DIY, off-the-shelf remodeling realm. Eliosolar began selling four standard sizes of Solar Shade Modular Elements that mount to standard anchors and posts for relatively simple DIY installation. The shade modules range from 8 to 12 feet long, and from 2 to 12 feet wide.

The company estimates that its shades could heat 50 to 80 percent of an average home's hot water with about 200 square feet of shade or canopies. Meanwhile, shading over large exposed windows and walls can reduce air conditioning needs by 35 percent.

The panels are made with recycled and recyclable aluminum, and they hide the solar collectors better than some other solar panels, so you should get fewer complaints from neighbors or homeowners associations.

The systems also are eligible for federal and state tax credits and rebates. Click here for qualifying incentives in your state.

Blog post by: Steve Graham