The Technical Potential of SWH to Reduce Fossil Fuels & GHG Emissions in the USA (2007)

This study from 2007 provided by the NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) offers a technical analysis of the solar water heating (SWH) potential in reducing fossil fuel consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions in U.S. residential and commercial buildings.

Solar water heating has been through ups and downs in the USA, depending on a number of reasons like energy prices or tax credits. Lately due to the price volatility of energy sources, the increased concerns with environment, as well as with the sustainability and security of energy supply, Solar Water Heating has been gaining new and more supporters.

In 2004, water heating in the residential sector consumed about 23% of all residential natural gas use, 8% of all residential electricity use, and about 12% of total residential energy expenditures. Nationwide, about 8% of all end-use natural gas is used to heat water in commercial and residential buildings.

In this study, solar water heaters were evaluated in terms of end-use energy reduction, primary energy reduction and CO₂ emissions reduction. Results point out the potential of SWH will depend largely on economic and market barriers to the deployment of current and future SWH systems, but prospects are very positive.

The Technical Potential of SWH to Reduce Fossil Fuels -