Arizona

The solar thermal cooling plant at the United World College (UWC) in Singapore has now entered the commissioning phase. The system's collector surface covers an area of 3,900 m² and powers a 1,500 kW cooling unit, which is based on a single-effect lithium bromide absorption chiller. The United World Colleges are international schools with an emphasis on social and environmental issues. With 2,900 pupils, Singapore's UWC is the largest of the 13 colleges spread around the world.
Photo: S.O.L.I.D.

Pioneering solar water heater technology in California: William J. Bailey, a clever business man from California, started producing solar water heaters in his company Day and Night Solar Heater Co. exactly 100 years ago. The technology was based on Bailey´s own patent, which was approved on 2 August 1910.
Photo: A Golden Thread*

The three major US-American water heater manufacturers - A.O. Smith, Rheem and Bradford White – are pushing into the solar thermal sector. All of them specialize in solar water heaters in the size of 60 / 80 and 120 gallons. Rheem and A.O. Smith additionally offer entire kits by purchasing collectors from OEM manufacturers. Photo: Rheem

This report was released by the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy section of the U.S. Department of Energy in 2004. It highlights a large-scale solar thermal system installed at the Phoenix Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) and breaks down the statistical output.

The system was financed through an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC), which include an average annual savings of $6,700. The system produces up to 50,000 gallons of hot water daily, 1,000 megawatt-hours of electricity and releases approximately 600 tons of CO2.

This document has the Arizona Solar Right’s Law (ARS 33-439) in the sidebar and provides the benefits of using solar thermal devices that justifies the law that protects homeowners’ rights from using solar thermal equipment. Included in the benefits it talks about how using a domestic solar thermal water heating system can eliminate the production of 2,800 pounds of pollution annually, while a swimming pool heating system, on average, can eliminate 10,000 pounds of pollution annually.

This report was put together by Michael Neary, executive director of the Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association. It covers several aspects of solar thermal power in Arizona including: the public bodies that have the authority to approve supportive measures; solar energy tax credits; air-quality benefits; economic developments benefits; and recommendations for Arizona’s solar industry.

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This document lays out the steps and requirements necessary to enroll in the solar water heating systems' rebate programme granted by the Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative (SSVEC), an energy cooperative in Arizona, USA. A refund of 75 US$ct/kWh saved over traditional water heating in the unit’s first year is being offered by the programme.

In order to receive the rebate, it’s compulsory to be a member of the cooperative. The solar system has to respect the OG-300 rating of the national Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC).

This page is from the Arizona Solar Center and describes the component and installation certification and warranty requirements for solar water heating systems in Arizona. Guidelines and procedures follow the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC) guidelines.

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This 2009 paper underlines the overall benefits of solar power especially when considered as part of a country or region's energy generation options mix. In addition to listing the available technologies, the document also looks into the economics of solar thermal and provides a summary comparison among parabolic through, central receiver and parabolic dish technologies.