February 15, 2009
Professor Hunter in New York Times op-ed on solar hot water systems
Professor Larry Hunter, Stone Professor of Natural Sciences (Physics), advocates in a February 11 New York Times op-ed piece for the use of solar hot water heaters. Solar hot water systems, he argues, are more energy efficient and less expensive to install at home than are the more well-known photovoltaic solar panels. On the advantages of the comprehensive solar water-heating system, he writes:
Three 4-foot-by-8-foot panels (covering a total area of 96 square feet) can, in full sunlight, deliver about 4.5 kilowatts of heat — enough to heat about 50 percent to 80 percent of the water used by a family of four. The cost to install such a system, including the panels, a water storage tank, piping, a pump and control electronics is usually less than $10,000.
In comparison, a photovoltaic system that can produce 4.5 kilowatts in full sun requires 11 like-sized panels and costs about $40,000. Here in New England, where our annual average illumination is equivalent to only about three hours of direct sunlight per day and relatively high electricity rates (about 16 cents per kilowatt hour), either system can replace about 5,000 kilowatt hours of energy a year. A conventional coal-fired power plant delivering the same amount of energy would emit about five tons of carbon dioxide. But the hot water system pays for itself in 13 years, while the photovoltaic system takes about 50. In places with more sunlight like the Southwest, much more energy can be produced.
A federal tax credit would help jump-start consumer use of home solar water heaters, Hunter argues. He adds that it would also create a niche product market for which skilled but currently unemployed construction workers would fill a void.
Mina Suk '99 | February 15, 2009 12:41 PM | Faculty
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