California Solar Initiative - Thermal Program SOLAR WATER HEATING TOOL KIT For Single-family Residences 2013 Southern California Gas Company. Trademarks are property of their respective owners. All rights reserved. Some materials used under license, with all rights reserved by licensor.
Contents 1 2 3 4 5 6 What is Solar Water Heating? How Does it Work? Types of Solar Water Heating Systems Benefits and Costs of Solar Water Heating The California Solar Initiative Installing a Solar Water Heating System 2
1 What is Solar Water Heating? 3
1 What is Solar Water Heating (SWH)? A solar water heating system preheats your water with the warmth of the sun to help your existing system use less energy. This technology is called solar thermal. 4
1 Solar Power vs. Solar Water Heating Solar power panels (photovoltaic) convert light energy into electricity Connects to the building s electrical system Common PV types have an efficiency of less than 30 percent** Solar thermal collectors gather heat energy from the sun Connects to the building s plumbing system Solar collectors can be as high as 87 percent efficient* **National Renewable Energy Laboratory * Environment California Research & Policy Center 5 5
2 How Does it Work? 6
2 How Solar Water Heating Works Sun Heats Collector Collector Heats Transfer Liquid Transfer Liquid Heats Coil Coil Heats Water System Works More Efficiently 7
3 Types of Solar Water Heating Systems Closed-loop Active Passive Integral Collector Storage Open-loop System 14
#
Types of Solar Water Heating Systems: Closed-loop Passive Dual Tank System 3 Solar Tank (on roof) Sun Heats Collector Collector Heats Transfer Liquid Transfer Liquid Heats Coil Coil Heats Water Conventional Tank System Works More Efficiently 10
Types of Solar Water Heating Systems: Integral Collector Storage System 3 Solar Batch Collector (on roof) Sun Heats Collector Collector Heats Stored Water System Works More Efficiently Conventional Tank 11
Types of Solar Water Heating Systems: Open Loop System (Not Eligible) 3 Solar Batch Collector (on roof) Sun Heats Collector Collector Heats Stored Water Water Circulates throughout Plumbing System Conventional Tank or Boiler 12
4 Benefits and Costs Of Solar Water Heating 13
4 Benefits of Solar Water Heating Reduces the amount of energy used to heat your water Lowers the cost to heat your water Reduces greenhouse gas emissions 14
Benefits of Solar Water Heating: How Much Does a SWH System Cost? 4 The cost of a SWH system can vary considerably depending on the type of system, conditions, installation costs, and how much water you use. The median project cost for all statewide, single-family applications as of 2013 is $9,794. 15
5 The California Solar Initiative What is it? Eligibility Rebate 16
5 What is the CSI-Thermal Program? A statewide incentive program which offers cash rebates to customers of the four investor-owned utilities who install qualifying solar water heating (SWH) systems on their homes The program is administered under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission 17
Eligibility What Solar Water Uses Are Allowed? 5 Domestic Hot Water Consumption Drinking Food preparation Washing Laundry 18
Eligibility What Uses Are Not Allowed? 5 Solar heated water cannot be used as a medium to carry heat for some other end use Example: Space heating or cooling No pools or spas 19
Eligibility System Types 5 Eligible Systems Closed-loop Active Indirect Forced-circulation Closed-loop Passive Thermosiphon Integral Collector Storage System Passive System Eligible only in certain climate zones 20
Eligibility System Requirements 5 Single-family residential SWH systems must have an OG-300 System Certification from either: Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC) or International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) All components must be new and unused with a few exceptions System installations must conform to manufacturer's specifications and all applicable codes and standards All systems must have freeze and stagnation or overheat protection 21
Eligibility Ineligible Systems 5 Open-loop Active Direct Forced Circulation Open-loop Passive Thermosiphon 22
Eligibility Residential Requirements 5 Applies only to natural gas customers The host site must be occupied by the homeowner and/or applicant The household must currently be participating, or have previously participated, in a Commissionapproved and supervised gas corporation Energy Savings Assistance Program If occupied by renters, meet the requirements in Public Utilities Code (PUC) Section 2861(e) The property will be required to remain income-eligible for at least 10 years from the time of the SWH system installation Must meet an income-eligible property condition as listed in the program handbook The SWH system must be owned by the homeowner 23
Eligibility Energy-Efficiency Audit 5 An energy-efficiency audit is required to receive a rebate Certified contractors and certified self-installers can complete the audit online 24
Rebate How Much is the Rebate? 5 It varies. The rebate is based on how much energy the solar water heating system is expected to displace annually. 25
Rebate How is the Rebate Calculated? 5 Incentive Rate x Annual Energy Savings x Surface Orientation Factor x Shade Factor = Rebate Amount Rebate can be estimated using online calculator Visit socalgas.com/solar for link 26
Rebate Other Incentives 5 You may also qualify for other incentives outside of the CSI-Thermal Program. Visit dsireusa.org to learn about incentives at the local, state and federal levels. 27
6 Installing a Solar Water Heating System Who can install? Contractors Self-installers Contractor Tips 28
6 Installing a SWH System 29
6 Who Can Install a Rebate-Eligible System? To be eligible for a CSI-Thermal Program rebate, a qualifying SWH system must be installed in one of the two following ways: By an Eligible Contractor By a Self-installer All installations are required to comply with all applicable laws, codes, regulations, permits and installation requirements A final signed-off permit issued by the appropriate permitting agency is required to be eligible 30
Who Can Install a Rebate-eligible System Contractors 6 To be eligible, a contractor must be: Licensed by the State of California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) and have an active: A (Engineer) B (General) C-4 (Boiler, Hot Water Heating and Steam Fitting) C-36 (Plumbing) or C-46 (Solar) contractors license, and be in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the CSLB 31
Who Can Install a Rebate-eligible System Contractors 6 Contractors must also attend a mandatory CSI-Thermal contractor/installer training workshop presented by one of the state s Program Administrators to be certified in the program. Each contractor who meets these requirements is included in the CSI-Thermal Program s List of Eligible Contractors 32
Who Can Install a Rebate-eligible System Self-Installers 6 Self-installations are permitted in the CSI-Thermal Program Homeowners who choose to install a SWH system on their property must attend a CSI-Thermal Program contractor/installer training workshop to be certified in the program for their qualifying system to be eligible for a rebate 33
Who Can Install a Rebate-eligible System Self-Installers 6 Self-Installers are also required to comply with all applicable laws, codes, regulations, permits and installation requirements 34
6 Tips on Choosing a Contractor Interview a minimum of three eligible contractors and obtain written bids from each for comparison A link to a list of eligible contractors can be found at socalgas.com/solar Request references from previous customers Review past installations to ensure the costs were reasonable, the customers were satisfied, and the systems are performing properly. Verify that the contractor s license is current and active at www.cslb.ca.gov Remember the contractor must hold an A, B, C-4, C- 36 or C-46 license 35
6 Tips on Choosing a Contractor Make sure all quotes for the project are in writing Only sign a contract if you fully understand the terms and have determined that the costs are within reason Never provide more than 10% of the system s cost for an upfront deposit Do not make final payment until the system is installed and operating properly Do not hesitate to ask the contractor questions about his business, the system, or anything you may not understand 36
6 Suggested Contractor Questions What is the best type of system for my situation? Is this system SRCC OG-300 certified? What is the estimated annual energy savings? Will you be obtaining a permit for my project? Does the contractor installation meet the program warranty requirements? How do I maintain the SWH system to prolong its life? Can I talk to your past customers about their SWH system? 37
6 Contractor Questions For You How many people live in the house? How much hot water is being used? How big is your current tank? How old is your current tank? Any current hot water problems? HOUSE LAYOUT Where is the current tank? Where can the solar tank be placed? Where can the pipes be run? SITE CONDITION Trees and shading issues? ROOF CONDITION Size, shape, orientation, structure? 38
1 For More Information Program Handbook with all program details List of Sun Exposure Websites: Los Angeles County: http://solarmap.lacounty.gov/ City of Anaheim: http://anaheim.solarmap.org/ List of eligible contractors Available at: socalgas.com/solar Questions? E-mail: swh@socalgas.com 39