INTRODUCTION TO COMMERCIAL SOLAR HOT WATER HEATING

Prepared by

Gerald W. Abele
(Full Version for Distribution) June 2012

P.O. Box 5561, Spartanburg, SC, 29304, Ph: 864-463-4352, Fx: 864-463-4670 www.zimmer-solar.com info@zimmer-solar.com

Types of Solar Energy and Systems:

Solar-photovoltaic (PV) systems convert sunlight directly into electricity. The higher the light intensity, the higher the output of the solar cells. Solar-thermal energy systems use the heat of the sun to produce hot water, even on a cloudy day.

Solar Thermal vs. Solar Photovoltaic

To illustrate: The chart below displays a comparison between a typical residential Solar Thermal Hot Water installation and a corresponding PV system. As can be seen, the Solar Thermal System has a much smaller footprint, costs a lot less and offers much higher efficiencies than the PV system.
Description Cost of System Less Tax Credits (55%) Net Investment Payback System Life Expectancy Collector Area Ratio Collector Area required CO2 Reduction (45%) Solar Domestic Hot Water Systems $10,000.00 $5,500.00 $4,500.00 3 to 5 years 25 years plus 20 SF per 1 kW 4 kW = 80 SF 2.9 t/year Photovoltaic PV Systems $20,000.00 $11,000.00 $9,000.00 6 to 10 years 25 years plus 100 SF per 1 kW 4 kW = 400 SF 2.9 t/year

Ratios for commercial systems are very similar.

Applications for Solar Thermal Systems:

Residential Commercial Industrial Institutional

Solar Thermal Systems form an integral part of a hot water system. In addition to supplying hot water for domestic use, these systems can also be used to supply hot water for commercial and industrial processes.

Solar Hot Water Systems: (SHWS)

Reduce Energy Costs up to 80% of your water heating bills! Conserve conventional energy; Increase the value of your investment property without currently increasing tax values and property taxes; Reduce major CO2 emissions; Be independent a system pays for itself in a fairly short time; And then, enjoy the significant savings in energy costs! Thermal Solar Power Lease Purchase Agreements (TSPLPA) are available, for little or no upfront system costs!

Thermal Solar Installation Examples

Solar for Radiant Heating

Apartment Hotel

Commercial Hot Water Systems

Hotel Complex

Thermal Solar Installation Examples

Waterworks Building Spartanburg R.J. Rockers Brewery

Fire Station in Raleigh

Waterworks Building Spartanburg

Ultimate Textile Inc

Solar Hot Water for Lab 3 collector system with 120 gal tank

Thermal Solar Installation Examples

Carwash in Colorado Apartment Complex 18 collectors w. 2,500 gal solar energy tank

Thermal Solar Installation Examples

Solar Heaven

Meat Processing Plant 120 Collectors 5,000 Gal Hot Water Storage

System Components:
A) Solar Collectors: D) Tanks for Solar Systems:
- Residential Tanks:

B)

Fittings & Mounting Systems:

- Commercial Tanks:

- Expansion Tanks:

C)

Heat Exchange Systems:

E)

Electronic System Controls:

Collector Construction

Working Principle: the interior of a vehicle left in the sun in the middle of winter gets toasty warm

THERMAL COLLECTORS FROM ZIMMER, are:

The Solar Factory

European designed, high quality and high performance collectors which resemble sleek skylights on your roof Compact and light weight for ease of installation, weight distribution Sized 3.5 x 6.5 only 64 lbs! Cost effective assembled in North America Backed by a 10 year manufacturers warranty SRCC approved with high performance ratings Over 10 Million Square Feet of Thermal Collectors sold per year!

Robots laser weld riser pipes to absorber sheet

Collector Assembly Line

Solar safety glass

Collectors are designed to withstand hail the size of golf-balls

Tough products for harsh environments!

Collector ZSP-1200 HE SC AB:

This glazed aluminum frame collector is truly a workhorse designed for use in pumped systems. High efficiency due to the best available materials and latest European technologies paired with top quality assembly make this light weight thermal flat plate collector unique in the industry.

Technical Data
Collector Type Overall Area Aperture Area LxWxH Weight Absorber Capacity Frame Surface Back Plate Absorber Sheet, (aluminum) Absorption Emission Header and Footer Piping Riser Piping Connections Solar Glass Transmittance of Glass Insulation Max. Stagnation Temperature Maximum Operating Pressure Transfer Medium (Solar Fluid) Standard Packing

US Norms
aluminum frame collector 21.86 SF 20.30 SF 6-4 x 3-6 x 3 62 lbs 0.4 gal aluminum profile anodized black aluminum sheet high selective vacuum coated (PVD) 95 % 5% 3/4 copper 3/8 copper compression fittings 1/8 tempered low iron safety glass 89 % 5/8 PUR plate + 3/4 mineral wool 392*F under test conditions 145 psi propylene glycol/ distilled water, 40% individually wrapped, 15 per pallet

Product Benefits:
Laser-welded, full-surface absorber with highly selective coating; 10 year manufacturers warranty; Highest quality assurance program; Intelligent product design assures optimal value for the investment; Emission free, recyclable materials result in a long service life and environmentally friendly product; Tempered low iron safety glass; Maximum heat transfer between the full-surface absorber sheet and the copper riser pipes through state-ofthe-art laser welding technology; Easy transport and installation due to the low weight of only 62 lbs and a depth of only 3; European styled, high output, small foot print for best weight distribution.

Solar Collector Mounting Systems

1) Flush Mounting System Use flush mount hardware kits for a neat, clean installation on a pitched asphalt shingle or metal roofs. Kit includes four U-channel feet with butyl water proofing, eight stainless steel lag bolts, washers and lock washers, and four T-clip lockdown assemblies. No collector mounting penetration on standing seam profiled metal roofing! 2) Solar Strut-Rail Mounting System For installations of 3 or more panels, the solar strut-rail mounting hardware simplifies the installation. The kits include U-channel feet with butyl water proofing, Uchannel solar strut rails, stainless steel bolts, washers, lock washers, nuts and T-clip lockdown assemblies.

3) Tele-Rack Mounting System Easily adjustable tele-rack hardware installs a collector array at the perfect tilt on a flat roof or on the ground. Kits include pivoting front feet, telescoping rear legs, Uchannel solar strut-rails, stainless steel bolts, washers, lock washers, nuts and T-clip lockdown assemblies.

SolVelox, pump, heat exchange and control station

SolVelox can convert any existing water heating system into a solar hot water system.

Efficient: High performance collectors are only half of the equation. The secret to an effective solar hot water system lies in pulling the heat out of the collectors and putting it into the storage tank. The SolVelox does this better than any other freezeprotected system currently on the market. Compact: Optimized performance with a low profile look. All valves, pumps, controls and cleaning ports are fitted neatly into one easy-to-maintain package. Labor Savings: SolVelox is quick and easy to install. Once fastened and connected to the tank and the collectors are mounted on the roof, its just a question of running the insulated pipes from the collectors and connecting them to the SolVelox. Plug and Play - its that simple!

Residential & Light Commercial

For light commercial installations up to 21 collectors

SolVelox, residential & light commercial

pump, heat exchange and control station

Officially Americas Most Efficient System in its class! OG-300 certified by the SRCC (Solar Rating and Certification Corp.) SolVelox achieved the highest rating of any of the freeze-protected solar hot water system using less than 95 square feet of collector area. The SEF rating given to the SolVelox translated to a solar fraction of 86% with 64 square feet of collector area. SolVelox, the pre-packaged, integrated solar thermal core, is designed for maximum efficiency at a minimum in installation time.

For large commercial installations from 24 to 150 collectors

SuperVox, commercial pump, heat exchange and control station

The SuperVox allows the easy installation of large commercial water heating systems for 1000, 2000 or 3000 square feet of collector area.

STORAGE TANK SAMPLES

COMMERCIAL ATMOSPHERIC STORAGE TANK FOR ON-SITE ASSEMBLY

Tanks are supplied with or without internal, stainless steel, ribbed heat exchange coils

Haase energy tank T400 performance characteristics

Adroit Solar installed two 940 gal.(T417-37) and one 1200 gal. (T419-45) Haase Energy Tanks for the HillN Dale Apt. Complex in San Diego, CA. The 1200 gal. tank will supply 32 units with 1480 gal of DWH per day, and the two 940 gal. tanks will supply a 26 unit and 24 unit building with 910 gal and 840 gal of DWH per day, respectively.

Independent Energy Systems installed this 940 Gal. Haase Energy Tank (T417-37) for the Sunset Magazine Idea Home series at the upscale Montera community in Monterey, CA. The Haase Energy Tank for this 6800 square foot, 5 bedroom/bathroom home will handle the DHW and the under-floor heating system.

High Efficiency

Light Commercial Solar Hot Water System

featuring

18 Collectors with 729 gal solar energy storage tank

and

2 SolVelox Pump, Heat Exchange and Control Stations

Collector Arrays Hot out

Solar Loop Charging Side

Domestic Hot Water Discharging Side

Backup System Pump & Heat Exchange

Solar Energy Tank

SolVelox 1 SolVelox 2 Cold in

High Efficiency

Large Commercial Solar Hot Water System

featuring

60 Collectors with 2405 gal Solar Energy Storage

and

SuperVox-2000 Pump, Heat Exchange & Control Station

Sensor

Collector Arrays

SYSTEM SCHEMATIC
Hot out

Solar Loop 2 copper

Solar Loop Charging Side

<- Sensor

Domestic Hot Water Discharging Side

- Mixing Valve All other loops 1-1/2 copper

Sensor -> <- Sensor Solar Energy Tank Steam-Back Expansion Tank Temperature Differential Controllers

Back-up System
(Pipe Tanks parallel)

<- Expansion Tank

Expansion Tank ->

Cold In SuperVox

NEWS FLASH! SOLAR ENERGY FACT:

$$$ Heating water with the sun can save up to 80% of your annual energy costs for heating water! A SDHW-System will not only save you money, but actually MAKE you money!

US Solar Zones
Solar even works up here!

Locating of Solar Collectors:

Locate panels where you can get direct sunlight from 09:00 to 17:00 hours on December 21st. Tilt: Ideal is your locations latitude. Steeper if more heat is required in winter, shallower if more heat is required in summer. Worst case scenario is only a 9% loss in system efficiency. Azimuth, due south is best. However, up to 45 degrees either way will work with not too much loss in efficiency (3.5% max). If you need to get beyond 45 degrees off south in either direction, increase the area of the collectors to compensate. Pointing more east will provide quicker recovery in the morning, pointing more west will provide more heat in the evening. Shading will reduce the output of the system in direct proportion.

Collector Array Spacing to Prevent Shading

Calculation for X1 and X2: 1) ZSP-1200 = 76 high; 2) Winter Solstice ~23.5; 3) Collector Tilt = 30

Therefore: X1 = h x cos (30*) = 76 x .866 = 65.8 or 5.50 or say: X1 = 5-6 H = h x sin (30*) = 76 x .500 = 38.0 or 3.16 or say: H = 3-2 X2 = H / tan a (23.5*) = 38 / .434 = 87.6 or 7.30 or say: X2 = 7-4 X1 + X2 = 12-10, say: 13-0 (toe to toe)

SHADING

Solmetric Sun-Eye View

Energy Monitoring

Energy Monitoring

Spartanburg Airport Facility 2 FP-1200 collectors with 80 gal electric commercial hot water tank

Energy Monitoring

Spartanburg Airport Facility Solar Contribution for the Month of May 2012

Solar Contribution

Reduction in Carbon Footprint

Spartanburg Memorial Downtown Airport 2 collector system with 80 gal tank

NEWS FLASH
$$$ Solar Systems qualify for Tax Incentives: 30% Federal Tax Credit
plus

25% Tax Credit in South Carolina.

(maximum $35,000.00 distributed over 10 years)

Thats 55% off the installed system cost, Residential or Commercial!

additionally for commercial:

50% First Year Bonus Depreciation 2012 + Various grants are also available

Anytown Wellness Center, SC Domestic Hot Water Load Calculation

Level Male Lockers Female Lockers Staff Lockers Office Areas Total Fixture Units FU-Loads in gpm Total gpm Minutes per Use Usage per Day Gallons per Day Lavatory 3 3 0 0 6 1.5 9 2 75 225 Showers 5 5 0 0 10 2.5 25 7.2 75 1350 Janitorial 0 0 0 1 1 2.25 2.25 3 1 6.75 1,582 Kitchen Sinks 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Kitchen Dish-wash 0 0 0 0 0 1.4 0 Laundry 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 Other 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 36.25 1 17 Totals 8 8

Notes: Fixture unit values are based on Table E 103.3 (2) Load Values Assigned to Fixtures, 2006 International Plumbing Code, Appendix E

Balanced systems equal best performance First in last out piping principle apply

RETScreen Simulation
Emission Analysis

Base case electricity system (Baseline) Country - region United States of America Fuel type All types

GHG Emission factor tCO2/MWh 0.544

T&D losses %

GHG Emission factor tCO2/MWh 0.544

GHG emission Base case Proposed case Gross annual GHG emission reduction GHG credits transaction fee Net annual GHG emission reduction tCO2 tCO2 tCO2 % Is Equivalent to Acres of forest absorbing carbon 53.1 17.0 36.0

tCO2

36.0

8.2

GHG reduction income GHG reduction credit rate $/tCO2

Cash-Flow Projection for 77 Room Hotel with in-house Laundry Facilities

Calculation is based on current natural gas rates

TSPLPA
Thermal Solar Power Lease Purchase Agreement
Benefits:
No or low upfront costs to the system host Immediate savings through discounted rates for solar energy during the lease period Option to buy the system for 25% of the initial system price after 10 years

Excellent return on investment (ROI) for system host after buy-out

TSPLPA can be tailored to work for non-profit entities and municipal projects There are grants available for additional savings (see www.dsireusa.org) TSPLPA provides indirect advantage of tax incentives for renewable energy Going solar provides green public relations opportunities At a 5% cap rate, every Dollar saved in energy cost equals a $20.00 increase in property value

TSPLPA
Thermal Solar Power Lease Purchase Agreement
Prepare for the rising cost of fuel sources in the very near future; the current five year NYMEX Natural Gas Price Curve indicates an annual increase of 6% in NG rates TSPLPA is the logical alternative to eventual ownership as it provides the owner of a facility with all the benefits of a solar hot water system with little or no upfront cost This model is also of great advantage to non-profit entities for whom tax incentives are not available The solar system will become an attractive sales tool for the ecologically and economically-minded green marketing opportunities abound Solar Hot Water Systems increase sales values while reducing the average time-on-the-market for listed properties Solar hot water can help make facilities eligible for energy efficient certification and related additional energy tax credits

TSLPA Thermal Solar Lease-Purchase Agreement

for

Commercial Solar Hot Water Systems

System Host Cumulative TSLPA Savings
20,000 18,000 16,000 14,000 12,000 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

System Host ROI Residual Value: $35,000.00

103,970 91,644 79,793 68,397

Discount Savings Inflationary Savings

57,440 46,904 36,773 27,032 17,666

Savings during lease period through discounted rates for solar energy supplied
8,660 1 25% 26%

Example for 77 Room Hotel with in-house Laundry Facilities

27%

28%

29%

30%

31%

33%

34%

35%

Years 11 through 20

Return on investment after buy-out of system by system host

Important Websites www.dsireusa.org

DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. Established in 1995 and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, DSIRE is an ongoing project of the N.C. Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council.

www.solar-rating.org

Thank you very much for your interest. We look forward to working with you on your next Solar Project! Go Green
and

Enjoy the Rewards!

Call: 864-316-0889

P.O. Box 5561, Spartanburg, SC, 29304, Ph: 864-463-4352, Fx: 864-463-4670 www.zimmer-solar.com info@zimmer-solar.com