Description:

20 Apricus evacuated tube collector. 40 gallon Super Stor tank. Sun Earth controler.

Other Benefits:

I located the solar controller in the hall near the bathroom. There is an electric heat element in the top of the tank and I put a switch for it next to the controller. If the water is not hot enough for a shower (likely due to clouds for too long), I turn the heat element on about 1 minute per degree, never for more than 15 minutes.

Maintenance Requirements:

None

My Motivation:

I didn't like having to keep my oil burner running in the summer just for hot water. I wanted to stop using oil, fossil fuels.

Advice:

I joined Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative and volunteered to help with several energy raisers installing similar systems. After learning how with PAREI, I installed my own system myself. www.plymouthenergy.org

Additional Notes:

I added a switch on the electric hot water heating element. It is located outside the bathroom door beside the controller. If the water in the tank is not hot enough for a shower, I turn the switch on for 15 minutes.

Open House Info:

From exit 20 on I-93 head N&E on US-3 & NH-11 for 4.8 miles. Turn Left at light onto Bay Rd. Go 0.5 miles. Turn right onto Lower Bay Rd. Go 3.2 mile. If you think there is a fork in the road, bear right. (It turns to dirt at about 3.1 miles.) Turn right onto Kaulback Rd (dirt). 3rd drive on right. WARNING: Some GPS systems puts my address on an undriveable abandoned road in the middle of the woods about a mile away. PS. I am a terrible housekeeper but the energy stuff is cool.

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