Checklist for Commercial Solar Thermal Projects

 

       Solar water heating supplements and preheats water to your existing water heating system to reduce your utility bill.  Because of                cloudy days you will always need to have a full backup system in place.  Keep in mind that all commercial solar thermal projects are              custom.  Even buildings of identical size and use can be slight differences to roof pitch, orientation and water storage areas.

 

Here are a few things you can provide that will help speed the process from a sustainable idea to project completion...

 

1. Are you the building owner or a tenant?

2. Is your existing fuel source is natural gas, propane, electric or another source?

3. If you are on a metered gas service from a utility company like PG&E, we will need to know which gas meter will be tied into the water heating system we are augmenting.  We will need to know the meter number, the size and the pressure of the incoming gas line.

4. List all appliances used in the building so we can separate water heating from uses like furnaces, stoves, ovens, etc.  

5. Please, provide copies of your utility bills - preferrably the most recent 13-months.  

6. The collectors need to face the sun in a good, unshaded, southern orientation. 

7. Do you have a flat roof or a tilted roof?

8. Roof warranty - We will likely be making some roof penetrations.  If your roof is still under warranty, we will need the contact persons from the roofing contractor who is honoring your roof's warranty.

9.  What material is the roof made of?  Please, provide pictures of the roof close enough that we can see what it is made of.  

10. There needs to be enough space for water storage and access to pumps, water storage, etc.  Where will the water storage area be located, and how can we access this area?

11. What is the size of the incoming domestic water line and the water pressure?

12. Local plumbing, electrical and structural codes must be followed, and permit drawings must be created.  Please, provide ASBUILT drawings of your facility or please direct us to a location where they can be found. 

 

You will likely have more questions?  Please, call us.  We look forward to helping you to cost effectively Go Solar!