This is my first blog post.
This will be a place where I discuss solar water heating(including solar pool heating). This is an interesting industry in the U.S. It has largely been ignored since it’s modern inception about 30 years ago. Today there are more than 30 million solar water heaters in China, while only around a million in the U.S..
I have a unique perspective on the industry as a contractor and an online dealer for do it yourselfers. I talk to people all over the country and it’s interesting to see the different attitudes toward solar hot water in different regions. In parts of California, Hawaii, Florida and Arizona the technology is gaining mainstream acceptance. While in other parts of the country, a majority of people don’t even know what they are or the simple basis behind the technology.
Still, the industry is growing. In 2008 20,000 solar water heaters were installed in the U.S.. While last year(2011) more than 40,000 systems were installed with another 20,000 solar pool heaters. This represents more than 3 times the number of solar electric installations, but solar PV still has more name recognition for some reason.
If you want to learn more about the history of solar water heating. I suggest you start with this article on our site. History of solar water heating.
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About the Author:
I am co-owner of Discountsolarwaterheaters.com. I have 7 years of experience in the solar industry, having designed, installed, supervised, or worked on over 200 solar water heating and pool heating systems including residential and commercial systems.