Solar thermal systems: A quick intro
 Solar hot-water (SHW) systems, or solar-thermal systems, are perhaps the best value today in clean energy solutions. Their upfront capital costs are significantly lower than PV systems and their economic payback in years are in the lower single digits. Typical applications for solar thermal in the residential market are Swimming Pool Heating, Water Heating for the home, and Radiant Floor Heating for the home.
Swimming-pool heating accounts for a large part of solar thermal sales, approximately 800 MW per year, and will typically cost between $2,500 and $4,500 per installation. If you are replacing natural gas heating for your pool, these systems will pay for themselves in as little as two to three years.
Heating hot water typically consumes 13 to 15 percent of the energy used in a residential home, depending on consumption habits. Solar hot-water heating systems are designed to reduce, but not eliminate, the energy required to provide hot water to the home. Typical solar hot-water systems will cost between $2,500 and $4,500, with high end systems for large homes running up to $12,000.
Solar hot-water systems are very competitive with natural gas heating systems, and are extremely competitive with electric heating systems. Furthermore, they provide an effective hedge to future cost increases: while the price of gas is sure to go up, the price of sunlight stays the same… in fact, it’s free.
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