Green Beer All Year – Use Solar Thermal for Your Hot Water Needs

IDS recently completed what is thought to be the first solar thermal installation in Indianapolis using evacuated tube technology manufactured by Apricus Solar, Ltd. It is one of the most advanced and efficient forms of solar thermal technology for use in this climate zone. The evacuated tubes collect the sun’s energy as heat which is then transferred through two heat exchangers to heat domestic hot water used in the restaurant, bar and microbrewery operations for the Broad Ripple Brew Pub.

According to the U.S. Green Building Council in its New Construction & Major Renovation Reference Guide, “buildings annually consume more than 30% of the total energy and more than 60% of the electricity used in the U.S.” It also maintains that “green building practices can substantially reduce or eliminate negative environmental impacts and improve existing unsustainable design, construction and operational practices.”

The owners of the pub were approached by IDS with an invitation to conduct an energy assessment at the pub to determine whether solar thermal technology would be a cost-effective measure to supplement the demand for hot water. We conducted an analysis which considered past utility data, types of water usage, building structural components, equipment capacities and available financial incentives.

We then proposed a design that sought to offset approximately 50% of the hot water created by two natural gas water heaters with estimated efficiencies in the 60-70% range. We also proposed the use of a combination of federal, state and local utility incentives that would allow the pub to recover over 40% of the cost of the system within approximately 1 year or less from the time of installation. After application of incentives and estimated average rate increases, the savings in energy cost should pay for the system in approximately 2-3 years. The system life is approximately 30 years and as natural gas prices increase over time the savings will also continue to increase since energy from the sun is free.

Additionally, we would note that are numerous benefits in the use of renewable energy which include “not only savings on energy costs, but also hedging against rising fossil-fuel energy costs, reduction in air pollution, increasing energy generation diversification and energy independence.” Solar thermal is an excellent example renewable energy technology that can provide this breadth of value.