FAFCO Solar Domestic Hot Water (SDHW) Systems NOW available. 

Solar water heating uses thermal solar energy to heat water for home, business, or industry.  Unlike pool heating that is a low temperature solar application, hot water heating is a medium temperature application.  For domestic hot water heating (DHW) needs such as laundry, bathing, dish washing, etc., medium temperatures are desired (110^o-140^o).  Until now, a typical "flat plate" panel would consist of a copper absorber plate and waterways enclosed in an insulated aluminum box with glass glazing.  Water is stored in your standard water heater or in another insulated storage tank similar to a water heater but larger.  As with your house plumbing, all pressurized piping interconnecting panels, storage tanks and water heaters should be insulated copper. Besides domestic use, these systems are used to heat water for radiant floor heating, hydraulic forced-air space heating, spas, etc.

FAFCO has been in the DHW business before and is again offering a unique and revolutionary SDHW system under a U.S. Department of Energy grant.  All solar loop piping, drainback tank, and panels themselves are non-metallic.  Yes, a completely plastic SDHW system (with the exception of the pumps motors, heat exchanger, and stainless steel potable connection lines.  The advantages are all these components are non-corrosive, more tolerant of freezing conditions, and less subject to price increases that all metals have experience over the last several years and expected to continue.  The panels are also unglazed, so much more solar energy can be absorbed by the water within the panels.  This means that, at temperatures less than 120^oF, the FAFCO panels are actually more efficient than the much more expensive "boxed and glazed" or evacuated tube metallic panels.  We may not perform as well when ambient air temperatures are cool, but annual performance relative to cost is much better.  In other words, a better BTU bang for your buck.

It comes in three designs: Revolution, SunGrabber, and Hot₂O. 

• The Revolution system is more or less restricted to the CA and FL markets through FAFCO's larger exclusive retailers.  We can get it but the shipping is more expensive due to the wider panel size making the shipping box much larger requiring common carrier shipment.
• SunGrabber is designed more for the contractor and the one we will be stocking and distributing to solar and plumbing dealers throughout the NW and Hawaii.  It also has a 10 year warranty. 
• The Hot₂O system if more for the self-installer or do-it-yourselfer (DIY) and is somewhat similar to the SunGrabber with a lower warranty (3 years).  We will not be handling it.  

Both the Revolution and SunGrabber are shown below.  You can see they are similar but somewhat different too.  The main difference is in the panel size.  The basic Revolution system uses a 4x12 foot panel similar to the pool heating Revolution panel with striations across the panel body to increase water turbulence with in the panel to enhance solar collection and performance.  The SunGrabber and Hot₂O systems use two 2x12 foot modified SunGrabber panels with smaller tubes and headers. 

Initially, in areas where there is no dealer set-up yet, we MAY sell these systems and components direct to the consumer.  However, being a wholesale distributor, as with the pool systems, we prefer working through qualified dealers and thus will work towards developing a dealer network throughout our distribution area including Hawaii.  If interested in becoming a dealer hit this hyperlink or the "Become a Dealer" button at the top of the page .  Typical dealers are in the plumbing or solar business.  If you want to get on our list for information on our solar water heating systems, contact us.

As of 3/25/08, the Revolution systems are OG-100 and OG-300 certified through SRCC and QUALIFY for the Federal solar tax credits of 30% of the system cost up to $2000 and the Oregon solar tax credits of 50% up to $1500.  The SunGrabber approvals are pending and should soon be certified as well.  OG-100 is on the panels only and OG-300 is on the whole system.  Check with dsireusa.org  for incentives that may be offered in your state to verify what certifications are required.  Most incentives, including the federal tax credit, requires OG-100 but some others, like Oregon's state tax credit and local utility rebates, require OG-300 as well. 

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Page last updated: August 11, 2009