Solar Domestic Hot Water

ENMAX Energy is committed to providing Albertans with simple, affordable and innovative energy solutions. We are looking to harness the power of the sun with Solar Domestic Hot Water System (SDHW) and Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panels that offset natural gas use or electricity required from the electric distribution system.

Currently, ENMAX Energy is investigating solar domestic hot water systems that rely upon solar thermal technology. We are excited about the opportunity to offer this technology to our customers as early as mid-2009.

What is solar thermal technology?

Solar thermal technology is the conversion of solar energy into heated water that can be used for domestic use or space heating in your home.

The SDHW that ENMAX Energy is exploring supplements a conventional hot water tank with solar-heated water. This product uses a separate storage tank which feeds into an existing hot water tank. Instead of your hot water tank having to heat water from a very cold ground temperature, it gets supplied with water that has already been warmed by the sun. This may reduce the amount of fossil fuel generated energy needed to heat the water. 

How do I know if my home or business is eligible for solar thermal technology?

The following are some of the key characteristics that make a site suitable for SDHW:

1. You need a south-facing roof exposed to full sunlight during the day;
2. You must have space for a second water tank near your existing hot water tank; and
3. There must be reasonable access between the solar collector and the utility room.

Typical solar domestic hot water system

The following figure is a typical SDHW installation for a home.  The solar heat collector on the roof pre-heats the water in the second water tank through a heat exchanger. The warm water is then fed into the conventional hot water tank. The conventional hot water tank, as a result may consume less fossil fuel generated energy as the incoming water is pre-heated.