Solar Energy of Illinois is a Chicago land business dedicated to providing an affordable alternative to rising electric costs. Since 1982, Solar Energy of Illinois has helped hundreds of homeowners lower their monthly electric bills by installing photovoltaic solar energy systems on their homes. However, that's not all. Solar Energy of Illinois also offers solar hot water and pool heating systems. Our goal is simple: to provide high quality, affordable, and energy efficient solar power products for your home and business.
At Solar Energy of Illinois, we want to educate consumers about the negative ways that fossil fuels affect the earth. We know that clean, reliable and renewable solar energy is an alternative to these ending fossil fuels, which produce dangerous toxins when converted into energy.
We considered installing a solar photovoltaic system for our residential home, a new construction, for many months. It seemed the clear choice for the environment and for our children's future. A more difficult decision involved the so-called "break-even" financial point. Therefore we requested three proposals from three different solar companies and allowed each company to provide what they believed was the best system.
One of the easiest ways to lower your monthly electric bill by 30% is to install a solar hot water system. Many homeowners are turning to solar hot water systems to save money, as well as the planet's valuable natural resources.
How does it work?
There are number of different solar thermal system designs available, but they are all based on the same principle; use the sun's energy to heat water in the most cost-efficient way. Here are two types of different systems: passive and active.
Passive:
The simplest systems are passive solar water heaters, also called batch or breadbox collectors, they are most common in regions that do not experience extensive periods of below freezing temperatures. The water in these solar collectors circulates without the aid of pumps or controls.
Active:
Active solar water heaters use pumps to circulate water or an antifreeze solution through heat-absorbing solar thermal collectors. This is the design that we are most focused on and believe it is the best solution for solar thermal water heaters in our area. An important distinction among solar thermal systems is whether they are of direct or indirect design.
There are number of different solar thermal system designs available, but they are all based on the same principle; use the sun's energy to heat water in the most cost-efficient way. Here are two types of different systems: passive and active.
Passive:
The simplest systems are passive solar water heaters, also called batch or breadbox collectors, they are most common in regions that do not experience extensive periods of below freezing temperatures. The water in these solar collectors circulates without the aid of pumps or controls.
Active:
Active solar water heaters use pumps to circulate water or an antifreeze solution through heat-absorbing solar thermal collectors. This is the design that we are most focused on and believe it is the best solution for solar thermal water heaters in our area. An important distinction among solar thermal systems is whether they are of direct or indirect design.
Indirect systems:
Do not heat the water directly rather they use fluid with a low-freezing point to absorb radiant energy from the sun. Also termed closed-loop systems, an indirect solar water heating system absorbs the sun's rays into heat pipes evacuated of air which in turn heats up the pipe's thin copper laminate located on the back of each pipe.
Direct systems:
Direct systems capture the sun's heat in collectors to directly heat a household's water supply. The system consists of collector pipes filled with water that are linked to an insulated storage tank usually located inside a home. As the sun heats the water inside the pipes, the water flows into the storage tank.
Collecting the Sun:
Solar thermal systems also differ by the type of collector used to gather and store the sun's energy. Flat plate collectors are the simplest and most common type. Copper pipes wind back and forth through the flat plate collector, which is painted black to absorb heat and covered with glass, or "glazing," to prevent heat from escaping.
Do not heat the water directly rather they use fluid with a low-freezing point to absorb radiant energy from the sun. Also termed closed-loop systems, an indirect solar water heating system absorbs the sun's rays into heat pipes evacuated of air which in turn heats up the pipe's thin copper laminate located on the back of each pipe.
Direct systems:
Direct systems capture the sun's heat in collectors to directly heat a household's water supply. The system consists of collector pipes filled with water that are linked to an insulated storage tank usually located inside a home. As the sun heats the water inside the pipes, the water flows into the storage tank.
Collecting the Sun:
Solar thermal systems also differ by the type of collector used to gather and store the sun's energy. Flat plate collectors are the simplest and most common type. Copper pipes wind back and forth through the flat plate collector, which is painted black to absorb heat and covered with glass, or "glazing," to prevent heat from escaping.
 GE's solar electric power products and systems offer reliable, high quality power solutions for industrial, commercial, and residential applications. The sun can supply local power with no noise or air pollution and it works with both on-and-off grid systems. GE has been around since 1901 and now powers parts of over 100 countries around the world. Their integrated rooftop solar photovoltaic systems are helping millions of homeowners reduce their monthly electric bills and preserve natural resources. As they continue to develop new solar products, it's clear that this company is concerned about the future of our world.  BP Solar is a key division of BP's Alternative Energy business. With over 2200 employees, this global company is focused on using the sun's energy to create electricity. They are focusing on cleaner and newer technological sources which can help conserve the natural resources of the planet. With manufacturing facilities in China, the United State, India, and Spain, BP Solar has become one of the largest solar companies in the world. They design, develop, manufacture, and market various solar electric systems for governments, businesses, and homeowners. They strive to build only the very best solar products available today and we are proud to use their (products?). |
SE-21 3x7 22,900 BTU per day max Our thermal collectors feature Black Crystal selective coatings with an absorptivity rating up to 0.96 providing one of the highest efficiens in the industry. Rugged, powder-coated, extruded aluminum construction gives decades of trouble-free service, while our low-profile and simple mounting system make an attractive installation on your roof. FEATURES • Active indirect water heating with Drain-back technology • Eliminates both freezing and overheating concerns • Same narrow footprint as a standard 80 or 120 gallon water heater • Electric element for back-up heat if needed • Includes a dual-use flow meter and sight-glass • Includes programmable electronic controller with direct-read tank • Uses Solar Energy, Inc. glazed thermal collectors • Certified by the Florida Solar Energy Center and Solar Ratings SE-32 4x8 33,100 BTU per day max Our thermal collectors feature Black Crystal selective coatings with an absorptivity rating up to 0.96 providing one of the highest efficiens in the industry. Rugged, powder-coated, extruded aluminum construction gives decades of trouble-free service, while our low-profile and simple mounting system make an attractive installation on your roof. FEATURES • Active indirect water heating with Drain-back technology • Eliminates both freezing and overheating concerns • Same narrow footprint as a standard 80 or 120 gallon water heater • Electric element for back-up heat if needed • Includes a dual-use flow meter and sight-glass • Includes programmable electronic controller with direct-read tank • Uses Solar Energy, Inc. glazed thermal collectors • Certified by the Florida Solar Energy Center and Solar Ratings SE-40 4x10 41,100 BTU per day max Our thermal collectors feature Black Crystal selective coatings with an absorptivity rating up to 0.96 providing one of the highest efficiens in the industry. Rugged, powder-coated, extruded aluminum construction gives decades of trouble-free service, while our low-profile and simple mounting system make an attractive installation on your roof. FEATURES • Active indirect water heating with Drain-back technology • Eliminates both freezing and overheating concerns • Same narrow footprint as a standard 80 or 120 gallon water heater • Electric element for back-up heat if needed • Includes a dual-use flow meter and sight-glass • Includes programmable electronic controller with direct-read tank • Uses Solar Energy, Inc. glazed thermal collectors • Certified by the Florida Solar Energy Center and Solar Ratings |
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