Solar Hot Water Systems in other locales
In may parts of the world, solar hot water systems are affordable and useful, for example in Israel and Greece. Even in the United State 1 in 50 homes has some sort of solar collector on the roof (Bull and Hazeltine 242). In Bolivia, the Gaviotas Foundation installed many rooftop solar hot water systems on new apartment buildings and other structures (Wiesman).
Solar Hot Water Systems in Parras
There are three rooftop solar systems in Parras:
- Hotel Perote Solar Pool Heating System, Parras
- Zaragoza #1 Solar Hot Water System, Parras
- Residential Solar Hot Water System, Parras
Current Water Heating Methods in Parras
Currently, most families heat their water using gas-fired water heaters. There is evidently some concern about the cost of gas, as many families use the hot water heater as part of a manual on-demand system, where they light the heater only immediately before it is needed. At Zaragoza #1, people already make use of solar radiation to heat their water. Señora Rosa Guadalupe Vinelna said that it is not necessary to turn on the gas hot water heater during the day. This could be because it retains heat, or because of solar radiation the outdoor water heater tank absorbs, or a combination of both.
An appropriate solar hot water implementation must be affordable enough for households to justify its cost on the basis of energy savings. The cost of gas in Parras to which the construction cost of a solar hot water system must be compared to is: 'find this information'
Potential for Solar Hot Water Heating Systems in Parras
Year-round weather in Parras
Parras is a high desert oasis town in northern Mexico. The abundance of water combined with year-round sun exposure makes Parras an ideal location for solar hot water heating implementations
Testing
Sources
- Weisman, Alan. Gaviotas: A Village to Reinvent the World. Chelsea Green Publishing Company, 1999. [ISBN 1890132284]
- Bull, Chirstopher; Hazeltine, Barrett. Appropriate Technology. Academic Press; San Diego, 1999. [ISBN 0123351901]