The solar thermal hot water solar systems available today are highly engineered and efficient. Many of these technologies are designed and engineered in Germany and have years of use proving their reliability and performance. Evacuated tube solar collectors offer an option for higher thermal temperatures and lower heat losses over the traditional flat plate collectors. They cost more per square foot of collector area over flat plate collectors, but out-perform per square foot of collector area. Solar storage tanks are specifically built for this application, come in a variety of sizes and shapes to meet the customer's requirements. Residential storage tanks can be supplied with internal heat exchangers resulting in one less pump, and higher heat transfer efficiencies.

  • Re-engineered Solar Technologies.
  • High energy prices mark the end of cheap fuel due to the growth of our nation, as well as rapid growth in China and India make Solar Thermal a sustainable option.
  • The abundance of sunshine in the US makes solar a good choice as a co-fuel alternative.
  • Solar energy systems help the environment by reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
  • It pays for itself.
  • Businesses and homes equipped with solar equipment have higher resale value over those that don't.
  • Federal and state tax credits available up to 30% percent of the cost on a commercial system. The federal tax incentive for residential solar thermal is $2000 dollars, or 30% percent of the cost of the system. The Solar Investment Tax Credit bill was signed in October 2008, as part of the "Emergency Economic Stabilization Act" designed to encourage individuals and businesses to make investments in Solar Energy. These tax credits are available through December 2016.
Recharge Colorado is an incentive program that has limited funding available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Funding for solar thermal, wind turbines, photo voltaic and weatherization programs are still available until the fund is exhausted.


When comparing the cost of installing a solar thermal system versus a solar photo voltaic electric (P/V) system, a few factors should be considered. The installed cost per watt for solar thermal is $3.75 - $4.00. The cost of photo voltaic has come down over the years and is costing $5.40 - $7.50 per watt installed watt. The average P/V panel is around 14% percent efficient. P/V panels work better in colder climates as heat reduces their output. When comparing the cost versus the output produced between the two systems in KWH, solar thermal is five times more efficient. The efficiency of solar thermal panels varies from 60 – 85% percent efficient. Hot water in an average house hold accounts for 20% of the annual energy consumed. This number increases in commercial applications. Both systems have their uses and needs.

“Aesthetics over performance”. Testing of modern collectors has shown that only small amounts of performance is reduced on installations where the collector is aesthetically placed on a building. Collectors can vary as much as 30 degrees from the ideal sun angle, South and lose only 5 -10 % in efficiency. We are committed to make every installation as aesthetically pleasing as possible. New vacuum tube collector technology now allows for the use of installing collectors on flat roofs inside of parapets with little slope resulting in undetectable solar installations.

Site Analysis – By performing physical on site evaluation, using the Solar Pathfinder™ and reviewing your building design, we can quickly analysis a site for year round solar suitability. Shading factors from trees, buildings, hills, parapets, as well as roof sections and building orientation from building plans are all looked at and factored into the total analysis. Contact pwirth@wic.net.

System Sizing: Sizing the system is an important part of any sale as it ties into return on investment and performance of the system. Using F-Chart™ or RETScreen™ solar modeling computer programs, we can properly size and design a well balanced system to fit the owner's objectives.

System Design: Designing the system and integrating the solar panels into a building, or a roof is an important part of the design process. We have flat panel collectors that work very well with contemporary architecture. These collectors can also be installed on the side of a building tying in to the architecture. All plumbing, mechanical connections and equipment are installed to conform to the latest building and mechanical codes.