SolarPowerShower
January 14th, 2010
Contact : Sam Duncombe: 242 362 2724
e: solarpowershower@gmail.com
web: www.solarpowershowerbahamas.com
Nassau, The Bahamas
A long-time advocate for the environment, Sam Duncombe of reEarth is taking her concern for the environment to a new level and making it her business. With the launch of SolarPowerShower, a company dedicated to offering the Caribbean an alternative to high electricity bills and high alternative energy prices, Sam Duncombe is seeking to revolutionize the Caribbean’s energy portfolio. Duncombe, says “once the system is paid for, the sun provides you with “free” hot water”.
Solar water heaters save energy, and saving energy saves money. Solar water heaters are fueled by the sun. This means they use the sun’s radiant heat energy, rather than electricity, to heat water, so it reduces your electrical use, thus reducing your monthly bill. According to the Bahamas Meteorological Office, The Bahamas typically has 315 days of sun per year. Water heating contributes approximately 30% to a typical household electricity bill, at 30 cents a kWh that translates to approximately $1500 per year for a 4-person household or $125 per month.
Saving money is not the only benefit. SolarPowerShower is passive and maintenance free as there are NO mechanical parts to break down. Solar heaters are better alternatives to tankless, or propane options, because of the on-going costs associated with both of these heating systems.
Second only to heating or cooling a home, heating a household’s water is the largest energy user in our homes because they work around the clock, all year long. This also makes them one of the greatest CO2 emitters, releasing approximately 8 tons a year, almost double that emitted by a typical modern automobile! This represents a significant contribution to global warming.
To put it in another perspective, if half of all households used solar water heaters, the reduction in CO2 emissions would be equivalent to doubling the fuel-efficiency of all cars.” The reduction in CO2 emissions and other pollutants have further benefits than mitigating the risk of global warming. The absolute nonpolluting nature of these systems guarantees cleaner air for us to breathe. In addition, it reduces the need for hundreds of thousands of kWhrs, reducing a country’s dependence on non-renewable energy sources. This conserves fuels, such as oil, coal and natural gas, for other uses and represents a significant load off electricity corporations, leading to less power shortages and subsequent economic costs. SolarPowerShower has the solution; they say, “Our solar water heater is the most cost and energy efficient solar system – it requires no maintenance. Its high efficiency provides hot water after just a few hours of sunlight. This is the environmentally friendly answer to a family’s hot water needs.”
According to Minister of the Environment Earl Deveaux, the Bahamas could reduce its fuel import bill by $11 million per annum simply by converting to compact fluorescent bulbs and solar water heaters. Replacing four 60 watt bulbs with 13 watt compact fluorescent bulbs would reduce fuel consumption by 44,000 barrels of oil per year and a savings to the country of $2 million per year. Minister Deveaux went on to say that replacing 80,000 water heaters with solar water heaters would result in an annual reduction of fuel of 175,000 barrels of oil This was based upon usage of an electric water heater being on for 2 hours a day. Practically, there are a handful of people who routinely turn their heater off when not in use, so the savings at the end of the day stands to be considerably higher.
In 2007, reEarth called on the government of the Bahamas to consider providing soft loans for consumers to be able to install solar water heaters thereby reducing their energy bills, and those of the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC). It would also start the process of weaning the country off of fossil fuels and limiting its submission to the sporadic prices of the international oil market.
Our standard 40-gallon solar heater costs $1373.00, and approximately $450.00 to install. If governments were to introduce a low interest loan, over a one, three or five year period, the consumer could choose a payment plan that would suit their pocket book best. In a year, at average Bahamas kWhrs (30 cents) they could pay for their solar heater. If the consumer chose the three-year plan it would cost them roughly $50 per month, at 5 years it would cost $30.00 per month. At the end of the “loan” the consumer would enjoy FREE hot water. No oil or LNG pipedream can match that. With the promise of duties going down on solar water heaters, that would reduce the initial cost of purchasing the solar water heater, subsequently reducing these payments.
Additionally, investing in alternative energy presents the opportunity to stimulate employment. The environment represents one of the world’s fastest growing industries; investing in solar water heaters would require training people to install them. If a government is seeking to create meaningful long term jobs, lower their carbon footprint and work its way toward energy independence, investing in solar water heaters are a first step, win-win solution.
The Caribbean is an area of the world at great risk to the effects of global warming and as a collective should be investigating ways to mitigate these impacts. The region should follow New Zealand’s lead by forbidding any future fossil fuel based projects and making compact fluorescent, LED lights, solar water heaters and other clean alternatives duty free. Laws must be instituted (in the Bahamas) that allow and encourage individuals to install alternative generating systems for their homes and businesses and initiatives must be pursued to secure our energy future with clean, reliable, renewable alternatives. Our future is at stake. The time is now and there’s no looking back.
Thermosyphon Non-Pressurized System - How It Works Thermosyphon systems rely upon the passive heat exchange based on natural convection which circulates liquid without the necessity of a mechanical pump. It has a tank for the heated water and a solar collector mounted on the same frame. Heatpipes transfer the heat energy from the collector to the tank. They are simple, efficient and less costly than flat plate solar panels and very suitable for climates with a lot of sunshine.
SolarPowerShower water heating systems are a revolutionary breakthrough in solar thermal technology. Unlike the traditional single solar panel, Solar Power Shower consists of two layers of glass tubes heated by the sun. Each individual tube can be replaced if damaged, at a minimal cost and the system can still operate with missing tubes. This is strides ahead of the flat plate solar panel technology which requires total replacement if at all damaged. Additionally, the SolarPowerShower circular glass tubes can absorb solar energy regardless of the sun’s position, making it more efficient than the flat panel collector, which requires direct sunlight.
SolarPowerShower comes in various sizes and can be applicable to all sectors of the community, residential, commercial and industrial. Whatever your needs are, there is a system to fit, with a budget to satisfy. A typical household of 4 persons would require a 52 gallon system at a cost of $1199.00 (Introductory price, not including installation – estimated at $450.00). With savings of approximately $1500.00 per year on typical BEC bills, this system practically pays for itself within a year.
Alternate energy systems are the wave of powering the future. Installing a solar powered system in your home actually increases the value of your home, especially as more and more persons begin looking for alternate power sources in the future.
As an introductory offer SolarPowerShower is brought to the public at a 20% discount – visit our website for more details. We also offer exceptional pricing on large orders.
Tank shell (inside and out) food grade stainless steel
Polyurethane insulation
Stainless steel frame
Evacuated borosilicate glass tubes 1
5 year life on vacuum tubes
Stable and reliable performance
Liquid in heat pipe boils at 77O F, heats the copper which heats the water
Maintains heat for 72 hours
Back up electric element
Magnesium stick to control calcium build up
5 year warranty
Solar Water heaters help Save the Earth !