LEED Version 3 certification uses a point scoring system where points are given for building projects that strive for energy savings, water efficiency, carbon emission reduction, enhanced indoor environmental quality, and management of resources. A total of 110 points are offered, including 10 bonus points. A minimum number of 40 points is needed for a building project to become certified. The four levels of LEED Version 3 certification and their required points are: Platinum, 80-110; Gold, 60-79; Silver, 50-59; Certified, 40-49.

LEED Version 3 points are available in the following categories: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, Innovation in Design and Regional Priority.

The Energy and Atmosphere category offers a total of 35 possible points. This category is further broken down into six specific credits. Credit 1 is named Optimize Energy Performance. A total of nineteen points may be given for Credit 1. Credit 2 is called On-Site Renewable Energy, which offers a total of seven points.

If your building project is incorporating a solar thermal system, you may be able to receive LEED Version 3 points from Credit 1, Optimize Energy Performance. (Since solar thermal does not actually generate power like solar electric does, the energy savings received from solar thermal does not qualify in Credit 2, On-Site Renewable Energy.)

LEED Version 3 points from Credit 1 for inclusion of a solar thermal system are calculated by first establishing a reference building as a baseline. Then data regarding the system is analyzed using a simulation software program, comparing it to the baseline. One point is awarded for every 3.5% of energy efficiency over the baseline, with a maximum of ten points available.

Since solar thermal is generally less expensive than many other renewable energy technologies, it is a much more economically feasible way of obtaining LEED Version 3 points for your building project.

Three leading companies that offer solar simulation software packages to those in the renewable energy fields are RETScreen International, Vela Solaris AG and Valentin Energy Software.

At the onset of a new renewable energy project, each one of the three companies’ software package allows the user to input information regarding the site’s location and define the energy requirements for the project. The user may then select a template or configuration from the software’s database, and in addition, may select specific commercially available products to be used. The software will generate the simulation evaluation which will include financial feasibility and potential cost savings, calculation of weather data, energy production, expected energy savings and emission reductions of the project.

RETScreen International developed their Clean Energy Project Analysis Software with the input of experts from government, industry and academia from around the world. RETscreen is applicable to various categories of renewable energy, not just solar energy. The software consists of a series of worksheets to be filled in by the user, along with a comprehensive database that is the largest and most detailed of the three software packages. The user may omit any of the worksheets that do not apply to their project. It is suitable for large commercial and governmental projects, although it may also be used with smaller residential undertakings. RETscreen software may be downloaded free from their website.

Polysun Simulation Software was developed by Vela Solaris AG, a Swiss corporation. Polysun Simulation Software is a set of four software programs specifically created for the design of heat pumps, solar thermal, photovoltaic and cooling systems. Each software program is available separately or as a complete set of four. In addition, each program is offered in three user levels, light, professional and designer. The evaluation process provides detailed reports in PDF format, including colorful graphics, and is a significant feature of this software. A Polysun demo copy may be downloaded for examination on the Vela Solaris AG website. Polysun is also available for purchase on the site.

Valentin Energy Software, based in Berlin, Germany, offers two solar energy simulation programs. Their T’SOL software was conceived for solar thermal energy systems, while their PV’SOL is for used in the design of solar photovoltaic systems. Both programs are also available in three user levels, express, professional and expert. The company’s Meteonorm software, a global climate data database, is also available separately. Customized versions of T’SOL and PV’SOL may also be developed by Valentin for individual user objectives. Valentin Energy Software may be purchased through distributors or online on the company website.

What one of these is the best solar simulation software package? Our suggestion is to download the free copy of RETscreen and try it out. If RETscreen does not meet the needs of your applications, then download the demo copy of Polysun and determine if this software is a better choice for your company. In our evaluation of the T*Sol product we found that it didn’t compete effectively with the Polysun for a number of reasons. Most notably was the lack of SRCC certified collectors and standard U.S. components. If RETscreen or Polysun does not provide the requirements that you need, perhaps your company should consider a customized version of Polysun, T’SOL or PV’SOL.

Although the main objective of each of these software packages is to facilitate in the design process, the professional looking reports generated by them will also assist solar energy companies in the marketing of their products to potential customers.

One of the main reasons for the growth of the solar water heating industry was the extension of the residential and commercial solar investment tax credit. Additionally, the public has become increasingly aware of solar energy options available and more concerned about the overall energy crisis.

Even with the significant growth of the solar water heating industry in 2008, solar energy (solar water heating and photovoltaics combined) accounts for only 1% of the total U.S. energy usage. This small percentage is mainly concentrated in several states, possibly as a result of varying http://www.solarhotusa.com/support.html. The state of Hawaii, with its tax credit of 35% of the cost of a solar hot water installation, accounted for 37% of the total MWTh installed in the U.S. in 2008.

The U.S. currently ranks fourth in the world in installed solar energy capacity (solar water heating and photovoltaics combined). Germany ranks first, with Spain and Japan ranking second and third respectfully.

It is expected that the U.S. solar water heating industry will continue to grow in the coming years as the country confronts the issue of reducing solar energy costs to the same level as that of conventional fossil fuel energy.

Each of these websites has introduced their company to the potential customer with content that is informative, clear, concise and up to date. Each one has provided a description of a typical solar water heating installation, some with illustrations. All of these websites have also included their company’s solar energy credentials and the reasons why they should be chosen as the customer’s installer. Some have incorporated photographs of their recent installations, with customer feedback. In addition each one has presented the information in a professional looking website that is easy for the user to navigate.

Since websites should be designed as marketing tools, each of these websites has been graded on the elements of aesthetics, content and navigation, and have been given a numerical score in each. Additionally each website has an SEO grade based on its grading from the website http://www.websitegrader.com. Having a great looking website is only part of the battle since you need the customers to be able to find your website as well. If you notice our top website isn’t the best looking and also doesn’t have the best content but it does have the highest visibility to the search engines and is passable in the other respects.

Our top ten list of solar water heating installer websites is as follows:

#1 ECS Solar Energy Systems, Inc located in Gainesville, Florida
http://www.ecs-solar.com/
Excellent slide show of various types of solar panels installed on homes.
Aesthetics 5, Content 8, Navigation 10, SEO Grade: 91

#2 Dovetail Solar And Wind located in Cincinnati, Ohio
http://www.dovetailsolar.com/index.htm
Extensive “frequently asked questions” area with important information.
Aesthetics 7, Content 10, Navigation 10, SEO Grade: 68

#3 Solar Assist, located in Eugene, Oregon
http://www.solarassist.net/index.html
Impressive photo gallery of recent solar heating projects
Aesthetics 9, Content 7, Navigation 10, SEO Grade: 55

#4 Greenhead Solar, located in Spokane, Washington
http://www.greenheadsolar.com/index.htm
Excellent descriptions of solar panels.
Aesthetics 5, Content 8, Navigation 10, SEO Grade: 52

#5 New England Solar Hot Water, located in Duxbury, Massachusetts
http://www.neshw.com/default.aspx
Informative explanation of solar basics
Aesthetics 8, Content 8, Navigation 10, SEO Grade: 36

#6 Enviro Plumbing, located in Santa Monica, California
http://www.enviroplumbing.com/index.html
Extensive photo gallery including pictures of workers installing panels
Aesthetics 8, Content 9, Navigation 6, SEO Grade: 34

#7 Boston Solar Living, located in Medford, Massachusetts
http://www.bostonsolarliving.com/
Great information on tax credits and rebates
Aesthetics 7, Content 10, Navigation 6, SEO Grade: 29

#8 Creative Solar USA located in Canton, Georgia
http://creativesolarusa.com/index.php
Read an open letter from the company’s founder on why he went green
Aesthetics 9, Content 10 , Navigation 10 , SEO Grade: 18

#9 Aladdin Solar, located in Excelsior, Minnesota
http://www.aladdinsolar.com/home.html
One of the few websites to give estimated solar water heating prices
Aesthetics 5, Content 7, Navigation 9, SEO Grade: 24

#10 Solar Heating Services located in Berlin, Wisconsin
http://www.solarheatingservices.com/index.php
Read interesting case study of one their latest solar projects
Aesthetics 8, Content 8, Navigation 8, SEO Grade: 12

If your solar water heating installer website is on our top ten list, congratulations!

If not, contact us with a link to you website and we will review it for our future top ten lists.

#1
A particularly noteworthy solar energy blog is Solar Energy Rocks!. This blog primarily focuses on informing homeowners about rebates, grants, subsidies and tax credits available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The writers of the Solar Energy Rocks! blog believe that the reason that residential solar systems are not more prevalent is because homeowners are unaware of and misinformed about these incentive programs. Along with blog entries, visitors to the blog can click on their state to retrieve this information which is presented in an easy to understand format. In addition, Solar Energy Rocks! Has recently added two podcasts to their blog. This renewable energy blog can be found at http://www.solarpowerrocks.com/

Quality of content: 10
Applicability: 10
Aesthetics: 9
Frequency of posts: 10

#2
The Build It Solar is a relatively new renewable energy blog. The objective of this blog is to respond to questions that have been emailed to their website. The blog’s entries primarily deal with installation issues. Professional installers and do-it-yourselfers alike will benefit from the information offered by this blog. Recent posts regarding the building of a solar water heating system for $1000 and its continued performance will be of particular interest. Visit this blog at http://www.builditsolar.com/Blog/index.html

Quality of content: 10
Applicability: 9
Aesthetics: 9
Frequency of posts: 9

#3
Clean Technica is a renewable energy blog published by Green Options Media Production. This blog’s intention is to provide the general public with information on renewable energy options available and to describe actual applications of this technology. The Clean Technica blog is divided into categories, one of those categories being “solar energy”. Written for the lay person, blog entries to the Clean Technica blog are contributed by knowledgeable experts in the field. Visitors to the blog are encouraged to add their comments or questions, to which blog writers will respond. A recent blog post describes how a California company installed a solar power system in its warehouse facility. Other recent blogs include the U.S. Army’s solar energy system at a California base and the Energy Information Administration’s recent news of the significant increase in renewable energy in the U.S. Users may click on http://cleantechnica.com/category/solar-energy/ to be directed to the solar energy category of the Clean Technica blog.

Quality of content: 8
Applicability: 8
Aesthetics: 10
Frequency of posts: 10

#4
Powered By Solar Panels is the name of another solar energy blog. In addition to offering information about the benefits of renewable energy, this writer of Powered By Solar Panels is deeply concerned about the damage that the use of coal, oil and natural gas has done to the environment. Subjects of recent blog entries include a comparison between conventional and solar energy, an description of how solar energy works, how to generate solar house plans, and an explanation of why renewable energy solutions are necessary. Visit Powered By Solar Panels at http://poweredbysolarpanels.com/

Quality of content: 9
Applicability: 9
Aesthetics: 9
Frequency of posts: 8

#5
Get Your Green On is another renewable energy blog. The user will find recent posts pertaining to solar energy in the “green energy” category of this blog. The Get Your Green On blog is geared towards the residential home owner who is looking for increased energy efficiency in their home. Written in an easy to read style, subjects of recent posts include selecting a reputable renewable energy company, the installation of solar panels, the recent technological advancement of solar panels, the functionality of solar panels in cloudy winter months, how a solar energy system adds value to a home, how to build your own solar panels and more. The Get Your Green On blog is available at http://getyourgreenon.com/category/green-energy/

Quality of content: 10
Applicability: 8
Aesthetics: 6
Frequency of posts: 10

#6
The Residential Solar blog is published by The Solar Energy Source. The goal of this renewable energy is to educate the community, especially those uninformed, about how carbon emissions can be reduced for a cleaner environment by the use of solar energy solutions. User feedback is promoted with an email address for questions or comments. Recent entries this blog consist of the steps to take for a solar system installation, the top ten reasons for using solar panels and more. In addition to The Residential Solar blog, The Solar Energy Source also publishes several other renewable energy blogs. Visit The Residential Solar blog at http://thesolarenergysource.com/category/blog-installing-residential-home-house-solar-power-energy-electric/

Quality of content: 9
Applicability: 8
Aesthetics: 8
Frequency of posts: 6

Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFJc4xuFPcc

We can quickly go down the road of answering this question for our own satisfaction although I don’t recommend it in general.  According to “More evidence of Rational Market Values for Home Energy Efficiency” by the Appraisal Journal a home will increase in value $20 for every $1 reduction in annual energy bill.  An average solar water heating system will save a family of 4 approximately $400 per year on their energy bill.  That would mean that if a homeowner installs a system they she see an appreciation in the value of their home of $8,000.  Interestingly, that is also about the national average installed cost of a 64 ft^2 80 gallon tank freeze protected system.  You add to that the current tax incentives which include as a minimum 30% tax credit from the federal government and you now have a system that costs less than it adds in value to your home.  With this stunning fact it would seem that every homeowner that is about to sell there home should add a system simply by the pure economics.  I make the last statement a little tongue in cheek because I understand that some homeowners are concerned about the aesthetics of an installation (I am sure to discuss that later in a future post).

When it comes down to it, the economics of solar water heating are such that a homeowner get shift there assets from their bank to their home and in return get a huge chunk of cash from the government and start saving money immediately on their utility bills.  This should be a no-brainer economically.  Although the logic is clear I don’t recommend sharing this with those that question the value of solar water heating (or more likely solar energy in general).  People’s prejudices, party affiliations and biases are such that rare is the person that will listen to logic.  I would recommend to focus the selling of systems to people that are already convinced of the value of energy efficiency they can be seen all around us.  They are the people that drive hybrids, purchase high SEER air conditioning, bicycle to work, use compact fluorescent lamps, or install programmable thermostats.  The people that are ready are all around us so we need to stop focusing on the people that won’t be convinced no matter what the logic.

Another article that might be interesting is: http://www.pmmag.com/Articles/Column/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000620715