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Why have over 1.5 million Americans invested in solar? Surveys taken over the last ten years confirmthat the vast majority of owners (94% or more) consider that investment a wise decision. Consumerinvestment and satisfaction have spawned a small but growing solar hot water (SHW) industry here inthe U. S. that is providing even broader benefits to our nation and has the potential to contribute muchmore.
Clean and Safe Solar hot water systems in usetoday produce approximately 1000 megawatts ofenergy annually. That is the equivalent of twomedium-sized coal plants. The life-cycle costs ofSHW systems are about the same as gas and farbetter than electric water heating systems.Solar energy is pollution-free, an importantbenefit when the cost of removing pollutantsfrom the environment is considered.
Solar water heating technology, pioneered in the U. S., is the oldest and most developed of allrenewable energy systems. Modern solar water heating systems can provide a large portion (40 - 80%)of household hot water demand depending on local climate conditions and the size and type of system.Most systems pay for themselves in four to sevenyears and continue to provide hot water for manyyears thereafter. | 