Whenever people think of green or clean energy they picture rows of solar panels positioned on the roof, or a group of wind power systems producing electric power from simple air flow. While these are accurate images of how alternative methods create energy, most people’s perception of clean energy systems fail to include one of the most efficient, and practicable of all systems — solar heating tubes. This solar technology is utilized to provide heated water.

The applied science behind this kind of clean energy have already matured as to have industrial and commercial applications, as well as household ones. Millions of individual households and apartment  buildings that depend on such alternative energy systems for their hot water supply are able to significantly lower their electricity expenses. In fact, China is leading the way with this particular energy, and it is estimated that as much as thirty million homes (which covers apartments or homes) are able to get heated water from their solar heating tubes, at least 60% of the time (or achieve 60% efficiency).

Why only 60-70% and not their total hot water requirement? This is the only glitch with clean energy that comes from the sun, and it happens because of the sun’s nature. Remember, the sun goes up and down everyday. This means that the solar heating tubes are only able to operate during peak hours of sunlight, which is usually from 9 to 5PM. However once the sun sets, it’s as if someone switched-off the water heater. And yet, solar heating tubes still attain around sixty percent efficiency because the large storage tanks the system uses can stay hot for several hours after the sun has set. This is the reason why most renewable energy experts estimate optimal energy savings at the sixty percent level.

How does the 60-70% level of efficiency of solar heating tubes affect the building owner or landlord? Primarily, it means that, they still have to avail electricity from their utility company or oil, gas, electric supplier, to maintain a 24 hour supply of hot water. What does it mean in economic terms? Let’s examine this topic more carefully.

Consider that you will have to buy the solar heating system and spend money for installation costs. It will involve a substantial cash outlay, and most property owners will use the equity in their building to put their purchase on a type of installment payment agreement, such as a second mortgage or business loan to cover costs. But the solar power system is going to begin running shortly after it is set-up, which means that electric expenses are going to drop significantly right from the start. This reduction in utility bills creates money savings that can be directed towards loan repayment. Now here is where this investment get really interesting, most solar power systems can be repaid in a period of 2 to 5 years;but after that the financial savings will go straight into the owner’s wallet. And from then on, the building can be supplied with hot water at an incredibly lower price.

Aside from the decrease in expenditures and shorter period to receive your return on investment for the equipment, there is also a vast range of tax rebates available from investing in clean energy technologies. These financial incentives can help the property owner to make payments on any loan made to purchase the solar equipment more rapidly.

Craig Axelrod is VP of Business Development for Emmy Energy, a NY <A href=http://www.emmyenergy.com/index.cfm”>solar power</a> company installing <A href=”http://www.emmyenergy.com/green-energy-products/solar-heating-tubes.cfm”>solar heating tube systems</a> & solar pv systems in the Northeast.