RESTAURANTS BIGGEST WINNER IN THE SOLAR HOT WATER GAINS!

by Deborah Maroney

Restaurants Most Suitable Application!

For most restaurants heating water is a huge energy load and major expense. Installing a thermalsolar water heating system will save your business significant money, help protect the environment, and show your customers your company's dedication to the environment and community. Regardless of your goals, Guardian Solar systems with the help of Ondrick engineering staff can design a system to offset to meet your company's needs. A typical commercial solar water heating system can offset 90% of your hot water demands in the summer, 75% in the fall and spring, and 50% or more in the winter depending on what solar zone you are operating.

30% Federal Grants

Not only is solar water heating a great way of staving off increasing energy costs, commercial systems are eligible for a 30% federal tax grants off of the total system cost, plus it will be eligible for a 5 year accelerated MACRS. Experts agree that a solar water heater is far and away the easiest initial investment in renewable energy.

Lease Options Available!

Guardian Solar has financing and lease options available at reasonable pricing. The cost of purchasing a large capacity system is often times off set by the advantages of leasing a system from Guardian Solar. We also provide full maintenance programs and 24 hour repair and on call services with an 800 number paging alert system.

How it Works

The collectors turn the sun's energy into heat, which is transferred to the water in either you building's hot water tank, or a dedicated solar hot water tank, via piping loops from the collectors. This loop is filled with bio-degradable antifreeze solution, which stays inside the collectors and piping at all times. Whenever the sun shines on the collectors, the circulating pump comes on, and the solar fluid circulates within the closed loop. The fluid gets hot inside the collectors and travels through the piping to a heat exchanger inside the solar heated water which transfers the heat from the antifreeze water inside the storage tank, which stores the heated water for you use. When the sun is not shining, the circulating pump simply turns off, and the fluid stops circulating. These systems can produce and store large capacities of hot water from 120 gallons to 1200 gallons depending on your facilities needs? They also do not need perfect weather conditions in order to perform well.

Works on cloudy days and even when it is freezing outside

Because solar hot water collectors use the full spectrum of the sun, they efficiently absorb even the diffused solar radiation present on cloudy days. They do not need direct sunlight to operate and are not nearly as impacted by shading issues like solar electric modules are.

Types of Solar Hot Water Collectors

There are two popular kinds of solar water collectors, the traditional flat plate and the recently more common evacuated tube systems. Each technology has its strengths and weaknesses; this is why Guardian Solar Systems is one of the few solar contractors that utilize both technologies. Because we are not biased you will receive an honest appraisal of your site. Our engineering staff will design your system with the most cost effective solution, and then our installation team (with a network of installation crews capable of meeting even the most aggressive schedules) will install it on your restaurants building anywhere in the country.

Flat-Plate Collectors

Flat-plate collectors are by far the most popular kind of collector and work well in all climates. They have been around the longest and are efficient and competitively priced. They are very aesthetically pleasing and look just like a skylight. They also operate precisely within the temperature range needed to heat domestic water, but are not well suited for many commercial high temperature water applications.

How Flat-Plate Collectors work

The collector is a shallow rectangular box with a glazed top and insulated back and sides. An absorber plate inside gathers solar heat and transfers it to a network of copper tubing, through which the solar fluid flows. Like evacuated tubes, they do work well on cloudy days, but will have more heat losses during cold conditions.

Evacuated Tube Collectors (recommended for flat roofs)

Evacuated tube systems are a proven technology and have been widely available in Europe and Asia over the last decade and are finally making their way into the US market. Up until the last couple of years they have been significantly more expensive than flat-plate collectors; however, with prices coming down and copper prices going up they are now cost competitive with flat-plates. Evacuated tube collectors are appropriate for both high temperature applications over 140 degrees F and easily perform in residential low temperature applications. Since they are more efficient than flat-plate collectors they require less surface area. For commercial high temperature water applications evacuated tube systems are the better choice. (see Article below "Tube vs. Panel")

How Evacuated Tubes work

Each tube and fin of the collector is contained within a glass tube from which all the air has been evacuated. The purpose of the evacuated tube is to provide a perfect insulator from heat losses to the outside temperatures and prevents any air from carrying heat from the hot surface of the tube to the cooler surface of the glass. The temperature inside the tube can reach temperatures of 350 degrees while the outside of the tube is cool to the touch and thy are barely affected by outside temperature and weather conditions.

To minimize radiant heat loss, the tube is covered with a selective surface. The special coating absorbs more than 92% of the arriving radiation, but radiates less than 8% back to the environment. Heat transfer from the absorber to the fluid circuit is performed by the "heat pipe". A heat pipe is a closed system, carefully evacuated and charged with a small amount of water before it is sealed. The absorber imports heat to this water, causing it to evaporate. The steam rises to the upper end of the heat pipe where it transfers heat to the fluid circuit via a metallic conduction bridge.

The Guardian Solar Professional Difference

A Guardian Solar SW is a leader in the restaurant design and construction industry. Ondrick Engineering Building and Design Group has monitored the development and construction of hundreds of brand name restaurant facilities in the United States since 1998.

Contact

Tom Maroney for more information at 1-617-240-1109 or by email: norwell69@msn.com.

Websites: http://www.guardiansolarsw.com and http://www.greenvillagebusiness.com

RESTAURANT SOLAR HOT WATER SYSTEMS

ANSWER THE CALL!
If you are a CEO, Vice President of Construction, Director of Development or Director of Operations and answer yes to the following questions than it is time for your company to get a prototype solar hot water system engineered for your restaurant...




THE QUESTION AT HAND...

• Would you like your facilities to reduce their utility bills 25% to 40%?


• Do you want to increase your facilities profits across the board no matter what part of the country they operate?


• Do you think that having your company "Go Green" will improve your company's image with your customer base?


• Do you agree that a better company image will help promote greater sales?


• Does it make financial sense to install equipment that saves your company money and is reimbursed up to 30% by the Federal Government in the form of a grant that is payable by law in 60 days?


• Does it make sense to you that your company should install at least one engineered solar hot water system to measure the benefits, improved relations and cost effectiveness?

If you answered "yes" to all of those questions than read on:

WHY HAVE I NOT HEARD OF THIS BEFORE? Simply a basic lack of understanding as to whats involved, how much it cost, how does it work and will the technology be effective enough to make financial sense for your company to embrace it? (Return on Investment RIO) Finally how do I go about getting started to present this opportunity to my company?

AUTHOR'S COMMENT: Having spent the past 26 years directly involved in the retail arena from a development, construction and prototypical analysis and design engineering genre... I must admit that it intrigues me that there is always a better way to do things in our industry!

WHATS INVOLVED?

THE CONSTANTS: Solar commercial hot water systems are hybrid by design because they must be engineered to meet your facilities specific demands. Ours is a world of constants and variables. For this design evaluation the constant is your big energy costs and how your company's fixtures generate them? A major part of your company operation costs is spent on energy as you reduce those costs your company increases its profits. Solar radiation heat is constantly free the Power Company electric or gas bills are constantly increasing its prices.

THE VARIABLES: The variables are your company's ability to reduce costs, lower overhead and increase profits! Solar hot water systems can do all of those things and more.

GENERAL EXPENDITURES

• DESIGN COSTS: A solar design engineering team armed with the latest software programs is your first and usually one time cost.


• ENGINEERING COSTS AND DISCIPLINES INVOLVED: Structural engineering will evaluate your plans and building for placement and integrity of design to accommodate the new hardware components, Plumbing engineering will assist in the solar design, sizing and component application, electrical will utilize your existing power source and integrate it into the final solar design plans and construction engineering will address installation directions, methods, materials and system cost.


• SURVEY TEAM COST: The survey team will determine the system's size requirements, components, existing conditions, projected performance materials, savings to be generated and draft a set of plans with specifications for your facility. The designs components will be cost-out including shipping and handling.


• PACKAGING COST: Our three office locations will contribute and combine resources to formulate your hybrid design package for presentation and potential sale.


• THE 30% FEDERAL TAX GRANT: The engineering team will generate the documentation required to submit for the federal tax grant for your company to file.

A-TYPICAL SYSTEM COST: Typically basic commercial solar hot water system such as the one pictured here...will cost approximately 20 to 45 thousand dollars installed as a number of variables apply such as direct or indirect, size and amount of holding tank(s), electric or gas boiler fired alternate integration resources and specialized needs not yet recognized. Green Village can design you a system that will meet your needs no matter how large or small... any where in the country. The system is designed to be effective in your sun-zone and weather climate. From the freezing North-East to the Arid South-West our systems will not freeze or over-heat...

WHERE WOULD THIS SYSTEM BE INSTALLED? The basic components are installed as follows: The rack mounted evacuated tube collector(s) is usually installed on structural roof curbs. The SS solar hot water tank(s) is located in your utility room area in place of your existing unit(s). The electronic controller can be installed anywhere in your facility or in the utility room (recommended). It has been my experience that most restaurant chain designs mansards hide the roof mounted collectors from plan view.

HOW DOES THE SYSTEM WORK? In simple terms the solar commercial hot water system resources the Sun's radiation energy and converts it into heat in a "Green House Effect" that exchanges it and directs it to your restaurant's dishwasher, steam generator, hand sinks, restrooms, beverage stations and preparation sinks thought your facility.

NEED MORE INFORMATION: for more detailed information go to: http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/S/AE%20solar%20hot%20water%20system.html

HOW DOES THE FED GRANT APPLY TO MY COMPANY?: For corporate restaurant solar hot water system projects started in 2010, solar projects that are eligible for depreciation or amortization (typically those owned by corporate tax filers) can receive a 30% Federal cash grant in lue of the 30% tax credit. The Treasury Department will administer the solar grant program and is required by law to pay out each solar grant within 60 days time of the receipt of each acceptable application. The commercial solar hot water system solar grant is not subject to federal taxes. Almost all corporate commercial solar application are eligible go to for more information: http://www.dsireusa.org/

WHO IS THE GREEN VILLAGE SOLAR ENGINEERING GROUP? The Green Village Solar Engineering Group is a Division of Guardian Solar of South-West Florida LLC, Ondrick Engineering, Inc. of Quincy Massachusetts and EDS Professional Service, Inc. of Slaterville, Rhode Island. These three companies have been working together under the direction Thomas Maroney PCE since 1998 in the Construction Engineering Industry for commercial, retail and the food service industry, successfully for a number of large nationally recognized restaurant chains. Green Village Engineering will design, apply for permits, monitor and consult and has a net-work of installers ready to meet the most demanding of schedules. (References/Project Lists available upon request)

HOW DO I GET STARTED? Just contact us at 617-240-1109 out of state 1-800 270-7564 (Guardian Solar "Hot" Line leave a message) or email Tom Maroney at Norwell69@msn.com. You can visit one of our websites at: http://www.guardiansolarsw.com/ or http://www.greenvillagebusiness.com/. (when using the websites: go to the "CONTACT US TAB" and leave a message)

GREEN VILLAGE CRIER

ARTICLE IV

by Thomas Maroney PCE

Ondrick Engineering Group

Quincy, Massachusetts

EVACUATED SOLAR TUBE

COLLECTORS

VS.

FLAT PLATE SOLAR COLLECTORS

Solar collectors come in different sizes, types and brands. Making sense out of what is best for your particular use can sometimes be a little confusing. Hopefully, this brief overview will help you make an informed choice. And, as always, you can call us at anytime to discuss your application and use and a GUARDIAN SOLAR SW specialist will gladly assist you simple call us at 941-639-5250 or email Tom Maroney at: norwell69@msn.com he will be sure to reply.

FLAT PLATE SOLAR COLLECTORS

The first type of collector is called a Flat-Plate-Collector and these are the most commonly used collectors for solar hot water systems (direct or indirect feed) today.

The direct feed system is popular in the southern most states because they do not need to protect the units from the winter's freezing conditions. The collectors heated water is circulated directly into the home's hot water tank. The direct feed is the
most efficient heating source for a number of obvious reasons.

The indirect feed system is used mainly in the northern regions where freezing is a concern. The closed loop design uses anti-freeze and a heat exchanger in the hot water tank to prevent any damage that may occur during the coldest of temperatures.


THE UNIT DESIGN


This collectors heating concept is based on a "green house effect" and consist of a closed insulated metal box with a glass or plastic/lexan covering (this is what is referred to as the glazing) or a dark absorbing plate usually made from copper or aluminum and rigid foam insulation. (see illustration on the right) This absorber plates transfer the radiated heat from the sun to a channel of 1/2 copper tubes that distributes the heated water to temperatures around 160-180 degrees F and into the home's hot water tank. The flat plate collector are very popular because of their cost and effectiveness. Mounting can be accomplished on the homes asphalt, steel, rubber and tile roofs or on the ground on stand. They come in a variety of sizes and are used for residential and commercial hot water application with great success!

System Advantages: Readily available, wide selection of sizes and installation methods and materials. Very cost effective and gets the job done.

System Disadvantages: The panels are large and bulky and in some cases heavier than others. Some cases utilize plastic and aluminum back panels to lighten the load. AET makes two grades of cases for different applications while Solene makes a plastic back panel that is noticeably lighter and produces the same BTU's.

Future Predictions: These panels will see some newer technology, designs and materials that will increase their BTU out put. Because of the ever increasing cost of copper costs will continue to climb.

Evacuated Tube Solar Collectors


Evacuated Tube Collectors come in different types as well. Evacuated Tubes are tubes that are manufactured with a vacuum seal in-between the glass layers, preventing heat loss from convection and radiation and maximizing efficiency of energy absorption. They can achieve very high temperatures but are also more expensive to purchase than the Flat Plat Collectors. This is an example of Direct-Flow-Evacuated-Tube collector they also come in various sizes and combinations of tubes. The most commonly used Evacuated Tube collector is the heat pipe and manifold system. In this type of design, heat is transferred from either a flat or curved copper or aluminum fin attached to a heat pipe located inside the evacuated glass vacuum tubing. The water is saturated in the sun's radiation and convection hot water at upwards of 185 degrees is funneled through to the hot water tanks heat exchanger. Because the greater efficiency and higher temperatures this is a very effective way to heat your water.


THE UNIT DESIGN:

The evacuation collection tubes are made of glass and have all the air evacuated from them and are called absorbers. Inside the tubes are copper pipes filled with the domestic water. An insulated header houses heat exchangers that transfers the suns heat to your tank. Some absorbers are being designed to have multiple channels inside the 1/2 copper pipe to aid in generating more heat to the water flowing through.

The Advantages: The evacuated tube system affords more of the sun's radiation exposure by it's round design. The high temperatures that it generates 180- 210 degrees makes it suitable for more applications. The higher productivity lessens the need for more panels. It is suited for both residential and commercial applications.

The Disadvantages: The cost is higher. Some installer's claim that the evacuated tube collector is too hot for a direct feed into a standard solar hot water tank and sharply reduces the life of the tank. Some homeowners think the collectors look ugly on their roofs. The glass tubes are vulnerable because if one breaks the whole unit is down. Also the vacuum seal has a potential for leaking when exposed to years of expanding and contracting.

Future Predictions: The product's prices will fall as this system is very popular in Europe right now and will become more available to the American market. Because of the tremendous heat advantages the Tube system will find it's way into residential, commercial and pool heating systems. In fact as I write this a Hybrid Solar Pool Heat Pump unit is being tested right here in Florida. This Heat pump will be solar assisted and qualify for federal incentives.

Thats the way to go... all we need is a little "American ingenuity"! Any thoughts or comments please pass them along to our website at: http://www.guardiansolarsw.com/ that's all for now solarheads.