Son Energy is proud to participate in the state rebate program for solar hot water. Under the San Diego Pilot Program run by the California Center for Sustainable Energy, Son Energy was the #1 installer of solar hot water systems, installing systems for many San Diego area residents like you. You too can save money both now and in the future with a solar water heating system. The state rebate and a 30% federal tax credit will cut the cost of your system by up to 50%. Once installed, your system will continue to save you $$$ on your monthly gas and electric bills.
How does it work?
The solar domestic hot water system is designed to efficiently take full advantage of the sun's radiant energy to heat your hot water. The system is comprised of solar collectors and an automatic control unit that work together to create a reliable and carefree hot water heating system. Each system is individually customized to meet your unique needs.
There are two types of domestic solar hot water system: open loop active hot water heater, and closed loop hot water heaters.
Open loop active hot water heater
Open loop active hot water heater is a direct pumped system that has one or more solar energy collectors installed on the roof and a storage tank below in a garage or utility room. A pump circulates the water from the tank to the collector and back again. A differential controller senses the temperature differences between water leaving the solar collector and the coldest water in the storage tank. When the water in the solar collector is warmer than the water in the tank, the controller turns the pump on. When the water temperature differential drops to about 3 - 5°, the pump is turned off. Easy to operate, simply set the temperature desired, and the system does the rest. Active open-loop systems are not eligible for rebates under the state-wide rebate program.
Closed loop hot water heater
Closed loop hot water heaters come in several variations. The first is slightly different than the open loop active system above. Used commonly in colder climates where freezing weather occurs, this FDA approved heat exchange solution works well in places where there are greater temperature differences. The closed loop hot water heater has the storage tank built in and directly connected to the solar collector panels, so that the solar energy collected is transferred directly to heat the water in the tank, and the tank itself uses no natural gas. A fully automated thermostat turns the booster switch on or off as needed to maintain the pre-set temperature. It doesn't mean you're paying for supplementary electric or gas energy, just because your switch is on. Easy to operate, simply set the temperature desired, and the system does the rest.
Thermosyphon system
The second type of closed loop is called a Thermosyphon system. This closed loop hot water heater has the storage tank built in and directly connected to the solar collector panels, so that the solar energy collected is transferred directly to heat the water in the tank, and the tank itself uses no natural gas. A fully automated thermostat turns the booster switch on or off as needed to maintain the pre-set temperature. It doesn't mean you're paying for supplementary electric or gas energy, just because your switch is on. Easy to operate, simply set the temperature desired, and the system does the rest.
Our service area covers Alpine, Bonsall, Borrego Springs, Canyon Lake, Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Coronado, Del Mar, El Cajon, El Centro, Encinitas, Escondido, Fairbanks, Fallbrook, Hemet, Imperial Beach, Jamul, La Costa, La Jolla, La Mesa, Lake Elsimore, Lakeside, Leucadia, Murrietta, National City, Oceanside, Perris, Pine Valley, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Penasquitos, Rancho Santa Fe, San Diego, San Marcos, Santee, Solana Beach, Temecula, Vista and all areas in San Diego County, Imperial County, and South Riverside County, California, USA.
