Sunward, a subsidiary of Country Home Products, has launched the first “plug and play’ solar hot water system in the world. This product, which is available from the company directly or through its certified partners, can be installed by anyone with basic skills in a single weekend. But for final commissioning of the system, assistance of a professional plumber is required. The solar hot water system is capable of working in any climatic conditions and helps to cut down the energy costs of the household by up to $800 per annum.
The complete solar hot water system from Sunward is eligible for federal tax credits amounting to 30%. The benefits include for shipping and installation also. The Recovery Act of 2009 had allocated $80 billion dollars for clean energy and other green energy initiatives. The federal tax credit for the hot water systems is through this stimulus bill. Support for clean energy from 24 states in the country through incentives and tax credits are also available.
Sunward President, Joe Perrotto, commented that the company has great faith in the potential of renewable energy and it has initiated steps for its adoption at homes. Perrotto further said that with extensive support from the government though incentives and tax credits it makes financial sense to adopt renewable energy technology without worrying about unpredictable energy costs for the next 20 to 30 years.
The solar hot water system from Sunward captures the heat of the sun through ground or roof mounted solar collectors and is stored in a storage tank. The tank is connected to existing hot water supply at home. The hot water system is designed to supplement the existing hot system and does not replace it. For most part of the year, the system will provide all of the hot water required for the household. The existing systems provide hot water during short days of winter if the solar system is not able to supply the required hot water.
The solar hot water system can be installed by two persons in a single day enabling cost and time savings when compared to three to four days required by two to three professional installers for conventional solar hot water systems.