Although there is no one-size-fits-all approach to solar hot water system design and installation, many residential systems designed to provide 50-75% of domestic hot water needs are sized similarly. In the midwest, for households of 2-4 people, 64-80 square feet of collector and an 80 gallon storage tank is appropriate. For larger households, 80-120 square feet of collector and 120 gallons of storage is often the proper size. Of course, each Aladdin Solar renewable energy system is designed and installed specifically to meet the owner's needs and to be appropriate for the site. Installed system prices are typically stated using dollars per square foot of collector area. Price ranges shown here are for installed residential systems in the Midwest and are based on information provided by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA).
DON'T FORGET THERE IS A 30% FEDERAL TAX CREDIT AND OFTEN OTHER STATE* AND UTILITY REBATES AVAILABLE WHICH CAN SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCE YOUR NET COST!
Solar Domestic Hot Water (Thermal) Systems
$125-150 per square foot of collector (before reductions from tax credits, rebates, etc.) EXAMPLE: For a small to average sized household, an installed and complete 80 square foot solar thermal system (2 4'x10' collectors, 80 gallon storage, etc.) would cost $10,000 - $12,000 before the 30% Federal Tax Credit and any other MN or utility rebates. After the Federal Tax Credit is applied to the costs of this sample system, thenet cost drops to $7,000 - $8,400. Other rebates and incentives may apply which would further lower the true cost.
* Please note that swimming pools and spas are not eligible for the MN Solar Rebate at the current time.
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Our office is in Excelsior, MN. We serve Minneapolis, St. Paul, all of the Twin Cities area (including Blaine, Bloomington, Burnsville, Chanhassen, Chaska, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Edina, Lakeville, Maple Grove, Maplewood, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Wayzata, and Woodbury) and the southern half of Minnesota.
