5.7kW Solar Electric System with solar hot water
Innovative Power Systems installed this 5.7kW solar electric system in Woodbury, Minnesota in 2009. IPS expects this system to produce about 7,000kWh of electricity on average per year. Producing 7,000kWh of electricity annually from coal emits about 14,000 pounds of carbon dioxide. Preventing this much carbon dioxide from being released to the atmosphere is equivalent to adding 700 trees to our forests. Over a 30-year span, IPS expects this system will offset 420,000 pounds or 210 tons of carbon dioxide.
(2) 4’x8’ Solar Skies solar thermal collectors are mounted on the south facing roof and heat an 80 gallon solar storage tank. The solar storage tank provides solar preheated water for a tankless hot water heater. The hot water is then used for a household’s basic hot water needs, such as laundry, dishwashing, and bathing. The system will offset about 130 therms of natural gas per year, or 75% of the total hot water usage of an average family of 4.
Innovative Power Systems prefers to use Solar Skies solar thermal collectors for several reasons. The collectors are manufactured in Alexandria, Minnesota. One of the many benefits renewable energy has is the creation of jobs. Solar Skies employs about 12 full-time employees, benefiting the local economy. Solar Skies collectors are also very reliable, with a ten-year warranty. In terms of performance, Solar Skies collectors compare favorably with more expensive flat-plate and evacuated tube collectors.