I’m really interested in electricity, why should I consider solar-thermal?
Solar-thermal systems produce more solar energy per square foot and cost less than solar-electric systems. They also meet the largest need for energy in buildings, and that is the need for heat. Solar-thermal systems collect about 20-40% of the solar energy and convert it into useful heat. Solar-electric systems collect about 10% of the available sunlight and convert it into useful electricity. Solar-thermal systems produce heat for as low as $4-6 per million BTU, or about 1.5-2¢ per kilowatt hour of thermal energy delivered. Most electricity customers spend about 7-15¢ per kilowatt hour. Most solar-electric systems produce solar electricity for about 15¢ per kilowatt hour. Since the largest need for energy in most buildings is for heat, buildings typically use much of their electricity for heating. If your electric bills are high, it may be because you are using electric heat for space heat, water heat, drying, etc. If solar-electric systems are a ‘must have’, American Solar can provi
