A solar steam boiler is a hot water system that uses a parabolic solar dish to collect and focus ordinary sunlight to heat water. A single large solar steam boiler can heat up to 1000 gallons of water per day. A solar steam boiler system usually also includes an automated computer tracker to follow the sun through the sky so as to maximize the amount of solar energy that can be collected.
A – Collector dish/steam generator
B - sun tracking unit
C - electric generator/storage unit
A solar steam boiler can be used to heat the water in an ordinary hot water tank by replacing the standard heating element with a solar heat exchanger connected to a 44 inch solar collector. The heat exchanger and dish kit combined cost right around $1,500 USD. Since keeping water hot is usually the greatest electricity drain on an average household, recouping the investment in a steam boiler unit is not difficult, and in fact, the price is roughly equivalent to that of a typical tankless system.
A solar steam boiler can also be used to heat pools and spas, and the solar heated water can be stored and then circulated throughout at home by means of fan radiators or in-floor tubing for gentle and efficient year-round home heating. A 14 foot solar collector can keep a solar steam boiler generating 1000 gallons of solar heated water per day.
A 14 foot solar steam boiler kit designed to heat a home and provide all the hot water for that home costs just under $11,000 USD. While that cost may seem prohibitive for existing construction, for new construction it is actually quite competitive, and the savings on utility bills over time make it an excellent choice. An 8 foot solar steam boiler kit designed to heat up to 500 gallons of water per day can be purchased for just over $3,000 USD. All of the kits, parts, and specifications for solar steam boilers and heat exchangers can be found at Cost is not the only factor to consider when looking at a parabolic solar steam boiler system. Environmental issues are crucial, and in fact, some installations may qualify U.S. buyers for an environmental tax rebate. Self-sufficiency and the ability to keep a house warm and functional off the grid are important considerations, especially with today’s energy costs and concerns.
People interested in building where public utility services are unavailable or very expensive, and people with existing homes who live in areas where the utility infrastructure is aging and unreliable will appreciate the independence and security that a solar steam boiler system provides.
Last but not least, solar steam boilers provide gentle home heating that is very desirable in today’s market, especially for people who have allergies that are aggravated by forced air systems. A 44 inch dish that heats water for a standard hot water tank is something almost anyone can afford and the change is easy and quick.
Best of all, a solar steam boiler connects a household to a steady supply of renewable energy that is absolutely free: sunlight. Going solar brings peace of mind along with all the hot water a home could possibly need, and that’s something that is truly priceless.
