The Environment California Research & Policy Center – along with a coalition of policy makers, environmental groups and businesses – released a report on the potential of solar water heating technologies.
It found that solar hot water could save California 1.2 billion therms of natural gas a year, the equivalent of 24% of all gas used in homes and equal to 5% of statewide gas consumption.
Solar water heating could reduce global warming pollution by 6.8 million tons of CO2 per year – 5% of the total reductions needed to meet the state’s greenhouse gas emissions cap by 2020.
In addition, consumers can cut their energy bills by up to 50% by investing in solar water heating technology. Some studies show that a 5% reduction in demand could shave 25-35% off California’s wholesale natural gas prices.
AB 1470, legislation currently moving through the state Legislature, is a companion to SB 1 signed into law last year, the Million Solar Roofs bill. As it created incentives for solar electric panels funded through a small surcharge on electricity bills, AB 1470 would work similarly for solar water heating systems through a small surcharge on natural gas bills.
Less than 1 percent of California buildings have systems installed today.
A study by KEMA-Xenergy, an energy consulting group, modeled the potential energy savings of various energy efficiency measures that could be utilized in California homes, including solar hot water. The study showed that solar hot water systems could save more natural gas than any other technology: 971 million therms per year in houses, apartments, and mobile homes across the state.
Another study by KEMA-Xenergy found that solar hot water could save more natural gas than any other efficiency technology in commercial buildings as well. California’s commercial buildings could save 219 million therms of natural gas a year by installing solar hot water systems.
The “Executive Summary” for this report can be found at:
The full text of the 21-page report “Solar Water Heating – How California Can Reduce Its Dependence on Natural Gas” can be found at:
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