Solar Hot Water for Homeowners
The solar hot water system on this roof in Sarasota, Florida, can provide 40% to 50% of a family's hot water needs.
The following resources will help you learn more about installing a solar water heating system in your home or swimming pool. If you are unfamiliar with this technology, see the introduction to solar hot water.
Some of the following documents are available as Adobe Acrobat PDFs. Download Adobe Reader.
General Information
A Consumer's Guide: Heat Your Water with the Sun (PDF 603 KB)
U.S. Department of Energy Consumer's Guide: Solar Water Heaters
Features comprehensive basic information and resources.
U.S. Department of Energy Consumer's Guide: Solar Swimming Pool Heaters
Features comprehensive basic information and resources.
U.S. Department of Energy Million Solar Roofs Initiative
Find out how to register your installation as one of the million solar roofs.
Evaluation Tools
NREL Solar Radiation Data Manual for Flat-Plate and Concentrating Collectors
Allows you to find out the average, minimum, and maximum amount of solar energy available at your location, by month or for the entire year.
Training and Workshops
Solar Energy International: Solar Hot Water
Learn how to design and install residential-sized solar domestic hot water systems.
Financing
Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy
Provides information on state, local, utility, and selected federal incentives that promote renewable energy.
The Borrowers Guide to Financing Solar Energy Systems (PDF 501 KB)
