Solar Assistance: Solar Heat for Low-

income Families

“Dedicated to making Solar Power accessible to people of all income

levels.”

Programs

4) Research, development and manufacturing

3) Youth Training

2) Solar Contracting

1) Solar Assistance

Solar Assistance

Fuel Poverty

A lack of financial resources that requires families or individuals to

choose between heat and other basic necessities.

Energy Assistance in Minnesota:

• $75 million each year!

Does Energy Assistance offer a long-term solution?

•125,000 Families Served

• 250,000 families apply

• Average allotment: $536

Fuel Poverty

Heating Costs

Energy Assistance Funding

# of Families in Need

CRISIS!

SOLUTION!

Types of Solar Heat

Active Passive

Air Thermosiphon Hot Water

Solar Forced

Air

Water

Passive Home Design

Thermosiphon Air Heater Closed Loop

AntifreezeDrainback

Typical Solar AssistanceSystem Performance

• 3 Collectors (96 Square Feet)• 9 Million Btus per heating season• $4500 installed cost

Solar Assistance Program Eligibility

• Energy Assistance Recipient• Good Solar Site• Weatherized Home• Home Ownership• Sweat Equity

“Efficiency Before Renewables!”

Conventional EfficientIntegrated

efficiency &renewable Conventional energy use

Renewable energy use

Quantity of Energy

?

Solar Rating & Certification Corporation

• An independent nonprofit organization that tests performance and certifies almost every solar water heater on the market today

• Reports efficiency line and annual performance for different climates and temperature uses

Contact informationSolar Rating and Certification Corporationc/o FSEC, 1679 Clearlake RoadCocoa, FL 32922-5703(321) 638-1537E-mail: srcc@fsec.ucf.edu

Costs and Benefits of Solar Assistance

Heating bill reduction method

Initial cost Years until savings exceed cost

Years savings will last

Weatherization* $3,000 8-12 15

New HE furnace** $6,000 20 20

Fuel Assistance $467 NEVER 1

Solar Air Heat $4,500 13-17 50+

Payback Comparisons*Using 20-30% energy reduction rate on a $1,000 initial annual heat bill.** Assuming a 95% efficient furnace replacing a 70% furnace on a $1,000 initial annual heat bill.

Fuel Source Payback Years Simple Payback Years

Return on investment

Propane 13 11 9.1%Fuel oil 15 12 7.9%Natural Gas 21 15 6.6%Electricity 26 15 6.0% LIHEAP Weighted Average

20 15 7.1%

State and Federal Initiatives for Renewable Heat for Low-income

Heating Assistance

MN House File 2137 – Petroleum Inspection Fee to

be used for Weatherization

funding for Solar Heat for Low-

income Families

Federal Weatherization Assistance Program Rule

Change encouraging solar heat for low-

income weatherization (Federal Register v.71

n.120. 6/22/06)

Benefits of Solar Assistance

• Long-term Solution Fostering Self-reliance• Ending program dependency• Clean technology • Compliant with RES• Promotes National Security• Hedge against energy insecurity• Social Justice and Environmental Issues

Addressed with the Same Dollars!

The RREAL Solar

Powered Furnace

Nothing New...

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Governing Design Principles

• High Efficiency and Performance• Indoor Air Quality• Durability• Aesthetics• Compatibility with HVAC• Suitable for Small Residential or

Large Commercial Install

Solar Forced Air

Commercial Installation

SPF Calculated Efficiency

RREAL SAH Estimator

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3. Predicted output for climate:tmy2ifallsM

NOffset elec. Offset fuel

16% 415 0.0mmBtu 41.5 mmBtu

Heating Therms 0 kWh 455 gallons propaneload Yearlyoffset  

“Dedicated to making solar energy accessible to people of

all income levels.”