Solar batch water heaters are the simplest method of using solat thermal energy to heat water for a home or other application. The way that solar batch heating works is to have an external tank (mostly black spray-painted metal) etc that can be pressurized inside a framed housing that has solar thermal panels on it.
In this method water is heated inside the tank from the sun during daylight hours. Cold water is piped from the house into the batch heater and the warm water inside of the tank rises to the top. Much like water in a swimming pool can be warm on the surface and cold at the bottom.
The warm water is taken from the top of the batch heater and piped into the homes backup water heater, where the water is required to be heated alot less (if at all) to get the water to the desired temperature for heating.
The idea behind this is that the burner or electric coils in your homes existing water heater is used less as water is needed. On a sunny day the thermal panels can cause the hot water to be warm enough that you don't have to run your backup water heater at all.
This can add significant savings to your electricity bill as well since over 30% of your homes electrical bill comes directly from your hot water heater. (unless you heat with gas, then you have a gas bill)
There is more information as well about batch water heating and projects on the Energy Projects Website. http://www.energyprojects.info
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This is a very reasonable system to purchase and install in non freezing climates. It can save you a lot of money.
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