Solar energy: a utility source

Journal Article · Mon Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1975 · Gas Ind., Nat. Gas Ed.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6564550

As part of the $1,000,000 Solar Assisted Gas Energy (SAGE) research project, Southern California Gas Co., the National Science Foundation, and the Federal Energy Administration are testing a solar-energy hot-water system that has been retrofitted to a 32-unit apartment complex in El Toro, Calif. The SAGE system supplies 900 gal/day, saving an estimated 1200 CF/day of natural gas. The new system comprises 48 flat-plate rooftop collectors totaling 908 sq ft, a heat exchanger, a 1200-gal hot-water storage tank, a natural-gas-powered boiler, and a 100-gal tempering tank. The SAGE system will draw about 90% of its annual energy requirement from the sun, with the natural gas boiler automatically assuming the balance. The El Toro installation cost about $40,000, but a second system being integrated into a new apartment complex in Upland, Calif., is expected to cost only $25,000 because of a better knowledge of requirements, performance factors, and installation methods. The SoCal researchers believe that utilities are in the best position to effect solid, long-term growth in the solar-energy market. They have the experience and capital resources to prove out concepts and hardware before placing them on the market, to maintain them until an adequate installation and service organization can be developed, and to devise financing plans that will bring this energy within reach of the largest number of consumers.

• OSTI ID: 6564550
• Journal Information: Gas Ind., Nat. Gas Ed.; (United States), Journal Name: Gas Ind., Nat. Gas Ed.; (United States) Vol. 20; ISSN GINGA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140907* -- Solar Thermal Utilization-- Water Heating
APARTMENT BUILDINGS
APPLIANCES
BUILDINGS
COST
ENERGY SOURCES
ENERGY STORAGE
ENERGY SUBSTITUTION EQUIVALENT
FINANCING
FLAT PLATE COLLECTORS
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
HEAT EXCHANGERS
HEAT STORAGE
HEATERS
NATURAL GAS
PUBLIC UTILITIES
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
RETROFITTING
SENSIBLE HEAT STORAGE
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR WATER HEATERS
STORAGE
WATER HEATERS