Solar Thermal is Dead

Interesting take on solar thermal vs. PV for water heating - Is Solar Thermal Dead?

Johnathan TE: I see what Martin is saying exactly, and I am still in your boat on this. I just don't want to drag the conversation on this point on too long, and maybe I have more physics to brush up on. I have been reading about HP's and things are starting to make sense now. Heat pumps do not create energy, they just move it. Therefore, whatever heat they move from conditioned air to the water needs to be replaced, and that will require your other heat source (boiler, for ex). I do not think that fact, as I understand it to be, is arguable. Where these HPWH shine is in their efficiency compared to a standard electric water heater. From http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/water_heating/index.cfm/mytopic=12... "Heat pump water heaters use electricity to move heat from one place to another instead of generating heat directly. Therefore, they can be two to three times more...

Full article: http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/musings/so...