Can a single solar panel source be used for 6 townhouse units?

Question

I am a very small time real estate developer working on a six unit project. I would like to consider adding a solar unit to the project. There are several reasons - environmental, marketing, and a bad market which forces us to differentiate our project from other similiar ones and I feel that being 'green' plus 'no electricity bills for life' appeals to both the conscious and the cheap.

If we have to put a unit and converter for each townhouse it will not make economic sense - i.e. I will have to pay more for the panels and converters than I can hope to get close to recovering.

If we could use a single set of panels and a single converter to power all of the units I believe it can make economic sense.

My question is can we do it? The project is on the Central Coast of California so we have the sunshine.

Thank you for your help with this one,

Steve

Answer 1

one solar power probably couldnt supply one townhouse unit let alone six. solar energy doesnt pay for itself in energy savings for a long, long time, so if youre trying to make a profit, and still want to be green try solar hot water heaters. also energy efficient light bulbs, taps, toilets, showerheads etc., are relatively cheap and very good for energy savings.

Answer 2

Yes if it was big enough.  Check with your local solar companies in your area.

Your problem is design.  The hot water tank must be central to all six units.  The total tank capacity is another factor.  Normally you need 20 gals of reserved hot water per person using the system.

If you design the system with the building you can use the thermosiphon system where you need no pumps or electricity to make all the hot water.  The problem is the tank must be above your solar panels.  The tank is heavy so it must have a good solid foundation.

I have a two tank system with a total storage capacity of 200 gallons working in series and is designed for 10 people.  It has approximately 100 square feet of solar panels.  

You are wise to invest in such a project to help our environment and natural resources.  Good luck.

Answer 3

i have a brilliant idea.  i work for appalachian energy and we use a solar adsorption chiller.  this is a chiller that uses solar thermal panels to feed the chiller hot water, and it spits out chilled water at the energy usuage of a light bulb!  you can use the solar thermal panels for domestic hot water all year and put a heat coil in the duct to preheat your hot air in your air handlers.

we are planning a similiar install, but a much larger community.  you need to build a small building to house the chiller, and all community rooftops get solar thermal panels.  imagine solar cooling with hot water????  go to appalachianenergy.com and mention cj.  i'm by all means not spamming you and all the info i mention here is true.  this is the business i am in.