These solar panels heat water for an administration building at Fort Huachuca Army Base in Sierra Vista, Arizona. Solar water heating systems use the sun to heat either water or a heat-transfer fluid, such as an antifreeze mixture, in collectors generally mounted on a roof. The heated water is then stored in a tank similar to a conventional gas or electric water tank.
Some systems use an electric pump to circulate the fluid through the collectors.
These environmentally friendly systems are cost competitive for providing domestic hot water and heating swimming pools. The following documents provide more information on solar water heating. Learn about PDFs . To learn more about solar heating technologies, visit the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Buildings Web site . To learn more about NREL's work in these technologies, visit the NREL Buildings and Thermal Systems Web site .