Quote:
Originally Posted by ah-kay
It would work. But you need to be inventive to hook up the plumbing. This is free energy. It all depends on how much effort one wants to put into this kind of project. Need to do a cost benefits analysis as the payback period can be long. This includes solar power, Prius, hybrid cars as the payback period is long, very long.
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Graplr - what I meant is that some projects are difficult to justify except the feel good factor. I think Solar Hot Water ( convection type ) has the best return and short payback period ( your friend's system ). Very little mainenance and abundant amount of hot water. I had one on my roof until the tank leaked. The water was so hot and abundant that I can 'sell' it to my neighbors. As for Solar cells to generate electricity, the capital investment is huge and the payback period is long. You may get a tax credit for solar cells. Same goes for hybrid cars as you only save, may be $40, of gas per month but the premium is $5000+. Even project like this post is not really worth it except for the inverter. After you added the head, a governer, wiring, switch panel, plumbing, bypass radiator etc it would come to a considerable amount of money plus your sweat equity.