Solar water heating could cut Nevada’s pollution

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Environment Nevada

LAS VEGAS — Nevada could reduce pollution and dependence on fossil fuels through the deployment of off-the-shelf, cost-effective solar hot water technology, according to a new report by Environment Nevada.

By taking advantage of this cost-effective technology to harness solar energy to produce hot water for homes and businesses, Nevada could reduce global warming pollution by the equivalent of taking 87,308 cars off the road.

“By tapping the heat of the sun we can reduce the fossil fuels we use for our heating and hot water needs while putting people to work in our communities,” said Environment Nevada state field associate Leah Yudin. “We have long had the technology and the know-how to harness the free heat of the sun to get hot water, and more than ever we have a workforce that is ready to install these affordable solar panels on roofs across the state.”

Solar water heating has the potential to reduce America’s dependence on fossil fuels and curb pollution that causes global warming and respiratory problems, according to Environment Nevada. Solar water heating delivers a variety of benefits to the economy as well:

  • Solar water heating could reduce energy bills by $9.9 billion annually, saving residential customers 3.2 percent and businesses 1.6 percent of their current energy expenditures. 
  • Solar water heating increases America’s energy security, reduces the environmental and public health costs of fossil fuel-related pollution, and creates jobs. Europe’s solar thermal industry, for example, employs 40,000 people and brings in $4.1 billion in annual sales.

The report, “Smart, Clean and Ready to Go: How Solar Hot Water Can Reduce Pollution and Dependence on Fossil Fuels,” is based primarily on a study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and provides a conservative estimate of America’s potential to use residential and commercial solar water heating, and the savings in fossil fuel, electricity and global warming pollution if that potential is fully realized.

The results of the report would come from only the smallest investments in solar hot water heating, but Environment Nevada called on state and federal officials to commit to aggressive steps to encourage the installation of solar water heaters on homes and businesses and to promote other solar water heating technologies that can make an even bigger dent in pollution and consumption of fossil fuels. Solar hot water is particularly cost-effective for large institutions that use a lot of hot water, such as hotels and large laundry operations.