Dawn Solar Power: FAQ's

  • What does Dawn Solar Systems Inc. do??

    Dawn Solar Systems Inc. specializes in solar energy systems that integrate seamlessly with a building''s architecture. Dawn Solar offers both residential and commercial systems that provide electricity (called photovoltaic systems) and/or hot water (called thermal systems). The company provides a single source to its clients for project design, development and construction, both nationally and in the European Union.

    Back to Top
  • What is the Dawn Solar Thermal System??

    The Dawn Solar Thermal System is a solar hot water system designed specifically for architecturally sensitive installations. It installs underneath the roofing material so it is completely concealed from view. The Dawn Solar Thermal System generates energy for domestic hot water, radiant space heating, pool heating or process water heating.

    Back to Top
  • What is the Dawn Solar PV-Thermal System??

    The Dawn Solar PV-Thermal System is an architecturally pleasing solar energy system that generates both electricity and hot water from the same roof or wall surface. Hot water is produced by the Dawn Solar Thermal System, which installs underneath the roofing material and is completely concealed from view. Electricity is produced by either photovoltaic roofing tiles or photovoltaic thin film laminates installed directly above the Dawn Solar Thermal System.

    Back to Top
  • Do the systems impact the design of the building??

    The Dawn Solar Thermal System is concealed within the roof or wall structure. A 1” (one-inch) layer is installed between the building sheathing and roofing and siding materials, creating an “invisible solar thermal collector”. PV-Thermal systems utilize an integrated but visible and exposed surface that converts sunlight into electricity. Homes, commercial and institutional buildings incorporating Dawn Solar systems maintain their curb appeal.

    Back to Top
  • What is the recommended size??

    In colder climates, a 500 square foot collector area is appropriate for domestic hot water heating in a single family home. In warmer climates, a 300 square foot collector can often do the job. For space heating, a minimum of 800 square feet of roof area is recommended.

    Back to Top
  • What is the proper orientation of a solar energy system??

    Ideally, the solar collectors should face as close to south as possible. However, east and west orientations can still provide significant solar energy. A system facing east or west is approximately 20% less effective than one facing south. The ideal slope for a solar energy system is roughly equal to the geographic latitude. The slope is generally not as critical as the orientation. A 10 degree change in slope will typically affect performance by 2-3%.

    Back to Top
  • How does the cost of the system compare with other collection systems??

    Building integrated solar thermal and PV systems furnished and installed by Dawn Solar are priced very competitively with other systems when compared on a lifecycle cost of energy basis.

    Back to Top
  • How does the thermal system work??

    The Dawn Solar thermal collection system is an “Active system”; it harvests the sun’s energy by absorbing the heat into water or non toxic antifreeze protected water that is pumped through a heat exchanger and solar storage tank system. Closed loop systems are recommended in the north (with glycol protection); open loop systems may be used in the south.

    Back to Top
  • What types of building materials can be used with the system??

    Dawn Solar thermal collection systems can be integrated into residential, commercial, industrial and historic projects using many types of roofing and siding materials such as those listed below:
    • Metal: shingles, shakes, tiles and slates with smooth or stone finishes
    • Standing Seam Metal Roofing made of copper, steel, aluminum, zinc, etc.
    • Cement, ceramic and composites roofs tiles and slates with flat, scalloped or mission profiles
    • Curtain wall and siding materials made of copper, steel, aluminum, etc.
    Dawn Solar PV Thermal System Applications (solar electricity and solar thermal energy harvested from the same surface) can be integrated with many types of PV products such as those listed below:
    • Thin film PV Laminates
    • PV Tiles
    • PV Slates
    • PV Shingles
    • PV Modules
    • Building integrated wind turbines


    Back to Top
  • What are the maintenance requirements of the system??

    The solar thermal collection system is very low maintenance and contains no moving parts under the roof or wall covering. The glycol fluid in the collector must be checked every few years by a technician – any trained HVAC technician should be able to perform this test. The components of the system are tried and true and since they are protected from the weather and harmful UV exposure, Dawn Solar thermal systems are expected to last for several generations.

    Back to Top
  • Has the system been certified??

    Both the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) and the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC) have certified Dawn Solar Systems.

    Back to Top
  • Can the system be used for pool heating??

    Yes.

    Back to Top
  • How much hot water can be produced??

    Large scale installations on schools, commercial sites or manufacturing buildings can produce thousands of gallons of hot water each day. Residential installations provide substantial amounts of hot water when engineered to maximize the systems performance with respect to the solar and weather conditions found in each area.

    Back to Top
  • How does the system integrate with my domestic hot water system??

    The water from the main water supply is preheated as it passes through the Dawn Solar storage tank on its way to your primary water heater. Each BTU of solar energy used offsets a BTU that would otherwise be generated by fossil fuels or electricity. Typical solar domestic hot water systems utilize a circulating pump, solar storage tank, miscellaneous fittings and a solar differential control, specified in conformance with SRCC OG 300 requirements.

    Back to Top
  • How can the thermal system be used for cooling??

    The Dawn Solar collection system cools the roof at the same time that it heats water, thereby reducing the cooling needs of the building. PV-Thermal installations benefit from the cooling that is provided to the integrated PV arrays. By operating the system at night and using the night sky to cool fluids, the system can provide radiant cooling and process cooling in certain applications.

    Back to Top
  • Can the system be used with conventional baseboard heating? ?

    No, the system generates low temperature heated water that works well with radiant floor heating systems, warm air heating, Solar Domestic Hot Water (SDHW) heating systems, pool heating and other types of low temperature heat distribution systems.

    Back to Top
  • How many installations have there been??

    The company has projects complete or in development in over 30 states, Canada, the Caribbean and the European Union.

    Back to Top
  • What is the system warranty??

    The Dawn Solar Thermal Collection system carries a 25 year warranty. The useful life of the system is predicted to be 50 years or more.

    Back to Top
  • How available is the product??

    Products are available generally 4-6 weeks from the date of order.

    Back to Top
  • How is the system designed for custom projects??

    Since every project is “custom” Dawn Solar Engineering Staff work closely with project teams typically comprised of owners, builders and designers to achieve a conceptual system design that meets both the architectural and functional requirements established by the team. Upon approval by the team, the Dawn Solar Engineering Staff will undertake the development of a detailed design in conformance with product specifications and best practices.

    Back to Top
  • Where can I find an installer??

    The company has developed and maintains a national and international network (EU only) of factory trained, Dawn Solar Certified Solar Technicians who are available to complete installations anywhere. Use the contact link on this web site to obtain more information.

    Back to Top
  • Are there any tax incentives available for the system??

    Residential and commercial installations of certain Dawn Solar products are eligible for tax rebates and incentives provided under the Federal Energy Bill. Residential and commercial installations may be eligible for additional rebates or incentives, depending upon state and local provisions that vary widely from state to state. See DSIRE for federal, state and local incentive specifics. The US Dept of Agriculture periodically offers grants for the installation of renewable energy systems on farms and rural businesses.

    Back to Top
  • How much electricity can the systems produce??

    Electricity output varies based on the type and amount of the PV cells installed; ranging from ~5 -~10 watts per square foot.

    Back to Top
  • How do “Cool Roofing” materials and reflective coatings impact performance??

    Dawn Solar products have been designed, tested and certified with roofing materials coated with Cool Roof Finishes that are quickly becoming an industry standard. The Dawn Solar System is highly scaleable and our sizing tables incorporate the effects of the cool roofing materials. The Dawn Solar thermal products work synergistically with both the roofing industries “Cool Roof” finishes and PV systems by converting the roof assembly from a “passively” cooled system to an “actively” cooled system. Solar energy in the form of heat that is detrimental to the building’s performance and PV performance is harvested by the Dawn Solar Thermal system and transferred off the roof portion of the building envelope into the building’s domestic hot water system.

    Back to Top
  • How about hurricane resistance??

    Dawn Solar Thermal products are protected from the elements and virtually impervious to hurricane force winds provided that the roof itself has been installed properly. The resulting high performance building envelope characterizes building systems of the future; cradle to cradle use of materials and interoperability of systems in which what is waste and excess for one system is converted and used as a “fuel” and a resource for another system.

    Back to Top