[SustainableTompkins] would solar thermal work for Ithaca?

[Greg Thomas]

Solar thermal works here, but mostly for domestic hot water.

Solar thermal also works here as part of a well integrated building system,
typically called a "passive solar building".  By reducing the winter heat
loss, optimizing window placement and being smart with mass placement, solar
heating coming through your windows can considerably reduce your already
reduced heating load, without causing overheating.

It is expensive and typically not cost effective to do more with solar
thermal than these items in homes.  It can be done, but your money will
usually be more effective when spent on efficiency or PV, in that order.

Greg Thomas





-----Original Message-----
From: sustainabletompkins-bounces at lists.mutualaid.org
[mailto:sustainabletompkins-bounces at lists.mutualaid.org] On Behalf Of
Patricia Haines
Sent: Wednesday, August 02, 2006 10:11 AM
To: Sustainable Tompkins County listserv
Subject: [SustainableTompkins] would solar thermal work for Ithaca?

Stories like that below from miles-ahead-of-us Canada are why being part of
this listserv is s
valuable - might such an experiment - solar thermal - work here in Ithaca?

----- Original Message -----
From: GayNicholson at aol.com
To: sustainabletompkins at lists.mutualaid.org
Sent: Tue, 1 Aug 2006 23:59:50 EDT
Subject: [SustainableTompkins] interesting Canadian solar community under
development

> _http://dlsc.ca/index.htm_ (http://dlsc.ca/index.htm) 
>  
>  
> The Drake Landing Solar Community (DLSC) is located in Okotoks, Alberta,
15 
> minutes south of Calgary. The unique feature of DLSC is that  90 percent
of 
> space heating needs for the communityb