a system that generates hot water by collecting heat from the sun. There are two basic types: active and passive.
Pros
Zero-carbon, fuel-free hot water for domestic (and less commonly, commercial and industrial) use
Cons
Doesn’t solve all of our energy needs; geographically limited
Real Talk
While solar hot water often has payback periods far shorter than solar PV, it suffers from something of a PR problem: people are simply more attracted to producing electricity than hot water. However, communities would do well to support widespread implementation of the technology which offers a carbon-free pathway to replacement of propane and natural gas-fired residential water heaters.