[quote]
If you live in a climate with no hard freezes, the technology is simple and relatively inexpensive. If freezes are frequent or of long duration, system design must include glycol loops, circulator pumps, and heat exchangers, which adds to the complexity and drives up the cost, but even cold climate systems have a favorable payback time compared with electricity..
I have solar hot water and I live in an area with hard freezes(Maine). The system has been installed since the early 90s and has been running ever since with zero maintenance. 2 -3 by 8 panels, a soft tank, differential controller, bronze pump, heat exchanger and some piping. Its a drain back system and works great. Its pretty much useless in late november, december and january as the sun is pretty low in the sky
but come febuary I can get water as high as 160 degrees f.
