NO HEATING NEW UNDER THE SUN

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34123, 8 April 1976, Page 14

NO HEATING NEW UNDER THE SUN

(By

JOHN HASLER

The sun which has been burning for millions of years is only just being used by man to produce energy to make life more comfortable. Almost anything that can. be done with conventional fuels such as oil, electricity or coal, can be achieved by using sunshine. The amount of solar energy which falls on the roof of the average home in one day is sufficient to supply more than 10 times the amount of power needed to sustain that home during that day. Sun power is the only source of energy which we can guarantee will be available until the end of mankind. It is a fact that without the sun, man could not exist. The possible reason for this is that the alternative sources of fuels such as oil and electricity have, in the past, been readily available and relatively cheap. Another contributing factor is

that, until recent times, there has been a strong disregard for the environment. Things are changing. With the activities of the Clean Air Society and other such similar bodies more emphasis is being placed on the protection of the environment and the reduction of pollution. Combine these factors and the staggering increases in the cost of oil and electricity charges over the past few months, solar heating is becoming a better proposition both domestically and commercially. Without a doubt solar heating does work and it does have an important role to play in the future of New Zealand and many other countries. Proof of this can be seen if one looks at the total expenditure for the development of solar energy in the United States.

Their expenditure in 1971 was sl.2m and in 1975 ssom. New Zealand cannot spend anything like that amount of money on development, but the figures prove that solar energy has a future. The reasons for installing solar heating may be summarised as follows: | • Most homes in New Zealand could save between 50 per cent and and 60 per cent of their hot water bills. • Overseas spending (estimated at s3sm) on oil to produce electricity would be reduced. • The first nuclear power station, at an estimated

cost of .$9O(Jm, might be delayed. • Summer lake levels could be held against winter power consumption. • Pollution of the environment would be reduced. Manufacturers are turning in increasing numbers to the production of solar heating panels. The quality of the product varies considerably. It will pay users to check standards. The initial cost of a solar water heating system in the home is certainly greater than that of a conventional installation but over a period of seven to 10 years, the extra costs can be recovered.

Users of solar water heating systems include the Otorohanga College in which 39 panels were installed to heat bath and shower water, Massey University. The National Dairy Institute and the New Zealand Post Office. A local manufacturer has also exported solar panels to the Himalayas, Western Samoa, the Gilbert Islands, and Norfolk Island.