Feb 15 2011: Rodrigo is right
living in Israel, i can tell you that here it's very simple - it's simply the law.
for a house bigger then a defined size, solar water heaters are mandatory, and there is a lot of competition between the companies here.
Also i saw a very nice invention here on TV : an Israeli company developed a small wind turbine - about 1 meter in diameter - that complements the Solar heating.
since at least here, usually there is wind when there is no sun, the wind turbine provides electricity for the electrical heating body inside the water container.
that way you always have hot water, not spending even one cent on electricity or gas.
and the option remains for the rare occasions that neither are available.
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A reply on Conversation: A conversation with GE: What are the best ideas for alternative energy management at home?
living in Israel, i can tell you that here it's very simple - it's simply the law.
for a house bigger then a defined size, solar water heaters are mandatory, and there is a lot of competition between the companies here.
Also i saw a very nice invention here on TV : an Israeli company developed a small wind turbine - about 1 meter in diameter - that complements the Solar heating.
since at least here, usually there is wind when there is no sun, the wind turbine provides electricity for the electrical heating body inside the water container.
that way you always have hot water, not spending even one cent on electricity or gas.
and the option remains for the rare occasions that neither are available.