We get asked quite often whether we install Solar Water Heating Systems. We have decided to no longer install traditional Thermal systems due to their complexity and expense. The new way of adding solar water heating to your home is to use an electric water heater and offset the energy to heat the water with a solar electric(Photovoltaic)system. The beauty of this is that when the tank is hot, the solar electric energy still keeps offsetting the electric use of the home, sometimes spinning your electric meter in reverse, effectively "selling" power back to your electric utility. The cost of solar panels had dropped dramatically, the Federal Income Tax Credit has been extended for 5 years, and some utility Coops, including SMPA have rebates for installing solar power as well as installing electric water heaters. We feel this makes for the most practical water heating.