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If you run a laundromat or other type of laundry service that uses lots and lots (and lots) of hot water every day to wash clothes, uniforms, restaurant and hotel linens, then it may be time to consider a solar hot water (sometimes referred to as a "solar thermal") system.

How much will it cost? Unfortunately, there is no "one-size-fits all" solar hot water system for laundromats--or any commercial business. Homes are more predictable, but commercial solar systems require specific information.

Below are a few of the things that solar thermal engineers will need to know. Some of this information can be obtained through your utility. Your solar installer will help you obtain the relevant data or documents.

• Type of utility. Are you gas? Electric? Oil? Steam? This information will be used for many reasons, including engineering and for estimating your utility savings over time.
• Hot water usage. Based on a number factors, the installer will need to obtain an estimate. There are certain formulas and estimated assumptions that can be used to determine how much gas or oil is used for heating your water and how much is used for other functions, such as heating the building and your facility's dryers.
• Monthly utility bills. It's important to know patterns of usage during the different months and seasons. Solar hot water systems will produce more during the summer, obviously, but systems must be designed to not overproduce during those months. Of course, you don't want to under producing for the cooler seasons. As a result, the goal is to offset as much as 80% of your total annual hot water needs.
• Types of washers. Do you have large industrial washers? Small residential? Front loaders or top loaders? How many of each do you have? How many gallons are used per load for each type of washer?
• Types of dryers. As mentioned above, in order to estimate your current costs from heating water, the installer must know how much fuel is being used for other gas or oil powered functions. Aside from the brand of dryer, they'll also need data about the number dryer cycles used per month.
• Type of roof. The installer will have to know about your roof. Is it in good condition? How much area is available to install solar collectors? Also, is it a flat roof or slanted? Of course, there must be as much sun as possible, so a shade analysis will have to be performed.
• Roof orientation. If the roof is oriented in a particular direction, at what direction? The best solar potential is achieved when the solar panels face south. However, there are ways to compensate for any direction, especially when you have a flat rooftop. The angle or pitch of a roof is anther factor. If you have a flat roof, the racking will positioned at the optimum angle.
• Current storage tank area. The solar hot water installer will need to know about your storage tank area. How far away is it from the roof? Is it on the roof? Wherever it is, is there room for another tank? Can they use your existing tank to incorporate into solar system, or must the tank be replaced.

In addition to the above information, the installation cost will depend a great deal on state rebates. Until 2016, businesses can also qualify for an investment tax credit worth 30% of gross installed cost. There are other business tax incentives, as well.

Finally, while saving money will probably be the main reason for your laundry business to go solar, the other benefit is that you'll be helping the environment --something worth promoting in advertisements. In the aftermath of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, consumers may consciously choose and refer businesses that use less gas and oil and rely on clean sources of energy.

Tor Valenza aka "Solar Fred" is a solar advocate and solar consultant who writes and blogs about solar hot water for San Jose', California-based Free Hot Water. He passionately believes that solar photo voltaic (PV) and solar hot water systems can make a difference for the environment--and save consumers and businesses money. You can find a lot more information about solar hot water costs for your home or business at http://www.freehotwater.com

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