National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Learning About Renewable Energy

Student Resources on Solar Hot Water

Photo of a school building next to a pond.

Roy Lee Walker Elementary School in Texas incorporates many renewable energy design features, including solar hot water heating.

The following resources will help you learn more about solar water heating systems. If you are unfamiliar with this technology, see the introduction to solar hot water.

Grades 7-12

Re-Energy: Solar Heat
Features basic information about the energy from the sun's heat, as well as to build your own solar oven.

High School and College Level

U.S. Department of Energy Consumer's Guide: Solar Water Heaters
Features comprehensive basic information and resources.

U.S. Department of Energy Consumer's Guide: Solar Swimming Pool Heaters
Features comprehensive basic information and resources.

U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon
A competition among college teams to design the most attractive, energy-efficient, and effective solar-powered house.

Evaluation Tools

NREL Solar Radiation Data Manual for Flat-Plate and Concentrating Collectors
Allows you to find out the average, minimum, and maximum amount of solar energy available at your location, by month or for the entire year.

Publications

A Consumer's Guide: Heat Your Water with the Sun (PDF 603 KB) Download Adobe Reader.