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Florida - December 2005
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Dear Mr. Gulden, I would like to take a moment of your time to tell you how pleased I am with the first phase of the installation of the hot water system. Your installers, Frank and his partner (please forgive me I don't recall his name) were very polite, courteous and above all professional. It was apparent that they possessed the skills, knowledge and abilities necessary to completion of the job. They represented your company with a sense of pride and should be commended. I will be looking forward to the completion of the system as soon as I can get my roof repaired.
Thank You - Frank F. Imparato
Thank you so much for your great response and action. I will tell others of my positive experience with your quality service.
Sincerely, Bill Sitkin
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Mexico - December 2001
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A group of 16 adults from Brownsburg Christian Church in Indiana went on a mission trip to an orphanage in San Luis Potosi, Mexico in September 2001.
We did several general maintenance projects plus also installed (3) ProgressivTube solar water panels. This was done to reduce cost of propane gas used to heat hot water. Also hot water was provided to areas of the orphanage that did not have hot water. Previous to the installation of the solar pamels, the propane tank had to be refilled every 3 weeks. The orpahange now reports going 3 months and still has gas in the tank. In addition, hot water has been expanded to the kitchen, clothes washing area and two bathrooms.
We want to thank Solar Direct and Watkins Trucking for providing and shipping these (3) panels to Mexico.
It was a very rewarding trip to first improve the physical needs of the orphanage and second to have a great spiritual experience with these wonderful people.
Ed Cottingham, Member, The Mexico Mission Team
Brownsburg Christian Church
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John F. Kennedy Terrace - St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
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More than forty percent of the population of the U.S. Virgin Islands live in public supported housing. Most of this housing was constructed in the 1960's.
In 1982 the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) began providing funds to the Virgin Islands Housing Authority to renovate these properties. The Development Coordinator of the Housing Authority realized that at 15cents/kwh for electricity solar hot water systems could dramatically reduce the Authority's monthly operating expenses. Solar water heating would also allow some residents to have hot water that had never had it before.
With a wide selection of solar water heating systems available, the Housing Authority decided that one unit should be chosen and standardized for all installations on St. Croix. In 1985, the Housing Authority's architects spent considerable time selecting equipment.
After reviewing performance data, costs, life-cycle analysis, potential maintenance problems, and actual year- long installed systems comparisons, the Development Coordinator approved the architect's decision that the most appropriate equipment was the ProgressivTube integral collector storage system, model PT-40CN.
The John F. Kennedy Terrace renovation project was started in 1988. A single PT-40CN system was installed for each of the 200 apartments. The Chief Executive Officer of the Housing Authority stated that the PT-40CN systems "tremendously enhanced the Authority's financial system by reducing the energy demand of our lower income residents, thus reducing our energy allowance subsidy." After a year-long review the Development Coordinator stated in a report on the systems performance, "As a matter of fact, the product's performance far exceeds its stated requirements."
The ProgressivTube solar water heaters were wind load tested in south Florida to an equivalent of 180 mph winds. This test is a strong indication of a collector's durability and was one of the deciding factors for the Housing Authority architects. The PT-40CN's durability was severely tested when Hurricane Hugo destroyed St. Croix in the fall of 1989. Hugo had sustained winds of 180 mph and gusts in excess of 230 mph.
An inspection of the systems after the storm revealed that all systems were still in place and only six out of the 200 had suffered any damage. All six had broken glass because they had been hit by flying debris but were otherwise undamaged.
After Hurricane Marilyn hit the Virgin Islands in 1995, another inspection was performed on the JFK systems. As with the three other housing projects on St. Croix that had ProgressivTube solar water heaters, there was no damage found. The ProgressivTube solar water heaters were the only ones found not to have suffered storm damage from Marilyn.
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"Spirit of Today" House - Orlando, Florida
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In 1993, the Florida Solar Energy Center, in conjunction with Donovan Dean Architects of Orlando, Florida, designed a concept home for Better Homes and Gardens magazine. The 3,594 square foot home was constructed in the Metro West area of Orlando.
It combined energy and water efficiency (50% better than codes) with handicapped accessibility, environmentally friendly materials, excellent indoor air quality and exciting design, all delivered through panelized housing. Because of these remarkable features, Better Homes and Gardens published a major article on the "Spirit of Today" house in its October 1994 issue.
The ProgressivTube Passive Solar Water Heater, model PT-40CN, was chosen for the project because of its reputation for reliable, durable operation and cost effective performance.
