It
is interesting that while the use of a solar water heater was relatively
common during the 1920s in sunny states like Florida and Southern
California, the popularity did not continue to increase at the rate
that one would expect. In fact, there was a lull in interest until
the 1970s when environmental and economic issues took front stage
in the United States.
Only recently has the solar water heater taken the stage, front and
center, once again… or at least, it is starting to. With the
“hot” topics of Climate Change and Global Warming, people
are considering alternative ways of heating air and water, as well
as alternative forms of electricity and power. People are interested
in reversing the effects of Climate Change and improving the future
of the earth and of its children.
Of course, it seems to be other countries that are taking the solar
water heater movement (and other solar power implement) in full stride,
not the United States. Germany, Austria, Israel, China, and many other
countries sell solar heaters for cheap, and some countries even require
the installation of photovoltaic electricity and the installation
of solar hot water systems.