Frequently Asked Questions:

How does this process work?

After determining that your building stands to benefit from solar thermal and entering into a contractual agreement, we will design and install a solar thermal water heating system for your building. The result is an immediate reduction in your energy costs as well as a smaller carbon footprint.

How long does it take to get started?

Before beginning, we will meter on your hot water heater to determine your actual consumption and help us size the system. This installation will take less than an hour and enables Skyline to establish a baseline for your hot water use as well as what times your usage is heaviest.  After the contract is agreed upon and executed, the system installation takes a few days–though it should not disrupt normal operations.

Who pays for this and how do I benefit?

Skyline Innovations will pay for all costs associated with the system, from hardware and installation to ongoing maintenance. Skyline will own and operate the system and share in the benefits with you. These benefits begin accruing to you immediately in the form of reduced energy costs.

Instead of paying the standard utility bill for water heating, you will pay a discounted rate to Skyline. Your utility bill for other energy use will be unaffected. We will bill you for roughly 65% of the utility rate. Since the remaining 35% is considered savings and not revenue it is money that goes straight to your bottom line.

Why would Skyline pay for this? What are they getting out of it?

By owning the technology and charging you a discounted rate for energy, we feel we can earn a satisfactory return. Because we install the system right on your rooftop we don’t need to transport the energy, eliminating costly power lines. This allows us to profitably provide you with energy at a discounted rate.

How does Skyline know how much energy I use for water heating?

Using monitoring technology that adheres to international standards, Skyline measures exactly how much solar heated water you are using and at what temperature, which is easily converted to energy. We apply this to your utility rate schedule, allowing us to see how much you would have paid your utility.

Will my water always be hot even when the sun is not shining?

Yes, you will continue to receive hot water on demand as you do now.  Although our system can keep your water hot long after the sun has set, you will keep your original gas or electric water heating capabilities as a backup system; the systems switch automatically so there is no inconvenience to you—just savings.

Even if the Skyline system were to break down completely, you would continue to receive hot water. The solar thermal installation is built around your existing system, augmenting, but not interfering with, its operations.  Skyline Innovations only earns when you are saving money. Therefore, it is in our best interest to insure that our system is always operating at maximum efficiency.