Goal: More Solar-powered Water Heaters

Choose your goal – energy independence, a cooler climate, ascetic energy stinginess – and you''ll find in the category of low-hanging fruit “solar powered water heaters.” A federal taxbreak already exists for homeowners who want to install solar panels that absorb the sun''s energy and use it to heat their water. California is moving to enact state subsidies – already on the books in some other places – to increase the use of this down-home efficient technology. Another option -- go with a tankless water heater to reduce energy consumption. In California, how to pay for the program is the question. The goal has near universal support, according to a story in the May 29 Los Angeles Times.