by Christine Weatherman

Lifestyles writer

lifestyles@elkintribune.com

Kent Howell knows that the sun is for more than just light.

Ask him about the new state-of-the-art solar panels on the roof of his home and he'll get excited and be more than happy to tell you all about it.

Kent is excited because with his new solar water heating system, he is saving lots of money and conserving energy.

Howell discovered this latest advance in solar thermal technology this year and decided to try out the system for himself before installing it into the homes of his customers.

He owns and operates Howell Plumbing on Old U.S. 421 in Yadkinville and recently became a licensed dealer and installer for Solar Panels Plus, a company that markets the new solar heating system.

The history of solar energy use dates back to ancient Greece in the time of Socrates when homes were built to face the south, maximizing the sun's warmth.

Today, companies like Solar Panels Plus distribute solar energy products that maximize the sun's heating capabilities, saving money and reducing the use of traditional forms of energy.

Being the first in the area to employ this new solar technology is something of which Howell is quite proud, but he has always been a pioneer of energy conservation stating "I'm for reducing energy use wherever I can" and saying that he wants to "do everything I can to eliminate U.S. dependency on foreign energy imports."

The system that Howell installed includes a new type of solar panel that supplements his traditional water heater, but can also be used to power the home, heat a swimming pool, or run an air conditioner.

It works by collecting the sun's ultraviolet and and infrared rays and storing it in evacuated heat tubes in any kind of weather situation, unlike traditional-type solar panels that only work when exposed to sunlight.

Explaining how the tubes work, Howell says "it's like a thermos bottle with the vacuum, it's hot on the inside with very little heat loss, but not on the outside."

Another advantage to the new solar panel system is that it is durable and much lighter and easier to install than flat solar panels.

Howell also said with the projected increases in energy costs in the next five to 10 years, a home using the new solar heating system can save over $15,000 over a 20 year period. Those installing the new system can also receive federal and state tax credits for a percentage of the unit's cost.

If you'd like to learn more about what solar thermal technology can do for your home, call Howell at 679-4926 or visit www.solarpanelsplus.com.