Currently Sunflower solar collectors are abating CO2 emissions by over 13,000 tonnes / 28.6million pounds per year, with collectors fixed in the UK, USA, New Zealand, Germany, France, Sweden, Italy, Hungary, Portugal, Jordan, Lebanon, Australia, Canada, Mexico and many other sites.
(One metric tonne = 2200 pounds)

There has been a large amount of information in the media during the past few years about global warming and the negative effects of CO2 emissions. 2003 saw severe weather conditions and a torridness throughout Europe. These obvious evidences of the actualism of this problem, are commonly referred as the "green house effect." Fossil fuels such as coal for electricity production, and gas for water heating both release large amount of CO2 into the surroundings, which contributes to the environmental pollution phenomenon.

By using renewable energy sources such as Solar Thermal, Solar PV, Wind, Hydro and Geothermal, humans' reliance on fossil fuels ought to be minimised, which then can actually reduce CO2 emissions. Generally speaking, when a coal power station produces 1kWh of energy, 1kg (2.2pound) of CO2 is produced accordingly. And when we burn natural gas for 1kWh energy for electricity production or water heating, 450grams of CO2 is produced.

In the general household, water heating accounts for about 30% of CO2 emissions. By setting up a solar water heater, which can meet your hot-water-heating energy needs of 50-70%, you can reduce your total CO2 emissions by over 20%.

The two calculators listed below can be used to estimate how much CO2 can be emitted by installing a Sunflower solar water heater together with either an electric or natural gas water heater. Just input your mean annually insolation level and the number of evacuated tubes and then click on calculate.
If you don't know how many evacuated tubes you require, please click here.