SRCC Rating and Certification Numbers

All SHEM Systems are SRCC Certified. This certification is required for many tax rebates and incentives from most state and federal programs. Through their testing, the SRCC offers predictions on performance based on location. This data is used to calculate some tax breaks and rebates based on the projected savings.

We believe the data provided by the SRCC regarding SHEM systems does not accurately reflect the potential savings the SHEM Simple Drainback system is capable of providing. Over the course of the last year SHEM has monitored a system installed at the Lakewood assisted living home in Reding, CA. Three Solene Aurora 4'x8' collectors were installed on a SHEM 80DB. Using a Metrima BTU meter, the production of the solar system was monitored.

Google Maps view of the collectors

Using the SRCC's website, a comparable
SHEM system was found. Using the CA Zone:15, the projected savings for three Solene Aurora 4'x8' on a SHEM 80DB with a gas backup tank is 4293 kWh per year.

One year after the system was installed in the assisted living home, the Metrima data logger was checked again. It shows a total of 7000 kWh saved in a single year.


The data shows a 63% difference between the SRCC projected data, and real world data.

First of all, congratulations on getting OG-300 !

OG-300 is based on a set of standard conditions and assumed sunshine. You might have had an extra sunny year.

Also, the hot water load for OG-300 and a three panel system is probably less than 100gal/day. At the old folk's home your load was likely MUCH higher than that. Instead of a .83 solar fraction, you probably got something lower.

Total btu's collected always goes up when the load goes up, especially when the solar fraction is relatively high.