Environmental builder looks to harness Tri-City sun

The Tri-Cities, with its 300 days of sunshine each year, sounds like the perfect place to pitch solar technology.

But as Raymond Lam, president of Silk Road Environmental, told the Herald, his company sells more solar water heaters on the rainy side of the state.

"We talk a lot about wanting green technology in the Tri-Cities, but a lot of our interest is coming out of the western part of the state and in Idaho," he said.

Lam estimated that 5 percent of his business comes from Eastern Washington -- but he hopes to change that soon.

Lam showed off his company's solar water heating system Wednesday in Kennewick at a house built by Don Pratt Construction.

The solar heater on display captures energy from visible and ultraviolet light in a panel made up of thin tubes. The energy heats up antifreeze in a copper pipe at the center of each the tube, which is then used to heat water.

Ultraviolet rays can penetrate clouds, so short of heavy snow or a torrential downpour, the tubes will collect energy all day, even in the winter, Lam said.

This will be the second house that Don Pratt Construction has built with Lam's solar water heaters, and the construction company will build more if customers want them, said supervisor Dale Perry.

But the initial cost and installation of the panels has held back solar technology, even though a solar panel today costs half as much as one three years ago, he said.

Prices for a Silk Road Environmental heating system start at $2,700, which includes the installation fee. Additionally, homeowners can receive a 30 percent tax credit on the purchase when they file their federal tax returns.

Homeowners who can afford the initial cost will save in the long run, Lou said. The 330 square-foot panel that covers a thirdof his roof has cut his monthly energy bills in half.

* Eric Francavilla, a Herald intern from Washington State University, can be reached at eric.francavilla@email.wsu.edu.

This story was originally published April 26, 2012 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Environmental builder looks to harness Tri-City sun."