A Super Size Solar System for Apartment High-Rise

Flower Park Plaza, an 11-story senior citizens apartment tower in Santa Ana, got the finishing touches to its solar water heating system this week as a storage tank weighing nearly six tons was lifted 120 feet to its roof. The building is among the tallest in Orange County to have such a system, according to its installers.

Anthony Bonano, president of Future Solar Systems of Lawndale, claimed the $120,000 solar water heating system will reduce gas bills from 50% to 80% annually at the 200-unit, federally subsidized complex that opened in December.

The 3,805-gallon tank will collect water that has been heated to 120 degrees after running through 74 solar collectors on the roof, Bonano said. On cloudy days, conventional gas water heaters will be used.

Although the solar water heating system at Flower Park Plaza is similar to those installed in many homes, the rooftop collectors have been adapted to withstand the stronger wind gusts found at that height, Bonano said.