I just do not understand why more people just replace their standard hot water tank while our sun blazes overhead... While the upfront costs of solar is a little more, there are almost no energy bills past that. Most people use electricity (burning coal and further polluting our increasingly unhealthy air here!) to heat water for their homes and business. It's so illogical, it's sad.
Peter at Pacific West Solar is a great LOCAL business. At least have them quote a solar hot water system before mindlessly replacing your tank unit. Get a quote NOW before the old system does fail - as they all fail and that's the time to change it up! Of course, you do need sun exposure for any solar system to work :-)