Solar Thermal Energy
Residential, Industrial and Commercial
Indoor and Outdoor Pool Heating
Space Heating
Etc.
Solar thermal energy can be used in solar water-heating systems, solar pool heaters, and solar space-heating systems.
Solar collectors gather the sun's energy, transform its radiation into heat, then transfer that heat to water, a fluid, or air.
For more information on our solar thermal systems please visit our solar thermal website. |
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Solar thermal water heating systems are comprised of several components:
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Evacuated-tube collectors
Evacuated-tube collectors can achieve extremely high temperatures (170�F to 350�F), making them more appropriate for cooling applications and commercial and industrial application.
The collectors are usually made of parallel rows of transparent glass tubes. Each tube contains a glass outer tube and metal absorber tube attached to a fin. The fin is covered with a coating that absorbs solar energy well, but which inhibits radiative heat loss.
Air is removed, or evacuated, from the space between the two glass tubes to form a vacuum, which eliminates conductive and convective heat loss.
Courtesy of NREL
For more details on our solar collectors please visit our solar thermal website.
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Controllers
Solar thermal systems are managed and operated by solar controllers.
As soon as the temperature of the collector exceeds the store temperature, the controller activates the circulation pump and the heat medium liquid transports the heat, taken up at the collector, into the hot water store (constant differential temperature regulation).
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Heat Exchangers
Heat exchangers are used in closed-loop solar hot water systems. They enable the transfer of heat from one fluid to another without the two mixing. Internal heat exchangers are inside the tank and not visible.
As the heated fluid from the solar collector travels through a coil, the heat is passed from the hotter fluid to the cooler potable water.
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Accessories
We offer a wide range of accessories to complete your solar thermal water heating system.
You can find them on our solar thermal website.
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To find out more about solar thermal energy, please download: Solar Water Heating Systems: A Buyer�s Guide or take a look at our F.A.Q.'s.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the benefits of solar water heating?
2. Will we always have hot water?
3. Is our house suitable for a solar water heater?
4. What will a solar water heater do to the appearance of our house?
5. Where should the solar water heater be installed?
6. What maintenance should we do?
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1. Solar water heaters provide
you with several benefits over
conventional water heaters.
You will reduce your hot water
heating costs. You will also be
directly reducing greenhouse
gas emissions (carbon dioxide,
CO2, released into the atmosphere),
thereby contributing
to a healthier environment.
The energy you can expect to save
by switching to a solar water heater
depends on several factors such
as the size of the collectors and
storage tank, appliance efficiency,
amount of sunlight in your region
and, very importantly, the amount
of water you use. A typical solar
hot water system will reduce annual
energy costs by 40 to 50 percent.
You can expect that a solar water
heater will provide you with 1500
to 3000 kWh of energy per year,
depending on your hot water usage
and regional climate.
Domestic water heating contributes
approximately 6 million tonnes
of CO2 each year toward Canada�s
greenhouse gas emissions. By
installing a solar water heater, you
can make a difference. In fact, a
solar water heater will eliminate
up to 2 tonnes of CO2 emissions
per year, in proportion to your
energy savings.
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2. Modern solar water heaters are
well suited for the north american
climate because they produce
energy when the outside temperature
is well below freezing. They
also have mechanisms that protect
them from freezing in the winter
and from overheating on hot
sunny days. Nearly all systems
use the existing water heater
as a backup energy supply to
ensure that there is always a
supply of hot water.
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3. Most solar water heaters can easily
be retrofitted to your existing
water heater. Inside your home,
you will need a small space adjacent
to your existing water heater
for the solar-heated water storage
tank and the heat transfer unit
that is connected to the collectors.
Having a storage tank for your
solar-heated system will reduce the
likelihood that you will run out of hot water in your home. However,
most small systems, for example
systems with 3 m2 of collectors,
do not come with a storage tank.
The best location for the collectors
is on an unshaded, southfacing
roof or wall. For excellent
performance, solar collectors
should face due south and be
set at an angle of 18�� 50�from
the horizontal plane. Collectors
can also be mounted on a sturdy
frame near your home, or can
be integrated into the roof
of a storage shed. The solar
collectors typically require a
flat mounting area of about
3 m2 for each collector. Most
installations require one to
two solar collectors.
A small path is required for the
piping which connects the solar
collectors to the storage unit. The
piping usually can be installed
through closets, cold air returns,
wall cavities, and along the
outside wall of the home.
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4. Components for solar water
heaters are located outside
and inside your home. Properly
installed solar water heaters
will not detract from your
home�s appearance or disrupt
your normal household routines.
Taking a small amount of time
to examine the different possible
locations for the solar collector
array can make a large difference
on the visual appeal of the final installation. On
the outside of your
home, the largest
visible component
is the solar collector
array. Solar collectors look similar
to low-profile skylights.
Modern solar
collectors are usually
finished in an
attractive aluminum
casing with a glass
cover. Collectors
are 10 to 15 cm
in thickness and
require a flat area
of about 3 m2 each.
Special frames to
raise the collector
off the roof are
usually not
desirable and, in
most cases, the improved
performance of the system may
not justify the additional cost.
On the other hand, installing
the solar collector at a shallow
angle may compromise winter
performance and will not assist
in snow removal. Mounting
the collector flush with the roof
contributes to a neat installation
and ensures the collector will not
contribute to additional wind
or snow loading.
The only other part of a solar
water heater that may be visible
on the outside of your house is
the insulated piping connecting
the solar collectors with the solar
storage unit. A good installation
will pass this tubing through
a special roof flashing in an
unobtrusive place. Sometimes
cathedral ceilings or special
wall construction require that the piping be run along the
outside of the house to a more
convenient entry point. In
this case, a downspout can be
installed to hide the piping, to
avoid any negative impact on
the appearance of the house.
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5. Your solar water heater dealer will
have the expertise to provide you
with proper site and installation
recommendations. However,
before making your final decision,
look at your options. Take into
account the appearance of the collectors
in each possible location.
Ideally, the mounting location
should remain unshaded for
at least 80 percent of the time
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
during the winter and summer.
For seasonal units, only the summer
period is critical. Shading can
come from your own house, from
trees or shrubs on your property,
and from neighbouring buildings
and trees. If the solar water heater
is to be used during the winter
months, take into account that
the shadows are longer during
the winter months, because of
the lower position of the sun.
At noontime during the winter
months, a six metre high tree or
building can produce a shadow
of ten metres or more, which can
significantly shade a collector
mounted on the ground or a wall.
It is also important to note that in most Canadian municipalities
there are no laws that prevent
a neighbour from building or
planting something that could
shade your collectors.
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6. Routine checks and maintenance
will ensure your savings are
consistent.
Once your solar water heater is
producing hot water, a monthly
check-up is recommended. There
are three easy ways to verify that
your system is running well:
1. Look to see that the pump
is operating when it is sunny.
2. Check carefully that the
pipes are warm.
3. Review your energy bills
to confirm your savings.
To ensure the water heater is
collecting solar energy when the
checks are made, complete the
checks on a sunny day just after
you use some hot water. Be careful, the pipes can be very hot!
Maintenance of a solar water
heater should be carried out
according to the manufacturer�s
recommendations. Your solar
water heater is an appliance.
It should be maintained on a
regular basis, like your other heating
and cooling systems. If you
have an antifreeze system, the
antifreeze should also be checked
every 1 to 2 years according to
the manufacturer�s recommendations. As well, if you carry out
your own maintenance, ensure
that the manufacturer�s maintenance practices are followed, and
that you use only recommended
antifreeze for topping up or
replacement.
You should ask your dealer for
procedures to follow when you
will not be using your solar
water heater for extended periods
of time. If you suspect a malfunction,
contact your solar
water heater dealer immediately.
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