Solar Hot Water Panels

Solar Hot Water Panels
Solar Hot Water Panel Mounted On Top of Standard Entryway on 34′ Dome.
Solar Hot Water Panel Mounted On Top of Link
40′ American Ingenuity Dome Home On Right
Tell me about the Solar Hot Water Systems Manual talked about
in the magazine Alternative Energy Retailer.
Solar energy veteran Tom Lane of ECS Solar Energy Systems
recently published “Solar Hot Water Systems – Lessons Learned:
1977 to Today.” The 200 page manual outlines how the latest
technology and valuable lessons learned from the past can help
a new generation of solar contractors expand their businesses
and satisfy their Customers.
Solar hot water topics covered in the book include: detailed
system CAD drawings, an overview of different manufacturers’
components, drain back systems, closed-loop glycol systems,
single- and double-pumped systems, open-loop systems, passive
ICS and thermosyphon, system testing and monitoring, solar
space heating, collector and storage sizing, roofing and
flashing, and solar pool heating.
To learn more about “Solar Hot Water Systems – Lessons
Learned: 1977 to Today” or to purchase a copy, visit
www.ecs-solar.com or call 352-377-8866.
To view the Alternative Energy Retailer magazine’s web site
click on Retailer.
Q: How are Solar Hot Water Panels installed in the dome shell?
A: Solar Hot Water panels can be designed to set on top of the
entryways or a link. Anchors are buried into the entryway
concrete on site. Grooves are cut in the E.P.S. insulation to
lay the pipes in and the water pipes are inserted through the
entryway E.P.S. before the entryway is concreted. Some of our
clients have solar hot water panels mounted on their dome
link. The panel sits on the link and lies against the side of
the dome. To hide the ends of the solar panel, fill in the
ends with E.P.S. and stucco over the E.P.S. so it matches the
dome.
The Florida Solar Energy Center seeks to provide the general
public and professionals with accurate and current information
about alternative energy use and production.
Contact the U.S. Dept of Energy for a Consumers Guide to
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
Solar Direct: click on solardirect.com/swh/swh.htm?ref=adwords
to see more solar info.
Sharp triangle solar panels:
www.sharpusa.com/solar (Click
on Products, Modules)
The following was taken directly from their web site:
Sharp is the #1 manufacturer of solar cells worldwide
with nearly as much generating capacity as the next
three largest manufacturers combined. Our residential
solar systems give families the ability to generate
their own electricity from the inexhaustible energy of
the sun – with no harmful emissions. They’re costeffective, quiet, attractive, safe, and reliable, with
only minimal maintenance required over their long
operational life. They’re the right choice for your home
and the right choice for the environment. It’s no wonder
why so many homeowners are making the move to Sharp
Solar.
Your Sharp solar system is customized specifically for
your needs. We manufacture a complete line of solar
modules in a range of power output levels, as well as
unique triangular modules that lend a beautiful, custom
look to angled rooflines. Your independent Sharp
Certified Installer will help you determine the ideal
system based on your power needs, and design a rooftop
configuration that provides clear, unobstructed access
to the sun while ensuring a clean, stylish appearance.
To Research Tankless Hot Water On Demand Water Heaters visit Rinnai,
Bosch, Takagi web sites
Klaus Kolb installed a Rinnai Continuum tankless (Troughflow)
water heater in his American Ingenuity 40′ Dome Home. The
specifications are Whole House Unit, Model REU 2424W-US; Min
19000 BTU, Max 180000 BTU; LP Gas.
Rinnai
http://www.rinnai.us/
The following info came directly from their web site:
With Rinnai Continuum and Integrity’s patented
technology, you will have an endless supply of hot water
24 hours a day. Unique to the Rinnai tankless water
heaters is the ability to utilize up to three water
outlets simultaneously with a constant temperature of
hot water. The Rinnai Continuum and Integrity supplies
hot water at the rate of up to 8.5 gallons per minute
continuously with no time constraints!
______________________
Bosch
The following info came directly from their web site:
Have you ever thought about going tankless? Save energy
and space with the help of one of the nation’s leading
producers of tankless gas water heaters. Our highly
efficient Bosch AquaStar tankless water heaters are
redefining how homeowners throughout the U.S. heat their
water!
How could going tankless benefit you?
Constant comfort: Never run out of hot water
Low operating costs: Most energy efficient water heaters
on the market
Advanced technology: Designed and built to last 20 years
Easy handling: Small, lightweight and hangs on wall
____________________
Takagi: The following came from their web site.
Since there is no tank to fill, there is no end to your
supply of hot water. Depending on the model, Takagi
Tankless water heaters deliver between 200 gallons and
500 gallons of hot water every hour on demand. Tankless
systems guarantee that an endless supply of water is
available to residences, commercial spaces or anywhere a
constant source of hot water is needed.
At just twenty inches high, and weighing only forty
pounds, the T-K Jr. is the most compact unit in the
Takagi line. Designed to produce endless hot water and
radiant heating for smaller homes, The T-K Jr. uses the
same innovative technology as the original Takagi units
– only on an even smaller scale.
Solar Pool Filtration and Collector Pumps
Lorentz – solar water pumps
The following information came directly from their web site:
We manufacture solar water pumps. Today´s featured
product are our solar pool filtration and collector
pumps. No more power bills for your customer. Power
cuts? No Problem the pool is clean 5 years return of
investment from saved power bills. Solar modules are
warranted for 20 years and more.
______________________
U.S. Department of Energy – Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy -A
Consumer’s Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
The following info came from their web site.
Solar
water
heaters —also
called solar domestic hot water
systems—can be a cost-effective to generate hot water for your
home. They can be used in any climate, and the fuel they
use—sunshine—is free.
How They Work
Solar water heating systems include storage tanks and solar
collectors. There are two types of solar water heating
systems: active, which have circulating pumps and controls,
and passive, which don’t.
Most solar water heaters require a well-insulated storage
tank. Solar storage tanks have an additional outlet and inlet
connected to and from the collector. In two-tank systems, the
solar water heater preheats water before it enters the
conventional water heater. In one-tank systems, the back-up
heater is combined with the solar storage in one tank.
Three types of solar collectors are used for residential
applications:
Flat-plate collector – Glazed flat-plate collectors are
insulated, weatherproofed boxes that contain a dark
absorber plate under one or more glass or plastic
(polymer)
covers.
Unglazed
flat-plate
collectors—typically used for solar pool heating—have a
dark absorber plate, made of metal or polymer, without a
cover or enclosure.
Integral collector-storage systems – Also known as ICS
or batch systems, they feature one or more black tanks
or tubes in an insulated, glazed box. Cold water first
passes through the solar collector, which preheats the
water. The water then continues on to the conventional
backup water heater, providing a reliable source of hot
water. They should be installed only in mild-freeze
climates because the outdoor pipes could freeze in
severe, cold weather.
Evacuated-tube solar collectors – They feature parallel
rows of transparent glass tubes. Each tube contains a
glass outer tube and metal absorber tube attached to a
fin. The fin’s coating absorbs solar energy but inhibits
radiative heat loss. These collectors are used more
frequently for U.S. commercial applications.
There are two types of active solar water heating systems:
Direct circulation systems: Pumps circulate household
water through the collectors and into the home. They
work well in climates where it rarely freezes.
Indirect circulation systems: Pumps circulate a nonfreezing, heat transfer fluid through the collectors and
a heat exchanger. This heats the water that then flows
into the home. They are popular in climates prone to
freezing temperatures.
Passive solar water heating systems are typically less
expensive than active systems, but they’re usually not as
efficient. However, passive systems can be more reliable and
may last longer. There are two basic types of passive systems:
Integral collector-storage passive systems: These work
best in areas where temperatures rarely fall below
freezing. They also work well in households with
significant daytime and evening hot-water needs.
Thermosyphon systems: Water flows through the system
when warm water rises as cooler water sinks. The
collector must be installed below the storage tank so
that warm water will rise into the tank. These systems
are reliable, but contractors must pay careful attention
to the roof design because of the heavy storage tank.
They are usually more expensive than integral collectorstorage passive systems.
Solar water heating systems almost always require a backup
system for cloudy days and times of increased
demand.Conventional storage water heaters usually provide
backup and may already be part of the solar system package. A
backup system may also be part of the solar collector, such as
rooftop tanks with thermosyphon systems. Since an integralcollector storage system already stores hot water in addition
to collecting solar heat, it may be packaged with a demand
(tankless or instantaneous) water heater for backup.
Installing and Maintaining the System
The proper installation of solar water heaters depends on many
factors. These factors include solar resource, climate, local
building code requirements, and safety issues; therefore, it’s
best to have a qualified, solar thermal systems contractor
install your system.
After installation, properly maintaining your system will keep
it running smoothly. Passive systems don’t require much
maintenance. For active systems, discuss the maintenance
requirements with your system provider, and consult the
system’s owner’s manual. Plumbing and other conventional water
heating components require the same maintenance as
conventional systems. Glazing may need to be cleaned in dry
climates where rainwater doesn’t provide a natural rinse.
Regular maintenance on simple systems can be as infrequent as
every 3–5 years, preferably by a solar contractor. Systems
with electrical components usually require a replacement part
after or two after 10 years.
When screening potential contractors for installation and/or
maintenance, ask the following questions:
Does your company have experience installing
maintaining solar water heating systems?
and
Choose a company that has experience installing the type
of system you want and servicing the applications you
select.
How many years of experience does your company have with
solar heating installation and maintenance?
The more experience the better. Request a list of past
customers who can provide references.
Is your company licensed or certified?
Having a valid plumber’s and/or solar contractor’s
license is required in some states. Contact your city
and county for more information. Confirm licensing with
your state’s contractor licensing board. The licensing
board can also tell you about any complaints against
state-licensed contractors.