Tips for Best Solar Hot Water Panels

It is easy to get overwhelmed by the choices. However there are some simple things to consider to find the best solar hot water panels for your situation.

Panel Size

Most panels are about 1×2m. Depending on the tank size, you will need between 1 and 3 solar water panels. Usually a system comes with the right number of panels and any installer will always make sure that they are adequate for your situation.

If you have an existing solar hot water system that does not generate enough hot water, you might want to look into getting an additional panel. It is best to go back to whoever sold you the system, to make sure all the fittings go together.

Technology

There are two major technologies to choose from: flat plate and evacuated tube.

Flat plate technology has been around the longest and is the most widely used. The glass is sturdy and they usually get a slightly higher REC rating than the evacuated tube system.

Evacuated tubes have two advantages: they produce a little more heat when there is no sun and in cooler climates and they are not prone to frost damage. The drawback: tubes break more easily (but can be replaced individually), in summer they might be too efficient, which leads to wasted water and they are more expensive.

We have chosen flat panel technology, because for the hot climate in Queensland they give a better return on investment. In colder areas, the tube technology certainly has its place. See solar water panel system differences.

Casing

Yesterday, we replaced a solar hot water system where the panel casing had rusted away. To prevent that for our clients, our panel casing is aluminium. The corrosive layer that forms has the same silvery look and more importantly prevents all further disintegration.

Many panels are made of zincalume. It is coated steel (the coat is made of zinc and aluminium). As soon as the coat is broken at any point (corrosion or any scratch might do that), it will start to rust.

Frost Tolerance

When water freezes, it expands and thus might crack the panels under heavy frost. There are two ways to prevent that: Frost valves and closed-loop systems.

With a closed-loop system, it is glycol that gets heated up in the panels. It is transferred in a heat exchanger to heat the water. Glycol does not freeze, even in below zero temperatures. These systems are more expensive.

When you only experience the occasional frost, frost valves are a good alternative. As temperatures drop, they open up so that the water drains out of the panels. That way, they damage is averted. Please note that some frost valves include the manufacturer’s warranty against frost damage, whereas others don’t.

How do Solar Water Panels Work?

Here is John, our plumber explaining it.

Conclusion

It is good to know about these things, when you talk to salespeople. It means you can ask the right questions. When you go through the free instant online quoting process, you’ll find that the ideal system is chosen, so that you can be certain to get a high quality long-lasting solar water product that keeps producing you hot water.

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 18th, 2008 at 1:22 pm and is filed under FAQ. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.