Solar Hot Water Heating

How It Works

The solar thermal panels heat a glycol solution (anti-freeze). The heated solution travels to a heat exchanger where the heat is transferred to the domestic cold water supply. The heated water is stored in a tank that feeds into the traditional electric hot water heater. On a good day, the solar thermal system will adequately supply the building with hot water, eliminating the need for the electric water heater.

System Information

The entire hot water system was manufactured by Heliodyne and consists of the Solar Collector Panels, the Heat Exchanger, and the Hot Water Storage Tank.

Number of Collector Panels: 2
Model: GOBI-406-001
Capacity: 80 gallons of glycol solution
Estimated Reduction: offsets 1778 kWh/yr

Installation/Operation

Materials:

(250) linear feet of plumbing
(200) linear feet of wiring (for temperature sensors)
(2) Solar Thermal Panels
(1) Rack for Panels
(1) Heat exchanger/controller
(1) Hot Water Storage Tank

The construction of the Solar Thermal system began on January 15, 2010 and lasted roughly a month. In that time period, ECI Wind and Solar was able to install all the necessary plumbing and equipment for the system. The process would have taken a shorter amount of time, but there was an issue that came up when installing the collector panels: attaching them to the roof.

Since each panel holds 40 gallons of glycol solution and needed to be mounted at a 50º angle, securing these panels to the roof of the IMPA building was a problem. For a residential customer, this step would not have been a setback, since most residential roofs are already angled and are easier for fastening equipment without causing leaks. But the IMPA building has a flat roof and a special membrane which is held in place by gravel rock. A special platform was constructed on the roof and provided a proper mounting location for the solar thermal panels.

The solar thermal system came online on February 15, 2010. The system is self contained and will need regular maintenance throughout its lifetime. With proper care, the system should last 25 years.

	Solar Hot Water Heating IMPA Energy Efficiency Program Energy Efficiency Energy Audits and Calculators Electric Safety Energy Efficiency Links Renewable Energy Demonstration Solar Hot Water Heating Solar Photovoltaic Panels Vertical Axis Wind Turbine How It Works The solar thermal panels heat a glycol solution (anti-freeze). The heated solution travels to a heat exchanger where the heat is transferred to the domestic cold water supply. The heated water is stored in a tank that feeds into the traditional electric hot water heater. On a good day, the solar thermal system will adequately supply the building with hot water, eliminating the need for the electric water heater. System Information The entire hot water system was manufactured by Heliodyne and consists of the Solar Collector Panels, the Heat Exchanger, and the Hot Water Storage Tank. Number of Collector Panels: 2 Model: GOBI-406-001 Capacity: 80 gallons of glycol solution Estimated Reduction: offsets 1778 kWh/yr Installation/Operation Materials: (250) linear feet of plumbing (200) linear feet of wiring (for temperature sensors) (2) Solar Thermal Panels (1) Rack for Panels (1) Heat exchanger/controller (1) Hot Water Storage Tank The construction of the Solar Thermal system began on January 15, 2010 and lasted roughly a month. In that time period, ECI Wind and Solar was able to install all the necessary plumbing and equipment for the system. The process would have taken a shorter amount of time, but there was an issue that came up when installing the collector panels: attaching them to the roof. Since each panel holds 40 gallons of glycol solution and needed to be mounted at a 50º angle, securing these panels to the roof of the IMPA building was a problem. For a residential customer, this step would not have been a setback, since most residential roofs are already angled and are easier for fastening equipment without causing leaks. But the IMPA building has a flat roof and a special membrane which is held in place by gravel rock. A special platform was constructed on the roof and provided a proper mounting location for the solar thermal panels. The solar thermal system came online on February 15, 2010. The system is self contained and will need regular maintenance throughout its lifetime. With proper care, the system should last 25 years.
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