Solar Basics

Building codes and regulations for solar water heater systems Before installing a solar water heater system, you should investigate local building codes, zoning ordinances, and subdivision covenants, as well as any special regulations pertaining to the site. You will probably need a building permit to install a solar energy system onto an existing building. Not every community or municipality initially welcomes residential renewable energy installations. Although this is often due to ignorance o...

Solar Water Heater System Maintenance And Repair Solar water heater systems require periodic inspections and routine maintenance to keep them operating efficiently. Also, from time to time, components may need repair or replacement. You should also take steps to prevent scaling, corrosion, and freezing. You might be able to handle some of the inspections and maintenance tasks on your own, but others may require a qualified technician. Ask for a cost estimate in writing before having any work don...

Heat Transfer Fluids For Solar Water Heater Systems Heat-transfer fluids carry heat through solar collectors and a heat exchanger to the heat storage tanks in solar water heating systems. When selecting a heat-transfer fluid, you and your solar heating contractor should consider the following criteria: Coefficient of expansion the fractional change in length (or sometimes in volume, when specified) of a material for a unit change in temperature. Viscosity resistance of a liquid to sheer forces (...

Heat Exchangers for Solar Water Heater Systems Solar water heater systems use heat exchangers to transfer solar energy absorbed in solar collectors to the liquid or air used to heat water or a space. Heat exchangers can be made of steel, copper, bronze, stainless steel, aluminum, or cast iron. Solar heating systems usually use copper and, because it is a good thermal conductor and has greater resistance to corrosion. Types of Heat Exchangers Solar water heating systems use three types of heat ex...

Solar Collector Spacing Calculator This online tool provides the you with the minimum distance to next solar collector and solar water heater system array to avoid inter-row shading. Input Data Results =Collector Angle Desired Degree H=Collector Height from Roof L=Length of Solar Panel L1=Collector Support Length P=If Pitched Roof Degree N (S)=Location Lattitude A=Roof Mount Height L2=Mimimum Distance to Next Array Calculator Notes: Enter Input information and TAB through The input unit for Leng...

These calculators compute how much time, energy, heating power, or costs is needed to heat water. The calculator supports Celcius/Centigrade, Fahrenheit, Watts (w), Kilowatts (Kw), Btuh, Joule, British termal unit (Btu), liter, gallon, kg, lb, cubic inch, cubic foot etc. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Water Heating Time Calculator Calculator th...