| Solar Thermal Water Heater: Solar Panel and Exterior Pipe Installation |
From "Solar Solutions"
episode SLR-105 |
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After deciding the placement of the rooftop solar thermal collection system, it's time to get started on the exterior installation. Materials: (Most components come in a kit.) Solar water heater collection panels
Copper piping
Sandpaper or emery cloth
Flux paste
1" pipe insulation
Adhesive rubber butyl pads
Mounting brackets
2" stainless lug bolts
Drill
Threaded fittings
Wrench
Saw
Drill with assorted bits
These directions are only a general guide. Please consult manufacturer's complete instructions for detailed step-by-step and diagrams, or consult a professional. - Mount center solar panel on brackets that will allow panels to be connected and held securely into place. These brackets will elevate the panels about an inch from the rooftop surface for proper air circulation.
- Secure brackets to roof with 2" stainless lag bolts (figure A). Insert weatherized rubber butyl pads between the brackets and roof surface.
- Retighten bolts, then attach second panel to the center panel. In addition to positioning on the brackets, the second panel will also connect to the first at threaded fittings near each end. Hand tighten fittings (figure B), then tighten with wrench.
- Repeat for remaining panel, then bolt all remaining brackets to roof and tighten.
- With the panels in place, it's time to run the copper piping from the solar panels to the basement (in this example) where the water heater will be located.
- The copper pipes are sized and cut before the ends are scuffed with emery cloth or sandpaper.
- Flux paste is applied to the roughened ends and the ends are heated with a propane torch for about 30 seconds. Solder is applied around joint and heated to seal (figure C). This process is called "sweating the pipes."
- Connect prepared pipes to the solar panel (figure D). One set will run antifreeze from the interior components to the solar panels; the other set will carry heated water around the panels, down the side of the house and back to the water heater for storage.
- Next, drill holes through the exterior surface of the home into the basement or crawlspace. Feed long copper pipes through holes.
- Connec the long copper pipes with the pipes connected to the solar panels. Insulate with 1" insulation near the panels (figure E).
RESOURCES :
Solar Living Source Book: The Complete Guide to Renewable Energy Technologies and Sustainable Living
Model: 0916571041
Author: John Schaeffer (Editor), Doug Pratt (Editor)
(Real Goods Solar Living Sourcebook, 11th Ed)
Real Goods
Website: www.realgoods.com
The Solar Electric House: Energy for the Environmentally-Responsive, Energy-Independent Home
ISBN: 0963738321
Author: Steven J. Strong, William G. Scheller
Chelsea Green Publiishing Company
Solar Buildings
Covers zero-energy building and other solar technologies.
Solar Buildings
Website: www.eere.energy.gov/buildings/
U.S. Department of Energy - Solar Energy
U.S. Department of Energy - Solar Energy
Website: www1.eere.energy.gov/solar
Solar Power System Consulting and Installation (Chesapeake Wind & Solar)
Chesapeake Wind & Solar
Website: www.cwsenergy.com
Solar Thermal Collector Panels (Heliodyne)
Model: Gobi 3366
Heliodyne
Website: www.heliodyne.com
Solar Water Heater Tank (Vaughn)
Model: 120-gallon stone lined tank with 2 heat exchangers
Vaughn Corporation
Website: www.vaughncorp.com
Solar Tank Thermostat Controller (Thermomax)
Thermomax
Website: www.thermomax.com/usdt2001.htm
Solar Water Heater System Circulator Pump (Bell & Gossett)
Bell & Gossett
Website: www.bellgossett.com
GUESTS :
Jeff Gilbert
Chief Technical Officer and Co-Founder
Chesapeake Wind & Solar LLC
Website: www.cwsenergy.com
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