Download a PDF of our Solar Thermal Information brochure:

Products

Download our solar collector product brochure:

A solar hot water heating system consists of:

• a solar collector or series of collectors
  
  
• a hot water cylinder
  
  
• a control panel
  
  
• a pump unit.

 

Our ‘evacuated tube’ solar collectors are highly efficient due to the fact that they work on diffused light. Their shape and selective surface harness indirect solar radiation as well as direct sunlight, maximizing efficiency even on cloudy days.

 

Each evacuated tube is made up of two strong glass tubes, similar to large test tubes; one tube within the other. The tops of the tubes are fused together and the gap between them ‘evacuated’ creating a vacuum, just like a thermos flask. The outer tube is made of clear glass that allows the sun’s rays to pass through it with minimal reflection. The inner glass tube is coated with a special selective coating that absorbs the sun’s rays whilst preventing any heat losses from radiating. Once the heat has been captured it cannot escape because the vacuum is an excellent insulator. Temperatures inside the tube can reach over 180 degrees Celsius, while the outer tube remains cool to the touch. This is the reason why evacuated tubes work well in all climates and can easily out perform flat plate collectors in cold weather.

Down the centre of the inner evacuated tube a heat pipe is threaded. This narrow copper pipe is partially filled with a fluid that boils at approximately 30 degrees Celsius. As the fluid boils it turns to steam and rises to the bulbous tip of the heat pipe where it dissipates its heat via the manifold. After dissipating its heat the fluid condenses and returns to the bottom of the heat pipe ready to start the process again. The manifold is the rectangular box visible at the top of the collector, which links all the tubes together. Inside the stainless steel casing of the manifold is a copper tube with a series of ports that accept the heat pipes.

 

These ports use dry joints, with the heat pipe tips requiring no more than a gentle push to locate them. This system means the water in the manifold never mixes with the fluid in the heat pipe and because the water in the manifold never enters the evacuated tube, the whole system can work even when a tube is broken. Broken tubes are easily replaced without the need to drain down any part of the system.

 

Please feel free to get in contact with us by email or call 0845 189 9894 to discuss any of your requirements.

Click here to see the systems we can supply direct.

 

Solar Keymark Approved