Thanks to the appropriate preparation of the solar collector and boiler installation, it increases the efficiency of the installation, improving the speed of water heating (even in large quantities), while reducing electricity bills. However, the domestic water heating system will only perform its function if it is connected according to the art, based on high-quality components. How to choose a solar collector for a water boiler? How to prepare the installation and connect the solar collector to the tank? We explain.
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Selection of appropriate pipes for solar collectors
When selecting pipes for a solar installation, remember about their diameter, length, and the material they are made of. This is important because the loss of energy provided by these elements should not affect the efficiency of water heating.
Flexible pipes made of steel or copper pipes are most often used in the installation. The mentioned materials guarantee a stable temperature of the energy glycol and ensure appropriate pressure of the working liquid.
The diameter of the pipes cannot be too low or too high. Too tight piping makes the installation ineffective. Increasing the glycol temperature increases the heat loss of the solar collector, which in turn results in problems with heating the water in the tank. In turn, pipes that are too wide reduce the speed of liquid flow and lead to the accumulation of air, which also effectively hinders the production of heat.
Specialists indicate that the pipe diameter should allow glycol to flow at a speed of 0.40-0.70 m/s. Such parameters are ensured by piping with a diameter of approximately 42 × 1.5 mm (for copper pipes) or wider for steel and flexible pipes (corrugated with markings DN16, DN20 and DN25, and stainless steel with a maximum diameter of 100 mm). The length depends on the energy demand and the distance between the collector and the boiler .
Appropriate collector power for the boiler and the house's needs
It is worth remembering that the key factor when selecting specific elements is the demand for thermal energy. Here, the area of the house and the number of people who will use the water heated by the boiler are taken into account.
The following parameters are necessary to calculate the tank capacity and the power and surface of the solar collector:
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Daily demand for hot water per person - calculated in accordance with the demand table (available, among others, on the Internet) - Number of people using the tank – for a household or utility area.
- Hot water temperature at the point of consumption - starting from the boiler.
- Cold water temperature – supplied to the boiler from the source.
- The maximum water temperature that the boiler can provide is usually around 50/60 degrees.
The minimum capacity of the boiler is the double the household demand for one person, the number of people, as well as the difference between the temperature of hot water at the draw-off point and cold water). The result should be divided by the temperature difference between the water in the tank and the cold water.
In Poland, it is assumed that for every 50 liters of boiler there is 1 square meter of active collector surface. If the minimum capacity requirement is 500 liters, an installation based on 10 square meters of collector should be created.
The power generated by the solar collector should be adjusted to the water heating time and the boiler capacity. In a boiler for a medium-sized family with a capacity of 120 liters and a power of 2 kW, the water is heated for 2.5 hours. The collector must guarantee full energy demand during this time.
How to properly connect solar collectors together?
A single solar collector may be, for example, about 2 square meters, so five such devices are required for full efficiency when working with a solar installation. They must be mounted relatively close to each other to be effectively linked together
Special connectors are used to connect the collectors, enabling common condensation of the generated energy. It is also necessary to use stainless steel screw fittings and clamps. Sometimes manufacturers have dedicated solutions created for the panels they prepare. In such a case, you should use the connections recommended by the manufacturer and choose several panels of one brand.
Proper installation of solar panels for hot water and connection of the installation
Setting up the device is as important as properly connecting the solar collector. They should be adjusted depending on the season. In the case of seasons with average sunlight (e.g. spring, summer, autumn), the angle to the sky should be 45 degrees. For very sunny days, a correction to 30 degrees is required. In winter, late autumn and early spring, the collector should be set to 60 degrees.
After installing the collector and attaching it to the ground, you can continue the installation. To perform it, you will need an adapted boiler (with two coils), an expansion vessel (designed to equalize the pressure in the collector system), a controller, a pump and a heat exchanger. The power of all parameters must be correlated. A pump that is too weak will not be able to provide adequate glycol pressure while the collector is operating.
Effective protection of collectors against overheating
Overheating of the solar installation most often occurs in the summer, when the solar collector processes a very large amount of thermal energy. To prevent such a situation and protect the device against too high temperatures, specialists recommend covering the device when the collecting vessel (boiler) is not used (e.g. during holidays or renovation works).
To cover the collector, it is necessary to use reflective foil or a tarpaulin that will stop the solar radiation.
Solar collectors and boilers at the Onninen wholesaler
If we want to connect a solar collector and enjoy an efficient installation, it is worth investing in boilers and solar panels from the Onninen installation wholesaler . Devices such as, among others: the Immergas EP 2.0 V2 solar collector , the Wolf TopSon F3-1" vertical "TopSon F3-1" solar collector and the Clage 50L capacity tank guarantee high efficiency and provide access to cheap hot water in public buildings and private homes.
By installing a tank and a collector adapted for installation, we can enjoy hot water at any time of the year, effectively reducing electricity bills. However, the efficiency of the installation also depends on the correct connection of subsequent parts and each