Solar One - Split System

Installation of split system

Installation Introduction

Service

Introduction

Installation of Split System

The split solar water heating system is more complex than the roof mounted system. There are two different methods of installation:

Active System : the system uses an electric pump, valves and controllers to circulate water and is exceedingly efficient.

Passive System : water being thermo siphoned back to the cylinder.

Active System

When installing an active system one of the main considerations is the proximity of the cylinder to the solar panel. The water pipes are the main source of heat loss in the system and thus the distance between the cylinder and panel should be minimised.

Active systems include open loop split solar water heating systems and closed loop split solar water heating systems.

Open Loop System
Open loop split solar water heating systems use pumps to circulate household water through the collectors. This design is efficient and lowers operating costs but is not appropriate if your water is hard or acidic because scale and corrosion will quickly disable the system. Open-loop active systems are popular in regions that do not experience subzero temperatures regularly.

Click on Open-Loop system to download the Installation Diagram.

Closed-Loop System
These systems pump heat-transfer fluids (usually water or a glycol-water antifreeze mixture) through the collector. Heat exchangers transfer the heat from the fluid to the household water that is stored in cylinder. Some standards require double walls when the heat-transfer fluid is anything other than household water. Closed-loop glycol systems are popular in areas subject to extended subzero temperatures because they offer good freeze protection. However, glycol antifreeze systems are more expensive to install, and the glycol must be checked each year and changed every 3 to 10 years, depending on glycol quality and system temperatures.

Click on Closed - Loop system to download the Installation Diagram.

Passive System

The split solar system can be configured to run without a pump and controller providing the storage cylinder is higher than the solar panels. This can be achieved by having your storage cylinder at the top of the roof space. Water will be naturally thermo siphoned from the solar panel to the cylinder. This gives total independence from electricity, ensuring hot water even during power cuts.

The heat-pipe vacuum tube split solar collector can be installed in many different ways. The location, mounting, plumbing, pump type, cylinder and controller may all differ considerably from house to house. The system chosen should best suit your personal requirements and will then provide you with the highest level of performance and reliability.

The installation of the heat-pipe vacuum tube solar collector is essentially the same as most flat plate collectors. In fact you may be able to replace a flat panel with a solar evacuated tubes panel without the need for any major system modifications.

Please click here to download the Split System Installation Instructions.