Solar Thermal Systems
Solar thermal collectors absorb the rays of the sun and transfers their heat to water
flowing through copper pipes. This extremely hot water then travels to a hot water heater
to take the place of water heated by electrcity or gas.
Solar thermal systems consist of several primary parts:
- solar thermal collectors
- plumbing to and from the collectors
- a heat exchange unit
- a control unit
- pumps
- a hot water storage tank
Domestic Solar Hot Water System
An adequately sized Domestic Hot Water (DHW) solar thermal system will make a great deal of the the
hot water a household needs. In the summer, the gas or electric hot water heater may not come on
at all. During the winter months a gas or electric hot water heater is used to supplement the
smaller amounts of solar hot water (no cold showers!).
All the above components work together with your existing gas or electric hot water
heater. Together they ensure you always have enough hot water, just with a much lower
monthly heating bill.
Solar Hot Water for Space Heating
Another way to use hot water from the sun is to offset home heating expenses. These systems
require more collectors, bigger pumps, and a larger heat exchange unit and storage tank.
Buildings with infloor radiant heating, forced-air furnaces, and other heating sources can
benefit from solar hot water space heating. In addition, hot water wall heaters can be added
into areas where an additional boost of localized heat is desired.
