Is a solar hybrid system for me?Ī booster solar hot water system is an economical and efficient solution for most households. In these climates, a booster is necessary to ensure that hot water is always available, regardless of the weather. Solar boosted systems are common throughout Australia where less sun is available during winter. Where are solar boosted hot water systems most commonly found? Evacuated tubes suit colder regions where the sun is less effective. This design prevents heat loss through convection and radiation, so the only heat loss possible is from the tank. They consist of a copper pipe running through the middle of a glass tube which is sealed to create a vacuum. Solar hot water collectors come in two varieties: flat panels and evacuated tubes.Įvacuated tubes are expensive, but easily outdo panel collectors in some conditions. The more sun the panels are exposed to, the greater the efficiency. From a distance the panels look similar to photovoltaic solar cells, but in reality are actually just glass-covered boxes containing copper tubes, which are exposed to the sun. There are two different technologies for solar hot water collectors the traditional panel collector style, and the evacuated tube solar collector. As the tank is less exposed to the elements, there is less heat loss from a split system than a roof mounted system, but this is offset by the small amount of electricity used to run the pump. Cold water is supplied to the panels and hot water flows to the storage tank by means of a low wattage pump. Split system units work on the same principle, except that the storage tank is located at ground level. ![]() Hot water is typically gravity-fed to the house, though this can be aided by a small pump if necessary. If the water cools down again, it flows back into the pipes to be re-heated. Thermosiphon water heaters consist of roof mounted flat plate collector panels (not to be confused with electricity-producing photovoltaic cells), or evacuated tubes full of copper tubing into which cold water is pumped.Īs the collectors or tubes absorb heat from the sun, water rises through the tubes and is collected in a tank above the panels. Solar hot water systems are usually either thermosiphon units or split system units. This means you are only using fuel to heat the water part of the way, thus still maintaining high energy efficiency and low running costs.Īdvertisement Thermosiphon and split systems The booster in such systems is a small burner or heating element that only kicks in when the water reaches a sufficiently low temperature. In these situations the gas or electric booster will provide additional heat to your water.Ĭurrent legislation demands that all solar hot water systems in Australia must incorporate an alternative heat source - this is to ensure that the temperature of the water regularly exceeds 60☌ (in order to kill bacteria). In low temperature conditions and colder climates, the sun may not be strong enough to maintain a consistently high water temperature on its own. The water is then either collected in a tank above the panels (using a thermosiphon system) or one on ground level (using a split system). These types of water heater rely mainly on collector panels (not to be confused with electricity producing photovoltaic cells), or an evacuated tube array to heat water directly under the sun. ![]() A solar boosted system is effectively a split system solar setup with a gas or electric booster.
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