The collector system is an “Active Solar Thermal System”.   This means that the system captures radiant energy from the sun and transfers it directly to a thermal mass.  Other systems can capture the energy, convert it to electricity and then to heat.

 

There are six parts to an active solar thermal heating system:

· Solar Collector Panels - Inside the panels are black-finned, coiled copper tubes containing food grade propylene glycol.  The fins collect solar energy, heating up the propylene glycol which travels in two copper pipes into the heat exchanger in the building.

 

· Heat Exchanger - Transfers the heat from the copper pipes into the thermal mass which is a solar hot water storage tank, and recirculates cool propylene glycol to the collector panels.

 

· Pump - The propylene glycol pipes are a closed pressurized system.  A small pump uses very little energy to keep the liquid circulating.  The pump can be run by a small photovoltaic panel.  (solar cell)

 

· Control Equipment - Measures temperatures and engages the pump when the temperature of the thermal mass is lower than the temperature of the collector panel.

 

· Thermal Mass - A 50 -100 gallon hot water tank installed beside your existing hot water heater.  Your existing hot water heater then draws pre-heated water from the thermal storage tank.  When the thermal mass is not hot enough, your existing hot water heater would then top up the temperature using conventional means. (natural gas or electric).

 

· Monitoring Equipment - Records flow and temperature using analog or digital gauges.

Ellie Shifflett 

Grade 8, Cayley School

Last Edited May 1/07

Solar thermal domestic hot water system: 3 Enerworks thermal collectors with 360 liter solar pre-heat tank, Thermal Mass).  Farm, Priddis Alberta.

http://www.sedmek.com/ST1.html

360 liter solar pre-heat tank, (Thermal Mass).

http://www.sedmek.com/ST1.html