Thread: Solar panel water heater reservoir

Greetings. I came upon this yesterday during a condo inspection. Of course, SOP's doesn't require inspection of solar devises. However, I want to better familiarize myself with this type of system for future reference. Does anyone know where I can get instructional data on what I am looking at?

Thanks in advance.

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ther than doing a search on Google, which will give you a tremendous amount of info, I really cannot help with anything but the basics.

One thing I will tell you is a kit that puts out about 2500 watts that you still have to install yourself is about $10,000.00 Imagine if you had someone else install it.

Maybe that is why so few are going in that direction.

Any solar guys in your area can go over it with you, find one you like and can refer. this stuff is becoming very common. I had a system installed in my house and it ended up costing less than a standard water heater due to rebates and tax credits.

Essentially, that is a closed loop system with a heat exchanger in the blanketed water heater. The water heater (probably an 80 gallon Rheem) has copper tubing coiled around the outside of the tank (inside the jacket, not visible). The fluid (anti-freeze solution) is pumped through the solar panel on the roof, heated and returned to the coils around the tank which heats the water in the tank. The control unit turns the pump on and off so you don't have fluid running through the panels and coils if there is no sun.

Things to look for: Obvious leaks (pipes and panels), some pressure in the closed loop (about 20 psi I think), pump actually operating when the sun is out. Doesn't hurt to check the temp. at the tap to be sure it is not overheating.
Obviously, disclaim it, but I recommend reporting any obvious problems.

Originally Posted by Ted Menelly

ther than doing a search on Google, which will give you a tremendous amount of info, I really cannot help with anything but the basics.

One thing I will tell you is a kit that puts out about 2500 watts that you still have to install yourself is about $10,000.00 Imagine if you had someone else install it.

Maybe that is why so few are going in that direction.

Hey Ted, what are you talking about?????????????????

Originally Posted by matt faust

Hey Ted, what are you talking about?????????????????

Like I meant to say. *Other* than directing him to Google I could not tell him much about solar. I could tell him about as much as Benjamin but I would have been winging it and could not reply any further with a come back.

In essence Google can give him any info at all about solar.

The definite item I told him was that solar systems are very expensive and the pay back takes a good period of time. That is why so few have gone solar.

All in all, pretty much what I already told him. You can look at any set up you want that has to do with solar systems thru Google search and it would have explained it a whole lot better than me.

I hope I made my reply a little clearer. Or did I make it worse ?

No worries, gentlemen. I was just looking for your personal experience (and thoughts) with solar panel water heaters. Although my SOP doesn't dictate inspecting them, my personal Standard of Care dictates to me, I should have some knowledgeable information to share with my client.

Solar hot water installations quite common here in Santa Fe.
Here are photos of combo boiler and solar panel system that supplies domestic hot water and radiant infloor heat.

http://www.htproducts.com/literature/SolarBrochure.pdf

Most rebates expire on 12/31/2010!!

New Energy Star requirements effective in beginning 2011.

Performance based so there will be more demand for energy raters; RESNET and BPI trained!!!

Of course, that is if anyone can get a loan to build or buy!?!?

Thanks Charles! Very nice pictures, and useful info. The system looks clean...

Just another area to keep up on. See more solar all the time.

How long before Mr. Handy trys to build his own system just like that from pictures he copied off of Inspection News?

Originally Posted by Thomas Thayer

Greetings. I came upon this yesterday during a condo inspection. Of course, SOP's doesn't require inspection of solar devises. However, I want to better familiarize myself with this type of system for future reference. Does anyone know where I can get instructional data on what I am looking at?

Thanks in advance.

Tom,

I always disclaim anything solar, but here is some info. to familiarize yourself with these systems...

Energy Savers: Solar Water Heaters

We had one of those solar assist systems installed at our home; the tank exploded last year, they wanted $900. for a new 80 gallon tank. No way! Put in a conventional electric 40 gallon tank with a timer. Now have hot water when we need it at less cost. Solar tanks are like electric wind mills - if the sun don't shine and the wind don't blow you are out of luck!

That's why the proposed cap and trade policy needs to be passed so conventional power will be so expensive wind and solar will be cost effective. Great idea don't you think?

Originally Posted by James Duffin

That's why the proposed cap and trade policy needs to be passed so conventional power will be so expensive wind and solar will be cost effective. Great idea don't you think?

So, for the next 20 years that it takes to ramp up you want to pay outrageous utility bills (you already are and you want more) ?

It will all come into affect in the near future. There are seriously large wind farms in Texas. I do not see my utility bills doing anything but going up. If you think that cap and trade is a good thing then you must also be for higher taxes on everything you buy, own and make. The absolute only thing cap and trade will do is raise prices across the board for everything. It will do nothing to make solar affordable. It will stay high priced because there will be no incentive to bring the cost down.

I remember when I was in Florida and they raised the sales tax in our area. t was going to be a 2 year deal.......yeah right! It not only stayed higher because the city was used to the money they could spend and give each other a raise it is even higher now than is was 6 years ago.

Raising prices on anything.....never lowers the price of or makes anything else more affordable. It just raises the price of everything and keeps it there.

EEEEEEEgads!!!!!!

The only thing cap and tax does is redistribute wealth the the poor nations. It doesn't have anything to do with energy conservation. It's like paying $50,000. for a hybrid car to save $.10 @ gallon, doesn't make much cents.

EEEEEEEgads!!!!!!

The only thing cap and tax does is redistribute wealth the the poor nations. It doesn't have anything to do with energy conservation. It's like paying $50,000. for a hybrid car to save $.10 @ gallon, doesn't make much cents.

Originally Posted by James Risley

How long will it take for someone to come up with a radiant tax (If the sun drops a ray on your property---you owe)?

I thought they already did that....oh wait....that is another tax I am thinking about

I am suprised. You are in CA and you do not know about solar. I thought Californians were into saving the planet and had been on the cutting edge of alternative energy sources. There are wind mill makers in America who are shutting down while millions of stimulus money went to China where they are in full production. KY missed out on a lithium battery plant that would have employed two thousand, but Obama did not carry KY so those jobs went, guess where, to China. It is enough to make a man sick.

Originally Posted by Ted Menelly
Other than doing a search on Google, which will give you a tremendous amount of info, I really cannot help with anything but the basics.

One thing I will tell you is a kit that puts out about 2500 watts that you still have to install yourself is about $10,000.00 Imagine if you had someone else install it.

Maybe that is why so few are going in that direction.

Originally Posted by matt faust

Hey Ted, what are you talking about?????????????????

Ted is talking about a collection system for power---not a collection system for hot water.

Some thoughts on the issue...

There are electrical systems that are leased that do not require a large upfront cost.

Was talking to an owner of a home system here in NJ that was purchased with grants. His share was around $22K. During most winter months he still gets money back from the power company and was surprised that his payback is coming much sooner that he expected.

Just a side note. There are solar collector (electric) bandits out there who will strip a roof in a few hours (home or business). Suggest that if you do an inspection note if security lock-down equipment installed or not.

As there are "do-it-yourself" systems coming on the market as well, they all need a closer look at by a home inspector.

You know various thing matters while choosing or installing solar panel Maryland at house but I read it only manually never applied. I like the way you guys took out simple question about solar panel Maryland but I would like to know what is the procedure of installing 1000watt solar panel at home. I bought a solar panel and I want to install it by myself. Is there any procedure for this, I have bought photovoltaic and solar heater cells.


solar panels maryland