|
|
Technology Overview |
 |
Technology Overview
Collector Panels:
A Solar Water Heating Solution is chiefly about the Panel. The Panel is the collector and highly visible. It determines how much energy is absorbed and stored. Therefore the selection process should start with the panel. For optimum performance the solar collector panels need to face the equator.
Installation angles up to 45 degrees away from the equator do not have a major effect on the annual solar output. This means north-east to north-west facing roofs are suitable for solar collectors.
The collector panels on the market are split in 2 technology groups namely Flat Bed Collectors and Evacuated Tube Collectors. Each of these have advantages based on position and/ or personal preferences. There are several options for Eskom Rebates with both Technologies.
|
 |
|
 |
Full Systems or Conversions - the geyser:
There are several geysers on the market to choose from i.e. slightly more expensive Solar Geysers or branded conventional geysers.
oneSolar offers installed Solar Geysers from leading South African Manufacturers with 10 year or 5 year warrantee at very competitive prices.
|
|
Conversion Systems:
A good quality conventional geyser is suitable to be connected to a solar panel by changing the fittings of your conventional geyser. The electrical element is used as a back-up for insufficient weather conditions. A conversion allows you to go Solar now and still get some mileage out of your geyser.
However – your geyser should be not too old and it needs to be a good quality geyser. Should your geyser not be in a good condition, the heat loss might be to great.
oneSolar fits a geyser duvet onto your existing geyser to prevent heat loss and will install a Hot Water Management System to ensure that you are in control of your system performance.
oneSolar offers conversions that qualify for the Eskom DSM Rebate.
|
|
Full Systems:
This application is suitable when building a new house or if your geyser is at the end of its life expectancy.
oneSolar has several a wide range to choose from and we will advice you accordingly. Any of the above mentioned panels can be fitted to any Solar Geyser.
The geysers will be fitted inside the roof or wherever the old geyser has been placed.
We don’t recommend geysers to be placed on the roof due to aesthetics as well as due to the possibility of insufficient support for the geyser weight on the roof.
However - this is a topic that can be discussed when we come to see the site.
oneSolar offers full systems that qualify for the Eskom DSM Rebate.
|
|
Direct and Indirect Systems:
This describes the way your water is actually heated. With a direct system the water gets directed from the geyser into the panel, then directly heated by the sun.
An indirect system would use another heat-absorbing liquid to be run through the collectors and then to heat the water inside the geyser. The applications for indirect systems are in areas with frost or acidic water conditions.
oneSolar offers direct and indirect systems as well as frost-resistant direct systems where the frost problem gets solved through a frost protection valve allowing direct systems to be installed in frost areas.
Passive and Active Systems:
This terminology is used to describe the water flow between the geyser and the solar panel. Passive systems rely on natural convection to circulate the water through the collectors. In this case the geyser needs to sit higher than the panel to allow for natural flow. This system is also called a Thermo-Siphon-System.
Active Systems use electrically driven pumps and valves to control the circulation.
This allows greater flexibility as the storage tank does not need to sit higher than the panel. The electricity can be generated by simply connecting it to a conventional power supply or by fitting a small Photovoltaic Panel onto the roof that drives the pump.
oneSolar offers both options and has systems on Eskom DSM Rebate for both scenarios. |
|
|
|
|
