11
INSTALLATION
Installation
8
INSTALLATION
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Assembly
The system must be installed by specialist personnel. Use only
the assembly material supplied with the solar collector. The sup-
porting framework and all masonry or brickwork fixing points
must be checked by a person expert in static loading, and must
be suitable for the nature of the installation site.
Static load
The solar collector must only be installed on roofs or frames
that are strong enough to support its weight. The strength of
the roof or frame must be verified on site by a person expert in
static loading before the solar collector is installed. During this
process, it is important to verify the suitability of the support-
ing frame to hold the screw fasteners that fix the solar collector
in place. An expert in static loading must verify that the entire
frame complies with relevant standards, especially in areas lia-
ble to snow and areas exposed to high winds. Conditions (gusts
of wind, formation of wind vortices, etc.) at the point where the
solar collector is to be installed must be carefully considered
since these can increase the loads on the supporting structure.
Allow for a maximum permissible total load on each collector of
850 Pa (possible in the event of a peak wind speed of 130 km/h).
Lightning protection
The metal piping of the solar heating circuit must be connect-
ed to the main potential compensation bar by a (yellow-green)
copper wire (H07 V-U or R) of at least 16 mm
2
. If a lightning con-
ductor system is already installed, the solar collectors may be
connected to the existing system. Alternatively, the solar collec-
tor piping may be connected to ground via a ground wire sunk
into the earth. Ground wires must be sunk outside the house.
The ground wire must be connected to the potential compensa-
tion bar through a wire of the same diameter.
Water connections
Solar collectors must be connected in series using the threaded
unions provided. If flexible pipes are not used to connect the
solar collectors, the piping must be fitted with expansion joints
(U-type expansion joints, flexible hoses) to absorb thermal ex-
pansion. Provided adequate expansion joints are used, up to 6
solar collectors may be connected in series. Make sure that the
unions are located correctly when tightening them. When tight-
ening a union with a pipe wrench or spanner, always hold the
opposite union steady with a second tool to avoid twisting the
pipe to which the union is attached.
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All pipes in the water circuit must be insulated in conform-
ity to relevant standards. Lagging and insulation must be
protected against damage by the weather and birds and
animals.
Angle of collectors / General
Solar collectors are designed to be installed at angles of be-
tween 15° (minimum) and 75° (maximum). Make sure that the
bleed and vent valves of the collectors remain open while the
collectors are being installed. Take care to protect all fittings,
connections, bleed and vent valves against dirt and dust etc..
In installations which serve primarily to produce domestic hot
water in the summer, install the collectors facing from east to
west at an angle of between 20 and 60°. The ideal orientation
is southwards, at an angle equal to the latitude of the location
minus 10°. If the system sustains the greatest thermal load in
the winter (as in systems that combine domestic hot water pro-
duction with central heating), install the collectors facing south
(or south-east or south-west) at an angle greater than 35°. The
ideal orientation is southwards, at an angle equal to the latitude
of the location plus 10°.
Flushing and filling
For safety reasons, the solar collector must be covered, using
the packaging it came in, for at least two hours before it can be
filled. In areas liable to frost, fill the collector with an anti-freeze
heat transfer fluid.
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DO NOT ADD WATER TO THE GLYCOL PREMIX.
The anti-freeze supplied for use with solar collectors comes
ready to use. IT MUST NOT BE MIXED WITH WATER.
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Take care if you flush the system out, because water trapped
inside the circuit before filling with glycol premix may freeze.
Vent
Bleed the circuit:
− On startup (after initial filling) (see the figure on page 12).
− Whenever necessary, as in the event of system malfunc-
tioning.
Make quite sure that all air has been bled out of the system.
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Risk of burns from hot fluid inside the collectors.
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Only open the vent valve if the temperature of the fluid in
the circuit is below 60°C. Make sure that the collectors are
not hot before you start bleeding the circuit. Always cover
the solar collectors before bleeding the circuit. Always per-
form bleeding in the morning.
Checking the heat transfer liquid
Check the anti-freeze effect and the pH level of the heat transfer
liquid every 2 years.
− Use an instrument like a refractometer or densimeter to
check the anti-freeze effect: if the fluid’s density differs
from that declared in the manufacturer’s technical spec-
ifications, replace the anti-freeze fluid.
− Check the pH of the anti-freeze fluid using litmus paper:
if measured pH differs from that specified in the manu-
facturer’s technical specifications, replace the anti-freeze
fluid.
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At the end of its useful life, dispose of the product in com-
pliance with applicable legislation.
