INSTALLATION – SOLAR COLLECTORS
37
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF COLLECTORS
The maximum number of solar collectors which may be installed for each tank size is:
Tank Model
L
non-selective surface
LCS, TBT200 (T)
selective surface
270MDV
3
2
320MDV
3
2
410MDV
4
3
PIPE LENGTHS
The solar hot and solar cold pipes between the solar storage tank and the solar collectors shall:
be of bendable grade or hard drawn copper tube.
Annealed or soft copper shall not to be used.
have a continuous fall from the solar collectors to the solar storage tank. Horizontal runs of pipe work
are acceptable and may be installed.
not exceed the maximum recommended combined lengths as specified in the table.
Maximum recommended total combined pipe length (solar cold + solar hot)
and number of 90° bends
Pipe Size
1 or 2 Collectors
3 Collectors
4 Collectors
Pipe Length
90° Bends
Pipe Length
90° Bends
Pipe Length
90° Bends
DN15
40 metres
20
30 metres
20
15 metres
20
DN20
NR
NR
40 metres
20
40 metres
20
For each additional 90° bend, reduce the maximum total pipe length by 0.5 metres.
For each additional metre of pipe length, reduce the number of 90° bends by two.
Note: One 90° elbow is equal to two 90° bends.
NR
– not recommended.
Notes:
It is important to connect the solar cold and solar hot pipes to the correct connections at the solar
collector and at the solar storage tank.
The solar cold pipe connects to the bottom of the solar collector and may connect to either the left or
right hand side. The solar hot pipe must connect to the top of the solar collector diagonally opposite to
the solar cold pipe connection.
The hot sensor connection is at the solar hot outlet where the solar hot pipe connects to the solar
collector. The solar hot outlet and hot sensor connection is to be the highest point of the system.
Refer to
on page 38.
It is essential for these requirements to be followed for the system to operate correctly and efficiently. Solar
pipe work which is oversized, or is too long, or does not have a continuous fall can result in a reduction in
performance or the system not operating effectively.
