Solar Collectors
Electric Boosted Storage Tank
To Hot Water Outlets
Electric Element
Water Supply
Circulation Pump
Figure 1 - Split Solar Electric Boosted Hot Water System
Solar Collectors
Gas Boosted Storage Tank
Gas Booster
Water Supply
Gas Supply
To Hot Water Outlets
Circulation Pump
Figure 2 - Split Solar Gas Boosted Hot Water System
During this procedure there must be no smoking, open
flame or electrical appliance operating nearby. If Hydrogen
is discharged through the tap, it will probably make an
unusual sound like air escaping.
Collector Weight & Dimensions
The solar collector evacuated tubes, header and associated
pipe work do not contain large volumes of water and are
able to be flush mounted on most roof structures and
cladding materials due to their relatively low weight.
The weight, dimensions and capacity of the solar
collectors, are given in Table 11 “Evacuated Tube Solar
Collector Specifications”. It is the responsibility of the
installer to ensure that the roof structure is able to
withstand the static load applied by the solar collector/s.
The collector mounting system is not suitable for use in
cyclonic regions.
PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
The Stratco Solarcore
TM
hot water heating system collects
heat energy from sunlight using an array of very efficient
evacuated glass collector tubes. These are mounted on
the roof and oriented towards the midday sun, where
possible, to maximise the solar heating effect.
The evacuated glass collector tubes are so efficient that
they can collect heat from sunlight during cool, windy or
even overcast weather. The heat is rapidly transferred to
water passing through copper pipes inside the evacuated
glass tubes. A pump circulates the heated water to the
hot water storage tank located at ground level.
An electronic controller with temperature sensors
monitors the water temperature in the solar collector
and hot water storage tank. The electronic controller
turns the circulation pump on when the solar collector
is 8°C hotter than the hot water storage tank and turns it
off again when the temperature difference drops to 2°C.
Solar heating continues until the water temperature in
the hot water storage tank reaches a maximum of 65°C
or there is insufficient heat available from the sun.
Additional heating is provided using a gas booster
or electric boost element for periods when there is
insufficient heat available from the sun.
Solar heating generally takes place between 9:00am and
3:00pm. Correct size and position of the solar collectors
are important to ensure optimum performance of the
solar hot water heating system. The solar collector should
be capable of providing the majority of hot water needs
on clear sunny days in summer, with boost heating only
necessary during periods of high hot water consumption.
During periods of medium solar heating, such as overcast
days, some boost heating will be required.
Under these conditions, the solar collector will preheat
the water and reduce the amount of electricity or gas
required to heat the water.
In heavily clouded weather when solar heating is not
possible, the gas booster or electric boost element will
provide all the heat necessary to ensure a continuous
supply of hot water.
