20 – Part 3: Solar water heater system installation
Part 3: Solar water heater system installation – 21
Solar storage tank and pump station controller location
Choose a location for your solar storage tank and pump station controller centralized to the domestic hot water piping system.
You must also locate the solar storage tank and related domestic piping where it will not be exposed to freezing temperature.
All piping should be insulated. The storage tank should be installed so there is access to the electric element (or burner) and
thermostat for future service. If you do not provide minimum clearances, it might not be possible to service the tank without
removing it from the space.
The water tank must be located in an area where a leak will not damage the building contents or structure. If you do not have
this location requirement available, you must use an auxiliary catch pan. The tank must also be placed in a location where
the T&P discharge, and drain pan discharge, can be piped to the outdoors or a floor drain. The T&P discharge and drain pan
discharge shall be piped to the outdoors, or a floor drain, per state or local building codes.
Provide clear access to the storage tank, pump station controller, expansion tank, mixing valve, and other key components.
The components on the potable side of the system may require future service or maintenance, so it is recommended that the
connections be made with brass unions. You must use the VELUX pipe and fittings when plumbing the solar loop for the solar
storage tank and the expansion tank. The use of galvanized fittings, nipples, di-electric unions, CPVC, PVC or other plastic pipe
is prohibited.
Hard copper connections to the city cold water supply line and home hot water feed lines are recommended. The gaskets in
standard water heater flex hose connectors can become brittle and compressed over time and begin leaking on the water
heater. If not detected in a timely manner, even a drip or leak may cause serious damage to the tank’s electrical components or
in extreme cases, may cause the tank to leak from the outside in.
!
WARNING
Do not introduce heat transfer fluids into any fittings on the tank except those clearly marked for that purpose. See heat
transfer fluid specification in the back of this manual.
4. Cover the solar collectors before proceeding to the next step of the system installation procedure.
Diameter of water heater
plus 4” minimum
To open drain.
Line should be at least
3
⁄
4
” ID and pitched for
proper drainage.
6” Min
Clearance
24” Min
Clearance
No min
Clearance
6” Min
Clearance
