INSTALLATION
11
Installation
INSTALLATION
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Assembly
The system must be installed by specialist personnel. Use
only the assembly material supplied with the solar collec-
tor. The supporting framework and all masonry or brick-
work 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 ex-
pert in static loading before the solar collector is installed.
During this process, it is important to verify the suitability
of the supporting 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 stand-
ards, especially in areas liable 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 con-
nected to the main potential compensation bar by a (yel-
low-green) copper wire (H07 V-U or R) of at least 16 mm
2
. If
a lightning conductor system is already installed, the solar
collectors may be connected to the existing system. Alter-
natively, the solar collector 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 compensation 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 expansion. 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 tightening 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.
b
All pipes in the water circuit must be insulated in con-
formity 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
between 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 pri-
marily to produce domestic hot water in the summer, install
the collectors facing from east to west at an angle of be-
tween 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 production
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, us-
ing 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.
b
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.
b
Take care if you flush the system out, because wa-
ter 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 mal-
functioning.
Make quite sure that all air has been bled out of the system.
b
Risk of burns from hot fluid inside the collectors.
b
Only open the vent valve if the temperature of the fluid
in the circuit is below 60°C. Make sure that the collec-
tors are not hot before you start bleeding the circuit.
Always cover the solar collectors before bleeding the
circuit. Always perform 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 tech-
nical specifications, replace the anti-freeze fluid.
- Check the pH of the anti-freeze fluid using litmus pa-
per: if measured pH differs from that specified in the
manufacturer’s technical specifications, replace the
anti-freeze fluid.
b
At the end of its useful life, dispose of the product in
compliance with applicable legislation.
