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Solar Energy
Our Sun emits large amounts of energy. In South Africa we have one of the highest levels of Solar Radiation per m, at 6.5 kWH/m2 in comparison to Europe which only receives on average 2.5 kWH/m2.
Solar Energy is an abundant and renewable source of energy, free and safe.
Solar Water Heating
Why Chose Solar Water Heating Systems?
Solar Water heaters work on two facts of physics. Black or dark objects absorb heat and hot water rises, due to convection. Unlike other systems, solar water heating is simple, simply because water is the only movable part. Solar water heating is reliable and requires low maintenance.
The Benefits of Solar Water Heating
Savings - Installing a solar geyser system will save you up to 45% on your electricity bill and in turn pay for itself over a short period of time, with the end result of supplying you with virtually free hot water.
Investment Value - Installing a solar water system will increase the value of your property as electricity prices go up and Government incentives and programmes roll out.
Positive Climate Effect – Solar energy is clean energy. No pollution or use of limited natural resources. You are doing your part for the environment by helping South Africa to become a climate positive nation.
Energy Supply Issues – During the recent months, there has been considerable strain on our national electricity grid, with load shedding and inconsistent power supply has left many homes with cold showers and baths. Installing a solar geyser will ensure that you will always have hot water.
How Solar Water Heating Works
There are three main components to a typical solar water heating system:
New Fits and Retrofits
Solar water heaters can be linked to existing geysers or can replace your existing geyser system if it is older than 3 years.
The system can be installed on top of a roof or it can be free standing. The geyser can be placed inside the roof, or other parts of your home, but the collector must be exposed to the sun where sunlight can reach it effectively.
Geysers mounted on top of a roof are usually placed horizontally, but for better stratification it should be mounted vertically.
Your roof structure must be assessed to see if it can support the weight of the storage container and collector.
Chosing the right system
There are two types of collector panels and systems that link together. These are Flat Plate Collectors and Vacuum Tube or Evacuated Tube collectors.
Flat plate Collector - A Flat plate collector has a toughened glass cover, a metal absorber plate, painted in black to maximize absorption, all housed in a well insulated casing.
Evacuated Tube Collector - These collectors have multiple evacuated glass tubes which heat up solar absorbers and, ultimately, solar working fluid (water or an antifreeze mix - typically propylene glycol) in order to heat domestic hot water, or for hydronic space heating. The vacuum within the evacuated tubes reduce convection and conduction heat losses.
Types of Systems
Direct Systems (open-circuit systems) - A direct system circulates the water between the geyser and the panel. The water is directly heated and used in baths and showers.
Indirect - Indirect system contains a heat transfer fluid that flows through the collector, transferring the heat to the water. The system is ideal for area where frost is prevalent. Indirect systems can require maintenance in the form of fluid top-ups.
Thermosiphon – A Thermosiphon unit is normally low pressure. It utilises natural convectional currents to move the water from the collector to the geyser. I.e. Hot water rises, cold water sinks. With this system the collector needs to be placed below the geyser and in most instances placed together on the roof.
Pumped Assisted High Pressure – The pumped assisted system requires a pump to push the water through the system. A differential controller needs to be installed, it controls when the pump switches on for the fluid to move through the system and also switch off the pump when the temperature of the fluid from the collector is 5 degree lower than that of the geyser.
Solar Lighting
Solar lights work by using a small photovoltaic solar panel that captures the energy from sunlight and then converts it to usable energy. When sunlight shines on the some materials it can create an electrical current. This current can then be converted and used to produce light.
Photovoltaic’s - This is the method by which electric power is generated by using solar cells, wrapped in “photovoltaic” modules. Electrically is connected in multiples as the modules arrays convert energy from the sun into electricity.