Solar Hot Water
solar hot water installation
The GSS Solar Hot Water System is built with the industry’s largest diameter copper headers, and state of the art “fusion-bonded” copper fin-tube waterways.
Fusion bonding eliminates the need for solder; producing the most rapid absorption and transfer of the solar energy. That is why the Hot Water System is the hottest, guaranteed!
The new GSS Solar exclusive extruded aluminium collector cabinetry, with the “storm secure “mounting hardware, and safety tempered glass is the leader in protection against storm and hurricane force winds. Its hot water storage tank is built with an internal porcelain enamel coated inner tank to ensure fresh, clean water quality. The tank’s internal magnesium anode provides cathodic protection to ensure the longest tank life. You can be sure that the new GSS Solar storage tank’s porcelain enameled internal coating has not undergone any change through welding. GSS Solar production technologies ensure the longest system life with the highest temperature. The Florida Solar Energy Centre (FSEC) tests confirm the energy absorption at 863.5 Btu per square foot of collector and lowest heat loss at 3.2 Btu heat loss per hour (as compared to 6.2 of another system).
Natural Convection or Circulation System
- No moving parts
- Produces hot water in direct sunlight and under diffused radiation conditions
- Produces hot water even in inclement weather
- Needs a collector ratio of 1sq.ft to 2.4. gallons
- Florida Energy Centre rated
The “natural convection” flat plate hot water system works effortlessly, by using the three basic laws of physics. Radiation, conduction and convection work together in unison to provide all the hot water you need for daily use. Incoming radiant energy enters the collector through the safety tempered glass cover. (Safety tempered glass is one of the innovations pioneered by our manufactures).
By “conduction”, the absorbed heat of the copper plate is transferred seamlessly to the water in the copper tubes through “fusion bonding” technology. (Fusion bonding technology is the most rapid heat transfer method, and eliminates solder).
The heated water rises by convective energy to the storage tank; while colder, heavier water from the bottom of the storage tank descends to the collector for heating.
The storage tank is located slightly above the solar collector panel.
No Electricity is Needed
The natural hot water system operates totally free of electricity for its circulation. Even a slight difference in temperature of the water in the collector panel is enough to effect the system’s circulation. This is why the natural convection system heats more water year round, than the mechanically forced “split” or pumped method.
There is an internal electrical heating element controlled by a thermostat, which in the event of inadequate hot water, may be activated by a switch. This is very seldom found to be necessary. We estimate that usage of the booster will be around 5 times per year for 1 hour; during prolonged inclement weather, or in cases where there are extra house guests.
Florida Energy Centre Rated
The natural convection system is the Caribbean’s most efficient flat plate solar hot water system, in the absorption of heat at 863.5 Btu per sq.ft as tested and rated by Florida Solar Energy Centre. Its heat retention is also the highest at 3.2 Btu per hour.
How much do you save?
The typical family saves 4,000 kWh of energy per year with a 80 Gallon Hot Water System; generating a typical return on your investment of more than 50%.
Pumped or “Split Circulation” System
- Needs mechanical pump and PV electrical panel
- Photovoltaic panel requires direct sunlight to energize the pump
- Will produce less hot water year round and may need boosting occasionally
- Requires a collector area of 1sq.ft to 2 gallons
Collector and Storage Tank ‘split’
The “split” Hot Water System is designed to meet the aesthetic needs of customers who prefer to have the storage tank in a location other than the roof. The split system is also suited to those installations where the angle of the roof is very steep. The system features the collector being located on the roof, while the storage tank is located at a lower level. A pump (mechanical force) is required to move the water from the bottom of the storage tank to the collector/s on the roof. The system uses the most modern technology with a direct current pump, which is energized by a Photovoltaic Panel. This pump will circulate the water through the system, moving the coldest water to the collector for heating; and returning the heated water to the upper layers of the storage tank. The use of a solar energy operated pump eliminates the need for the control and sensors of the old technology pumped system.
Quality Assurance
The public is advised that all our Tanks and Collectors are processed to ensure that the quality which a customer orders is delivered. Specifically, products produced reflect the following protocol:
1. Date of Manufacture
2. Quality:
A. New
B. Re-Manufactured (Re-Mfg.)
C. Repaired.
3. Each product will have the signature of the Production Technician as well as the Production Supervisor.
Horizontal or Vertical Storage
The “split” system allows for vertical or horizontal placement of the storage tank. Vertical storage of heated water is the more efficient in heat retention, while horizontal placement, though not as efficient, is preferred for aesthetic appeal.
“Split” or forced circulation systems are not as efficient in the absorption and transfer of heat as their convection or natural circulation counterparts, and additional collector area is provided to compensate for the difference. Where aesthetics are of major concern, the right-sized Split Hot Water System meets the specifications of performance with beauty.
FAQs
What is Solar water heating?
Solar water heating is the heating of water through the use of solar energy. Solar heating systems are generally composed of solar thermal collectors, a water storage tank or another point of usage, interconnecting pipes and a fluid system to move the heat from the collector to the tank. This thermodynamic approach is distinct from semiconductor photovoltaic (PV) cells that generate electricity from light; solar water heating deals with the direct heating of liquids by the sun where no electricity is directly generated. A solar water heating system may use electricity for pumping the fluid, and have a reservoir or tank for heat storage and subsequent use. The water can be heated for a wide variety of uses, including home, business and industrial uses. Heating swimming pools, underfloor heating or energy input for space heating or cooling are common examples of solar water heating. A solar water heating system can form part of a solar thermal cooling system, promoting efficient temperature control of buildings or parts thereof. During cool conditions, the same system can provide hot water. Solar heating of buildings in temperate climates has a season-problem: In winter, when most heating is needed, least is available from the sun. This can often be solved by storing solar heat in the ground or in groundwater.
What is meant by Passive System?
A special type of passive system is the Integrated Collector Storage (ICS or Batch Heater) where the tank acts as both storage and solar collector. Batch heaters are basically thin rectilinear tanks with glass in front of it generally in or on house wall or roof. They are seldom pressurised and usually depend on gravity flow to deliver their water. They are simple, efficient and less costly than plate and tube collectors but are only suitable in moderate climates with good sunshine. A step up from the ICS is the Convection Heat Storage unit (CHS or thermosiphon). These are often plate type or evacuated tube collectors with built-in insulated tanks. The unit uses convection (movement of hot water upward) to move the water from collector to tank. Neither pumps nor electricity are used to enforce circulation. It is more efficient than an ICS as the collector heats a small(er) amount of water that constantly rises back to the tank. It can be used in areas with less sunshine than the ICS. An CHS also known as a compact system or monobloc has a tank for the heated water and a solar collector mounted on the same chassis. Typically these systems will function by natural convection or heat pipes to transfer the heat energy from the collector to the tank.
Direct (‘open loop’) passive systems use water from the main household water supply to circulate between the collector and the storage tank. When the water in the collector becomes warm, convection causes it to rise and flow towards the water storage tank. They are often not suitable for cold climates since, at night, the water in the collector can freeze and damage the panels.
Indirect (‘closed loop’) passive systems use a non-toxic antifreeze heat transfer fluid (HTF) in the collector. When this fluid is heated, convection causes it to flow to the tank where a passive heat exchanger transfers the heat of the HCF to the water in the tank.
The attraction of passive solar water heating systems lies in their simplicity. There are no mechanical or electrical parts that can break or that require regular supervision or maintenance. Consequently the maintenance of a passive system is simple and cheap. The efficiency of a passive system is often somewhat lower than that of an active system and overheating is largely avoided by the inherent design of a passive system.
Home Installations – What to think about
As a homeowner, there are a few important considerations which can help you choose the right sized and temperature system to meet your needs.
Sizing of system : 50; 65; 80 gallon
System sizing is based on your lifestyle and the facilities for hot water. An average traditional home may have showers only, and can consist of 4 persons in the family, each person requiring about 15 gallons. So a 65 gallon system @135 degrees F would be recommended.
The public is advised that all our Tanks and Collectors are processed to ensure that the quality which a customer orders is delivered. Specifically, products produced reflect the following protocol:
– Size of family
– Type of facilities
– Type of roof
– Best location to fit system facing south or west (never east or north).
Hot Water Usage
Hot water usage may fall into three categories:
Conservative user: 15 gallons per person in the household
Average user: 20 gallons per person in the household
Generous user: 25 gallons per person in the household
Spa use: A volume of 50% of the capacity of a spa pool needs to be added where a spa is installed, to ensure an exhilarating experience.
Why does the capacity need to be larger than an electric storage heater?
Unlike a gas or an electrical water heater, the cumulative volume of hot water required for use in the evening and the morning following, needs to be generated and be in storage by 5.00 p.m. The typical electric water heater is capable of reheating its rated storage capacity every hour. Therefore a 30 gallon electric water heater can deliver 30 gals x 24 times in a day/night cycle.
Stop Valve Location
The homeowner should be aware of the location of the stop valve to the water heater. A stop cock or gate valve is required on the cold line to, as well as the hot line from, the solar hot water system. These valves should be located inside the home and be accessible.water heater can deliver 30 gals x 24 times in a day/night cycle.
The back- up electrical booster
An electrical immersion element is fitted to each solar hot water storage tank, together with a temperature control thermostat, to provide hot water when the stored solar heated water is depleted. This could happen when there is prolonged inclement weather. When the booster switch is activated, the system will function as an electric water heater. This is intended for use only in prolonged inclement weather conditions, and as an emergency measure only.
The use of the booster should be limited to 4 to 5 times a year only. If you are finding it necessary to use the booster frequently, or to leave it in the “on” position in order to get hot water, then the solar hot water system is not functioning as it is meant to.