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Solar Thermal SystemsActive solar thermal systems collect radiant heat energy from the sun, usually using water or a non-toxic glycol solution, though air is another option. This heat can then be stored for later use, or transferred directly to an existing heating system, be it for hot water or space heating. Glycol Closed Loop Solar Thermal Systems
1/6. temperature sensor 2. air vent 3. wiring to the differential controller 4. circulating pump 5/7/16. - pressure relief valve 8. temperature gauge 9. tempering valve 10. hot water output 11. cold water input 12. the tempering valve ensures water is never too hot 13. by-pass valve 14. check valve 15. cold water input to solar panel 17. flat solar panel (collector) 18. existing hot water heater 19. storage tank with heat exchanger 20. temperature differential controller 21. pressure gauge 22. expansion tank Closed loop glycol systems are often used where freezing temperatures are very common. Overheating during summer months can be an issue if the hot water produced by the system is not used, such as during extended summer vacations. A simple bypass of the check valve is sometime used, to allow the hot water to circulate into the solar collector at night and release heat (cool). The circulating pump that is used in this system, must permit the reverse flow to take place. Drainback Solar Thermal Systems
1/6. pressure relief valve 2/15. temperature sensors 3. solar panel (collector) 4. mixing valve 5. temperature gauge 7. flow meter 8. pump - to storage tank 9. heating element (back-up) 10. differential solar controller 11. existing hot water tank 12. heat exchanger 13. pump - to solar panel 14. water reservoir - flows into panel when in use and sits in tank during drainback
Drainback solar thermal systems can be cheaper to install but it is extremely important to ensure the system completely drains, if you are in a climate that experiences freezing temperatures. In addition, a controller failure, which causes water to be pumped into a freezing solar panel, can be very expensive.
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