You Need a Southern Orientation Space for Solar Collectors:

Because the sun rises in the East, crosses over the horizon on the South and sets in the West, you want your collector to face as much to True South on your roof as possible. This is especially true for space heating where you need to be within 15 degrees of True South.

Up to 45 degrees East or West of true South has very little effect on year round domestic water heating. While less desirable, a West or even an East facing water heating system can work well especially with an additional collector. Orientations over 45 degrees, such as a home with a North, South ridgeline can tilt the collectors South with a SolarRoofs tilt kit.

While most collectors are mounted on the roof, many have been mounted on the ground, or like an awning on the side of the house.  Verticle mounting of collectors on the south roof is great for space heating.

Naturally it is important that there not be any shading where the collectors will go!

You Need a Good Collector Tilt:

The collector angle (known as tilt) should be at least 15 degrees up from horizontal, (a typical roof angle is 22 to 32 degrees) additional tilt usually  has little effect on total year round performance unless you are in an area with very sunny winters like Colorado. 

A tilt angle equal to latitude is considered ideal for space heating.  Because the winter sun is so low in the sky, great results have been obtained by having collectors flush on a vertical wall for space heating, which also prevents summer overheating.

You Need Space for Solar Collectors:

SolarRoofs “Skyline” 10-01 and 20-01 Solar Collectors: These rugged, powerful 10 and 20 Square foot collectors weigh only 19 and 38 pounds. They are easy to carry by one person and are much safer to get on the roof to install.  They are available in architectural colors and have an attractive appearance on the roof.  No soldering is required to install the collector (s).

The Skyline 10-01 collector weighs 19 pounds and

measures 6' long x 20" wide by 3' thick. The feed and return are at one end. They have a 2" space between them and up to 6, 10-01 collectors can be stacked one above the other or up to 12 in a stacked, side by side configuration.  These are the ideal, easy to install, light weight collector.

See 10-01 Collector Details

The Skyline 20-01 collector weighs 38 pounds and

measures 12' long x 20" wide by 3' thick. The feed and

return are at one end. They have a 2" space between them

and up to 4, 10-01 collectors can be stacked one above

the other or up to 8 in a stacked, side by side configuration.

20-01 collectors have custom options feed through and turnaround collectors extending up to 60' with one feed

and return.  They are ideal for commercial applications.

See 20-01 Collector Details

You need to know the right System Type for your area:

"Open Loops" Systems 1, 2 or 3 are for or Tropical Climate (GREEN)

or Temperate Climate (ORANGE)

With these systems the solar loop is open to water pressure. These systems are excellent where there is anywhere from no freeze potential to where there is light freeze potential when used with Temperate Climate freeze protection options.

"Closed Loop" Systems 4 and 5 are for Freeze Climates (RED)

The solar loop is separated from water pressure by a heat exchanger. These systems are not subject to freeze damage when properly installed. Can be used in hard freeze areas if drained in freeze.

Use the following "FREEZE" guide to determine the right system for

your area and then see sizing your system:

NO FREEZE: (Green = No Freeze)  

For use in areas not ever subject to temperatures below 45 F (tropical),

use system 1, 2 or 3.

This system is ideal for Hawaii, islands and other tropical areas.

Summer homes or camps in areas subject to hard freeze conditions in winter, but not used in winter can use system 1, 2 or 3, as long as the solar water loop is drained before freeze conditions occur. The solar loop is designed to be easily bypassed, drained and the lines "blown out".

VERY LIGHT FREEZE: (Orange = Very Light or Light Freeze)

In areas subject to rare and light freeze conditions (South Florida, Southern CA, rare temperatures not below 30 degrees F) use system 1, 2 or 3 with the FV01, Passive Freeze Valve option. Solar panels can freeze by nocturnal cooling in temperatures as high as 40F!

LIGHT FREEZE:

In areas subject to a few light freezes per winter and occasional temperatures as low as 20 degrees F (Central Florida, Southern CA, some areas of Arizona etc.), use systems 1, 2 or 3 with the FV01 Passive Freeze Valve and FS02 or FS03 "Recirculation Freeze Protection."

For Systems 1, 2, and 3, the standard, easy to make, installation connections are all made at the bottom of your tank. Simply drain the water out of the tank, remove the bottom drain, insert the connection components in its place and tighten.

You will need enough room around the front area of the tank to allow for the installation of components, usually 8 inches is enough.

If there is not enough room, a "top connect" kit is available. Freeze damage of any kind is not covered by Warranty.

In areas subject to hard freeze conditions, use system 4 or 5, with a Rheem / Rudd heat exchanger tank, provide positive freeze protection (all areas subject to temperatures below 30 degrees F). The Rheem 80 gallon tank is 24" in diameter and the Rheem 120 gallon tank is 28" in diameter.

The Rheem / Rudd heat exchanger tank, the "Power Rod" and the "Hot Rod" all use Non-Toxic antifreeze in a separate "closed solar loop" separated from potable water by 2 metal walls called a "double wall."

  Sizing Your System:

Note: Smaller system providing as little as 30% of your hot water can be very efficient and cost effective! If the budget is tight, consider getting a smaller system. More panels can be added later. The important thing is to take that important first step to go solar!

General Sizing Guidelines:

Systems 1, 2 and 3: For 75 to 90% coverage in warmer, sunny areas, use two 10-01 collectors or one 20-01 collector (20 square feet) for each two to three people in the household. For example, a family of 4 should have four 10-01 collectors or two 20-01 collector (40 square feet).

Systems 4 and 5: For 60 to 70% coverage in areas subject to hard freeze and a lot of clouds, start with four 10-01 or two 20-01 collectors for the first two people and then two 10-01 collectors or one 20-01 collector for every additional two people. For example, a family of 4 should have six 10-01 collectors or three 20-01 collector (60 square feet).

Storage:

TROPICAL AND TEMPERATE SYSTEMS: You may be able to use your existing electric water heater or, for open loop systems 1, 2 and 3, or you can add a low cost water heater for solar storage to your existing water heater.

You need at least 1 gallon of storage for each square foot of collector area. It is desirable that your storage tank be at least 50 gallons of storage for up to 40 square feet of collector area, although a 40 gallon water heater can work well with up to 30 square feet of collector area. Generally, the larger the water heater the better, up to 2.5 gallons per square foot of collector area in sunny areas.

FREEZE PROTECTED SYSTEMS: Systems 4 and 5 use an excellent Rheem / Rudd or Richmond (all the same manufacturer) 80 Gallon Storage tank with a very efficient 120' "wrap around" heat exchanger.

For a closed loop using an existing tank or added standard tank, an optional system 4 "POWER ROD" external heat exchanger uses a second pump for the domestic water loop and a "Quick Connect," similar to those used on the open loop systems, for the tank connection.

Also under System 4, The Exciting “HotRod” solar water heater features the Butler Sun Systems “Wand” heat exchanger which fits in most existing or added standard water heaters. The system includes 40 square feet of collector area, the exclusive Butler Wand.

See: Tanks and Tankless

Photovoltaic Powered Pumps = 100% RUN BY THE SUN!

SRCC OG300 Rated systems 3 and 5 are powered by Photovoltaic Pumps (Circulators). They cost a little more but it is nice to know that your system operates 100% by the sun, and not be effected by power outages. PV is sometimes easier to install as it eliminates the need for a nearby 110 Volt power outlet. PV power is available as an option on systems 1 and the System 4 Power Rod.

Questions?  Please give us a call at:

888-801-9060

 or Email us at: Info@SolarRoofs.com