Solar Hot Water Panel Installation

Posted by Tony Ratcliffe on September 13, 2009, 09:45:57 AM

Solar Hot Water Panel Installation
I live in Michigan. Should I install 2 evacuated tube collectors, in series or parallel? Shouldn't I get hotter water from a series installation, therefore greater Temp. Diff. at the heat exchanger? Does that equal more heat/better efficiency? I know this is simply Thermodynamics but I would like to hear from the voices of experience. Any help/thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
TR
 

Posted by Dennis M on September 13, 2009, 10:43:17 AM

Re: Solar Hot Water Panel Installation (Reply #1)
Hi Tony,
The lower over all temperature that you work in the more efficient the system will be. You will have less heat loss and the higher the temperature the panels run at, the less efficient they are. Also you may run into problems with super heating your exchange media on good collection days. I would parallel your panels. Best of luck!
Regards,
Dennis
 

Posted by Thomas Anderson on September 13, 2009, 03:47:57 PM

Re: Solar Hot Water Panel Installation (Reply #2)
If your water is moving at a high enough flow rate to capture the heat, it shouldn't matter which configuration you use.  If you parallel them, then the flow will be split and move half as much heat out of each one.  In series, it moves the heat out faster.  The end result should be the same either way.
« Last Edit: September 14, 2009, 11:38:07 AM by Thomas Anderson »
 

Posted by Thomas Allen Schmidt on September 14, 2009, 05:35:16 AM

Re: Solar Hot Water Panel Installation (Reply #3)
I would agree with Dennis M. and Thomas A. but would also argue the point that, its not right for someone to suggest what you could or couldn't do with your Trendsetters based on information from just a quickly typed letter in a public forum. That would be like describing the world to someone else while looking through a straw. Forgive me for bring so critical Tony R.

So much depends on the specific applications as well as site specifics.

Obviously, two in series, could very well produce hotter mean temperatures on certain winter days and most assuredly produce too hot of mean temperature on certain summer days. (a matter of perspective) But! If there is a use for those hotter mean temperatures during the summer such as a pool, or steam sauna then its not really wasted. Even if these do not exist, there are ways to shade the collector during summer months. It could be plumbed with bypass making it either or. Where your panels will be mounted, may or may not be ideal. Specifics.

"Iron rusts from disuse, stagnant water loses its purity and in cold weather becomes frozen; even so does inaction sap the vigors of the mind."
Leonardo Da Vinci
 

Posted by Tom Mayrand on September 16, 2009, 12:11:50 PM

Re: Solar Hot Water Panel Installation (Reply #4)
Tony, most SHW system panels are installed in parallel. The only exception is usually those panels that are serpentine in construction. Flat plates, though they look like they are in series, are installed in paralel. The bottom headers are attached in series as well as the top, but the water flow is in parallel through each collector.
 Alternatively, this is a question that requires some thought when using evacs. Since the feed and return are at the same level, and the volume of water being heating is much smaller than the average flat plate, it may make sense to install them in series, depending on the radiation they receive and the temp. output you are getting.....
 
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