SolarRoofs System 3, 20 Sq.Ft. Collectors, No Tank

SolarRoofs Skyline System 3
Temperate "Open Loop" Solar Water Heating System
(Recirculation Freeze Protection for Light Freeze Temperatures down to 30°F)

These innovative Solar Hot Water Collectors have appeared on ABC’s Extreme Makeover – Home Edition, History Channel’s Modern Marvels and Discovery Channel’s WASTED! Lighter and easier to install than any other system!

System 3 - Open Loop SRCC OG-300 Certified

(Light Freeze Protection)

Use your own 50-gallon tank! SolarRoofs Skyline System 3 is an open loop system for places that rarely, if ever, see freezing temperatures.  In an open loop system potable water is circulated directly through the collectors.  In freezing temperatures the water would freeze, not only blocking circulation, but probably bursting the collectors' tubing.  In regions where light freezes are possible the systems are protected two ways: fitted with a dribble valve that will drain the collector of all fluids as temperatures approach freezing, and also they recirculate a small amount of warm water from the hot water storage tank to prevent freezing.  In regions where hard freezes are likely, these open loop systems are NOT recommended, and you should consider the SolarRoofs Skyline System 5!

SolarRoofs Skyline System 3 consists of the following components:

• One to three 20-01 Collectors or one to six 10-01 Collectors with standard mounting rails (substitution: two 10-01 collectors for any one 20-01 Collector in any system)
• Standard trim color is Musket Brown, free option is Medium Gray
• PV Panel and Circulation Pump with mounting hardware and 25' of wire.
• 50' of 1/2" OD Copper tubing with Brass Compression tube connections and Flashing.
• 10 to 20 Watt PV Panel Including mounting hardware and wire.
• Complete collector install kit including mounting rails.
• Mixing Valve to protect from high solar water temperatures.
• Tank "Easy Connect" Kit (to existing or added tank) with shut off, drain valves, and Floating Check Valve. (Bottom connect is standard, top connect (TC02) is available for $30.00 extra charge).
• 2 thermometers, pump switch or optional Recirculation switch box with diodes.
• Collector Pressure Relief Valve with splash guard and Air Vent.
• 6' sample section of high temperature outside insulation.
• Install Kit full installation instructions and Owners Manual.
• Optional Freeze Valve.
• Optional Transformer Recirculation
• Note: These systems do NOT include a storage tank - they can be connected to your existing 50-gallon hot water tank in most cases!

See the Installation Manual for System 3 in PDF format in the Product Documentation section above for detailed information.

General Sizing Guidelines:

Systems should be sized to have a minimum of 1 gallon of storage per sq. / ft. of collector area, more in hot climates. One 10-01 collector is good for situations such as campers, boats, cabins or as a start to energy independence at home.

To supply 65% to 85% of the hot water needs from solar for residential applications in warm climates the following is recommended: Two 10-01 collectors, or one 20-01 collector for the first person, and one additional 10-01 collector per person or one 20-01 for every 2 people.

In cloudy and/or cold areas where a heat exchanger is needed, start with four 10-01 collectors, or two 20-01 and one 10-01 per additional person or one 20-01 per additional one or two people. Example: A family of four in New England should have either six 10-01 or three 20-01 collectors.

--> 40 square feet of collector area is used most in sunnier areas like California and most all middle and southern colder states.

--> 60 square feet of collector area is used most in colder areas like New England, Colorado and all northern states.

MATERIALS AND TOOLS NEEDED TO HAVE ON HAND FOR INSTALLATION:

100% of the solar loop copper and brass parts, needed for the average solar loop, are supplied!

Aside from the Tempering valve, no water side fittings are supplied unless one of the optional top connect Tempering Valve Options, TC04 or MVT2, are ordered.

• Additional  ½” OD soft copper and 2 compression unions if run is over 25'.  
• Insulation
• Solar Loop: 1/2" or 5/8” ID x ½” wall x 6’ lengths Rubatex or equal hi-temp elastomeric tubular pipe insulation, enough to cover all solar loop tubes.
• Water side: 7/8" ID x 1/2" wall by 6' lengths, standard insulation for all hot water lines and 3' of cold line from water heater.
• Standard water side copper tubes and fittings, usually 3/4" copper, for all water side plumbing.
• One 2” wide roll aluminum foil duct tape to cover outside insulation
• One tube high-quality polyurethane sealant
• Two spools 1/2" wide Teflon tape
• 100 black UV-resistant 11” plastic tie wraps
• One 20’ min. roll plumbers tape, one box short drywall screws
• Ten ½” self-tapping screws, 4 roofing nails
• Medium gray or chocolate brown spray paint to paint insulation and trim rails.

TOOLS REQUIRED:

• Ladder(s) suitable for accessing roof and attic
• Basic Tool Kit with hammer, screwdriver set, metal shears, hack saw, pliers, wire stripper, wire cutter, etc.
• If soldering is needed, Plumbers Tool Kit with gas torch, lighter, 95/5 solder, min. ¾” tubing cutters, tubing cleaners, strips of emery cloth, quality flux with brushes, etc.
• Wrench Set including two 18”+ Monkey wrenches, 2 large adjustable crescent wrenches, vice grip
• Powerful variable speed battery drill or electric drill with extension cords
• Drill Bit Set including 1½” wood bit or hole saw
• Drill compatable Socket Set including ratchet, 6” extension, 7/16” socket, 5/16” and ¼” nut drivers
• Magnetic compass, level, caulking gun, tape measure, chalk line, marking pencil, crayon or chalk