Solar Water Heaters

What is a Solar Water Heater?

Solar water heaters use the solar energy from the sun to generate heat (not electricity) which can then be used to heat water for showering, space heating, industrial processes or even solar cooling. 

Solar energy is the primary energy source for our planet as it is responsible for providing energy for plant growth (photosythesis) and providing the warmth that makes our planet habitable. 

While solar water heater devices have been around for over 100 years, the last 20 years have seen significant advances in absorber coating technologies, resulting in solar collectors that can reliably convert >50% of available sunlight for domestic hot water supply.  A solar water heater is one of the most effective ways of cutting a household's carbon footprint by reducing reliance on dirty fossil fuel usage. By offsetting the use of electricity, gas or heating oil, using solar water heaters can also provide financial savings by reducing energy costs.

Apricus Solar Water Heaters

Apricus offers two types of Solar Collectors for use in a Solar Water Heater systems

Evacuated Tube Collectors combine the high efficiency performance of evacuated tubes with rapid heat transfer capacity of heat pipes to provide a collector that can operate efficiently in almost any climate providing hot water for residential or commercial solar water heating projects.  

For more information about Apricus AP evacuated tube collectors, click here. 

Flat Plate Collectors offer a reliable supply of solar hot water for residential and commercial applications where evacuated tubes may not be suitable.  

For more information about Apricus flat plate collectors, click here. 

Flat Plate vs Evacuated Tubes

How to choose between a Flat Plate or Evacuate Tube collector?  Below is a simple table to provide a general comparison.  Additional factors may be present, and ultimately your local solar professional can help choose what will provide the best value for money and energy savings for your application.