Product Category

Collector Installation Guide

Before installing a solar water heating system, the direction, angle and location of the solar collector on the house must be determined.  The most fundamental requirement is exposing the solar collector to the most sunlight possible each day and throughout the year. 

The following video provides a clear overview of the operation of a solar system and basic Installation guidelines as covered in more detail below on this page
 
Before installing a solar water heating system, the direction, angle and location of the solar collector on the house must be determined.  The most fundamental requirement is exposing the solar collector to the most sunlight possible each day and throughout the year. 

The following video provides a clear overview of the operation of a solar system and basic Installation guidelines as covered in more detail below on this page


 

Installation Angle

Solar thermal collectors need to face the sun to obtain maximum sunlight exposure.  The installation angle should be equal to or up to 15o higher than the latitude of the location.  This angle ensures optimal heat output throughout the year.  Depending on the application, higher or lower installation angles may be more suitable as determined by the solar professional designing and installing the system. 

The diagram below shows the path of the sun throughout the sky, cycling from low in the sky in the winter, to high in the sky during the summer.

collector-direction-sun


Direction

Solar collectors should face as close as possible to the equator, which is the direction of the midday sun. Based on needing to face the equator, this means that in the northern hemisphere the collector should face south, in the southern hemisphere the collector should face north. 

It may not always be possible to mount the collector due north/south, and so 45o east or west is acceptable and will not reduce collector output too much. Facing the collector more easterly will increase morning sunlight exposure, westerly will increase afternoon sunlight exposure. Pointing further away from the equator direction will reduce daily output and so a larger solar system may be required. This should be considered by the system designer or installer when sizing the system.


AP_collector_direction


The diagram above shows the approximate losses in output for solar collectors when installed at angles off equator pointing. 

To understand more about collector efficiency, click here.  

 

 

Collector Position

The solar collector position greatly depends on the design of the building. While adhering to the goal of facing the equator, there are many options for the collector location, as shown in the diagram below. 

Apricus-collector-roof-layout


The collectors can be roof mounted, wall mounted or even ground mounted as shown in the diagram above.  This is possible for both Apricus evacuated tube (black coloured) and Apricus flat plate (blue coloured) panels.

 

Key considerations for position are:
  • Distance to the storage tank:  A shorter pipe run will reduce the cost of the installation, heat loss and pump energy usage. 
  • Shading:  Trees, neighbouring buildings, chimneys etc that may cast a shadow on the collector between 10am and 2pm when most of the solar radiation is provided.  


Apricus-quality-installerQuality Workmanship

The most important part of the installation of any solar collector is an experienced, professional installer.  Apricus offers comprehensive training programs to ensure installers understand the Apricus product and do a quality job the first time.  

 
If an Apricus system is installed poorly we want to know about it!  Please contact us so we can follow up. 










Check out the video below to see an installation in action.
Founded in 2003 by Australian Mick Humphreys with a specific focus on solar thermal solutions, Apricus has since grown into a global company with distribution and support offices worldwide. 

QUICK LINKS

CONTACT US

19 Pu Si Road, Pukou New and High Tech Development Zone, Nanjing, China, 210061
 Ph: +86 25 58649133     
 Fax: +86 25 58648103
 Email: service@apricus.com
Leave a Message
Inquiry

Copyright © 2020 Apricus Solar Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

苏ICP备2022032445号-1
Designed by Leadong.