Solar Energy

Solar Water Heater

Solar Heating
Solar Electricity
Solar Water Heaters
Solar Panels

Solar Water Heaters

Solar water heaters—also called solar domestic hot water systems—can be a cost-effective way to generate hot water for your home. They can be used in any climate, and the fuel they use—sunshine—is free.
Solar water heating systems include storage tanks and solar collectors. Most solar water heaters require a well-insulated storage tank. Solar storage tanks have an additional outlet and inlet connected to and from the collector. In two-tank systems, the solar water heater preheats water before it enters the conventional water heater. In one-tank systems, the back-up heater is combined with the solar storage in one tank.

There are two types of active solar water heating systems:

Direct circulation systems - Pumps circulate household water through the collectors and into the home. They work well in climates where it rarely freezes.
Indirect circulation systems - Pumps circulate a non-freezing, heat-transfer fluid through the collectors and a heat exchanger. This heats the water that then flows into the home. They are popular in climates prone to freezing temperatures.