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 Beauty and fashion, health updates, pets, gadgets Hands On DIY - Helpful hints for around the house Solar hot water - the facts There are two types of solar panel. One type will generate electricity, while the other is used to heat water. The water heating types cost less, yet use far more of the sun’s free energy. These are the ones we are concentrating on in this week’s DIY page.  As the sun shines on the collector, the water inside the panel is heated. As it heats, this water expands slightly and becomes lighter than the cold water in the solar storage tank mounted above the panel. Gravity then pulls heavier, cold water down from the tank and into the panel inlet. The cold water pushes the heated water through the collector outlet and into the top of the tank, thus heating the water in the tank. A heat exchanger coil in the storage tank transfers heat from the hot water to the water in the solar storage tank (Pic 2) shows Robert, on a fact-finding mission to the Constante Solar (Pic 3) shows the factory in Santa Cruz where the systems are assembled, using state-of-the-art technology. The absorber plate is crucial to the operation of the solar panel. Absorber plates have a black surface which is constructed of aluminum or copper (more reliable and longer life span than aluminum). Robert recommends the copper version, shown here, although it is slightly more expensive. The striking blue Constante panel in the picture has been coated with a material which absorbs as much heat from the sun as possible, but lets very little escape. Hot water moves from the plate to the hot water storage tank through a system of copper tubing containing a fluid (either water, or a glycol solution). The solar panel also requires a heat resistant material or insulation. This is used to keep heat from escaping through the back of the panel. The whole thing is encased in glass or plastic to furtherincrease the heat retention, using the greenhouse effect. Constante uses special glass which allows as much heat as possible to enter the unit. Solar panels are mounted either on the roof of a building or on the ground close by. They absorb energy from the sun, even on cloudy days. The size of the panels depends on how much hot water is needed daily. In order to absorb the most amount of the sun’s energy, solar panels have to be installed at a certain angle, depending on the geographical latitude of the home, and placed on the south-side of the roof. If you do not have roof space, or don’t want panels on your roof, Constante have a novel solution. The array of panels in the picture can be fitted to a wall. How long will it take to recover the cost of an installation? This depends on several factors. Obviously, if you install it yourself it will cost less. If your house is pre-plumbed for solar, the initial costs will be reduced. Where you live and how much sun you get is also a factor, although the panels are very effective, even on cloudy days. It is generally accepted that this type of system will pay for itself in three to four years. A system can last for over twenty years with very little maintenance. If you would like any further information on solar hot water or are interested in installing a system in your house, Robert can help you, either with supplying a system, helping you to carry out your own installation, or installing it for you. He is also happy to answer any other DIY questions you may have. You can contact Robert on 922 814073, mobile 605 469352 or email rjmcalees@yahoo.com This article appears in the print edition 607 of Island Connections
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