How does a Flat Panel Solar Water Heater Work? (Indirect System Explained)

[@calebirabor4338]

Nice breakdown with pictorial descriptions, too. Clear accent, calm speech, no lenghty and boring details. Just head on. Great works bro. Greetings from Nigeria.

[@sergiodacruz9167]

Thanks, Excellent. One of the best instruction videos I have ever seen.🙂🙂🙂

[@misottovoce]

Finally clear and useful explanation. I wondered about this technology. We have this system since a few years and are happy with it so far. Greetings from Spain and thank you!

[@PropertyNoma]

You're welcome

[@joeybidster]

@@PropertyNoma ha the same! thanks again :)

[@Scifiotica]

Thank you. I’m not in Kenya but your clear explanation makes it easy to understand how these systems work.

[@edcammarata6430]

Many yrs ago I made my own solar hot water heater is was very effective and was a simple system and worked trouble free for 15yrs till I moved. It was a nasa design, it consisted of two 40gal Off the shelf water tanks that worked in series.one tank was the preheat water for the final tank then was plugged into 117vac wall socket and set for 140f the first tank was connected to a home made collector. The size of the collector box was that of a sliding Glass door. I bought a used sliding for 15$ and used that as my Glass lens .since it was already in the aluminum frame that it came With I drilled holes in the frame and mounted it to a pressure treated 2 by 6’s box the size of the sliding glass door. The bottom of the box I used 3/4” pressure treated plywood . Inside the box I put Polyurethane form 2” fhick on the sides 1” thick. The collector Was 1/2” copper tubing. I took old industrial shelving panels And screwed them togeather and sized to fit the inside of the Box. I laced the copper tubing on top of the shelves . I soldered 90 elbows on th ends to make return to the other side. I did this To fill in the intire planet plate I made. I then put 1/2 copper pipe Clamps about every 6” and screwed them to the plate for better heat transfer. I then bought a gal.of electrone black epoxy used For potting electronics. I poured into the area where the pipe meat the plate so as to create a fillet between the pipe and the plate. In then black engine spay paint crinkle finish .the crinkle Finish I thought to improve siurface area. I then mounted a thermistor to the plate. I then plumed it thru the roof to the first 40 gal tank in one line going to that tank I put in a motorized Check valve the other line a off the shelf magnetic water pump 117vac about 0.3 amps. I made a simple differential amp circuit I made one side of the op amp with two resistors the other side of The op amp was thermistor and a resister. I set the differential So as to when the solar plate was 9*f Hotter then water tank the circuit turned on a relay to open the the check valve and start the pump Then check valve was put in to stop thermo siphoning. Results 139 to 144 f on a normal day in Ft. Lauderdale fl. No failures ever cost savings 40$ mo. This was in early 1980 Time. All this was done in my garage with just simple tools That most people have mybe that 3 to four week ends to Complete. It is so reliable and extremely efficient over 90 Percent . If I were to do another one I woud use soft copper Tubing eliminates elbows and soldering .

[@PropertyNoma]

Thanks for sharing Ed

[@edcammarata6430]

Your welcome sir. I still remember the first time it turned on I had my hand on Thr return pipe from the collector and when it turned hot it was a big thrill that I'll never for get. Two other neighbors the copied my system. I'm now 80 and as I look at this system it should be mass produced. Itscheap And very efficient that pretty much and handy man can do It way more effective then solor cells with are only 15 to 20

[@IreneWahinya]

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing

[@TheUnknown-rs5el]

Thanks, buddy! This is a very helpful video, as there are not many videos regarding the conventional flat panel solar water heater.

[@PropertyNoma]

You're welcome

[@RedondoBeach2]

@@PropertyNoma Can you please read the most recent comment for this video and help answer the questions I have in that comment? Thank you for your guidance and for making this video.

[@vbrenavikar8438]

Thanks for sharing such a fully explained VDO. Very Nice VDO. Best Wishes to you & your team, Sir !!

[@bvmokaya]

Thank you for sharing. Your videos are very informative and simple considering how technical this subject is. More? 😊

[@PropertyNoma]

Thanks Ben for your kind words. More to come for sure

[@ObilorKelechi-s9i]

Thanks for your explanations sir. What I really want to get much cleared about is if there's is no any connections of cables between the solar panels and the water heater tank

[@RichardWaruhiu]

Very good video. What is the wattage of the electrical immersion heater?

[@themichelle4551]

You explained it so well!

[@NickVass1000]

This is a very good explanation

[@sharonchepkemoi8198]

I'm amazed at Kenyans,,,we've got so much talent,,and we have a very ideal climate,,,people should not be using electricity during the hot seasons

[@MartineTaigaJoy]

Really well explained, thank you! Question: does the system needs to have any kind of slope? We recently had to move our system and the slope is now way less than it used to be; I am wondering if this is why we now get only very little hot water, as one technician suggested. I am in northern Kenya and there is a lot of sun,; the water was usually boiling hot. Now, just a little hot. Another question, as we had to replace the glycol solution when we reinstalled; how much propylene glycol is typically use in a 1 panel 200 litres tank? One technician said around 30 litres, but the technician who came to do the work used less than 20 litres and said the system is full. Looking forward to your answers, and once again, thanks for the very informative video!

[@felicityc8070]

Thank you for such a very informative video!

[@PropertyNoma]

You're welcome

[@JRGGG]

Thank you so much!! good video!

[@techpiton]

A point of correction. It is the water-glycol mixture that flows inside the stainless steel pipes. The designers want the tank filled with domestic use water (for use at night) not glycol water.

[@PropertyNoma]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@primozkerin]

This does not make sense, it would mean you would get water-glycol mixture to your tap inside a house? Water-glycol mixture is in the tank circulating and regular water flows through the spiral like shown in video? Or did I misunderstood you?

[@pascalbruyere7108]

Very clear explanation.

[@PropertyNoma]

Thanks Pascal

[@fredrik-ekelund]

Excellent explanation as always. Thanks!

[@PowerPointBasics]

Thanks for such a wonderful video! You are the best🔥

[@timbookedtwo2375]

We have this kind of hot water system installed on our house in Greece. Actually, the system is ground mounted. We have plenty of hot water. Even in winter, when the sun shines. We have not used the auxiliary electric heater since the system was installed. This kind of hot water heater is not expensive. One possible drawback is that the temperature of the hot water cannot be controlled. So be careful in the shower. The water can be very hot! It is a comparatively simple system. If you live i a sunny climate his may be an alernative to using gas or electric hot water heaters.

[@PropertyNoma]

Wow, thanks for sharing your wonderful information. I'll be sure to be careful with this system from now on.

[@dougmaus4468]

Well explained!

[@ODONGOBLASIO-uq5uk]

Can it be connected from left or right

[@johniemos4959]

Nice video! I would like to see how the 2 loops look inside the tank and the heat exchange taking place, to understand better the phenomenon

[@PropertyNoma]

I would also love to see the heat exchange phenomenon but sadly I didn't get the chance

[@RCUFOinterceptor]

Can water tank in level with panels. Or must stay under panels?

[@R2BMusicCH]

Very informative. I have seen them all over Kenya but always wondered how they work. My question is how much energy it costs to pump water up the roof as opposed to an electric water heater. I would suspect it's still less since electric water heaters lose heat through the air while the solar heater is a closed system. Heat is constantly regenerated from solar irradiation. It would be interesting to know how solar water heaters compare with PV panels on a cloudy or rainy day in terms of power output.

[@PropertyNoma]

I think so too that it costs less to pump water than to heat water using electricity

[@CalmAnt-gr1wg]

In case of back flow wats the solution

[@dennismuigai8065]

Hi , how infective is this system, secondly up to what temperatures can this water heater by glycol and water mixture reach

[@PropertyNoma]

It's effective. It can reach temp of 60C due to thermal regulation of the system

[@randomdudr]

@@PropertyNoma if there's no thermal regulation can it boil water? Thanks

[@wondermachingura]

Thanks for explaining clearly

[@granville24la9]

thanks for the info, I've been trying to figure out this type now I can install with out the help of a manual..👍⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@IreneWahinya]

Good info thanks for sharing

[@dominperca]

Can I use just water in the flat panel closed loop if I'm in a tropical country instead of Glycol and Water Mix?

[@PropertyNoma]

It's possible. It's called a direct loop

[@RCUFOinterceptor]

How to input water in panel system?

[@reubenmburu902]

Hi, nick.when I come to kenya in January next year, I will contact you.

[@PropertyNoma]

When that day comes my email: [e-mail]

[@determinationchihlengwe2828]

How is the water separated from the glycol after heating if l may ask ?

[@PropertyNoma]

Water for the house isn't in direct contact with glycol. The glycol-water mixture is the one that gets heated by the sun and transfers that heat to the water that will be used in the house.

[@jordiswartz6775]

Brilliant Video, thank you so much !!

[@PropertyNoma]

You're welcome

[@jacksonnjuguna2698]

great work

[@audreystewart3019]

Very nice video. Thanks. Even a solar dummy like me understood it. Do you ship to the United States. And how much would it cost for the whole set up?

[@PropertyNoma]

You're welcome though currently I'm not selling any solar water heaters.

[@simonmurimi9856]

Good explanations

[@PropertyNoma]

Thanks

[@jeremiahmwangi4893]

Good info

[@ChonaphyGeorge]

How to connect it

[@RedondoBeach2]

Hello. Can you or any expert reading this, please help me understand the construction of flat panel solar water panels constructed in the early 1980s? I need to remove flat panel solar water heater collectors from a roof that were installed in 1983. This style of flat panel water heaters did not have water tanks installed on the roof, above the flat panels. Only the flat panels are installed on the roof, and a water tank is inside the garage. The water tank is already disconnected. However, due to my unfamiliarity with panels that were manufactured 40 years ago, I do not know what type of hazards I need to be aware of with these panels and how I need to possibly plan to remove them from the roof. For example, when this old style of panel was in production, was glycol used within the flat panels? Are the water tubes under the black metal sheet in this older style of panel made of copper or are they possibly glass? Is there a recommended way for lowering these from the roof without dropping them on the ground? I am working alone and trying to develop a plan to remove the panels by myself. Is it okay to cut the panel into smaller pieces while it's on the roof, with a circular saw with a metal cutting blade, prior to dropping the smaller portions of the demolished panel on the ground? If this method is used, do I need to prepare for glass tubes (if that is how the panels are constructed) within the panel to be broken, or glycol to be spilled? I do not know if either of these are things that should be a concern on a 40 year old panel because I do not know how panels were constructed in the early 1980s. Thank you for sharing your expertise.

[@PropertyNoma]

I'm in the same boat as you as I have no experience with older models of flat panel solar water heaters. I'm sorry as you have written a thorough question. Isn't there a local dealer in your area who knows about solar water heaters of that era or the one who sold it to you?

[@RedondoBeach2]

@@PropertyNoma I do not know who sold the panel. I will try to search for a dealer. Thanks for your reply.

[@tebogomodupo4974]

What would be the reason of water not getting hot in that loop

[@MH-oc4de]

Why not paint the roof tank black to increase the heat and boost performance ?

[@rakeshrajpal4650]

Hi thanks for the video. Where can I get propylene glycol and the price . And how much is the cost of a 300 litres system.

[@PropertyNoma]

It depends with the company you buy from. They may be the best place to find them

[@Royals4justice]

thanks for the education. approximately how many people can use a 200L tank capacity please. secondly if you have a circulation pump for the cold water, can you send the same pressurized cold water to the solar heater?

[@PropertyNoma]

200L about 3-5 people depending on the amount each person uses. A circulation pump can be used on an indirect solar water system

[@adegboyegachioma3174]

I really love it

[@EziAPEDASSOU-xn7vm]

Tout d'abord j'aime votre présentation. S'il vous plaît pouvez nous présenter le système en français?

[@denniskurgat5366]

This is perfect.Kazi safi bana Where are you located?

[@PropertyNoma]

In Nairobi, Dennis

[@okotitembete9791]

How much is 300lt?.

[@thelifeofdel9923]

Do you deliver in to London?

[@PropertyNoma]

No I don't unfortunately

[@jamesgesaka3327]

How much does it cost to install the solar heater

[@timeparty718]

I am surprised that the indirect coil within the tank serves the house, rather than the other way round where it ought to serve the heater panels. Also, there's no mention of any thermal insulation of the tank against ambient external temperatures (especially important in winter).

[@martinchanda3413]

What could be the reason, I installed the solar panel heater and it's not heating only cold water coming

[@PropertyNoma]

1. Wrong piping connection 2. Faulty heating mechanism in the solar heater that needs repair 3. Consult an experienced solar heater plumber to troubleshoot your system and identify the problem

[@clintonboyer1217]

Thanks

[@martinwaweru4659]

Anyone doing this and share quotation?

[@pewpew9040]

It is a nightmare to clean the water deposit. You will have to replace it every 3 years

[@sNEAKYnIGHTmUPPET]

I think that your explanation is backwards. The Glycol/water mix travels through the SS coil, and the potable water is held inside the tank. This is why you have a large volume of hot water. if it was just inside the tube then you wouldn't have much hot water capacity.

[@PropertyNoma]

Oh yes! Thanks for pointing that out