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INSTALLATION – SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR COLLECTOR LOCATION
The solar collectors must be installed in a shade free position. The surrounds should be checked for higher
buildings or trees which may cause shade at other times of the year and for small trees which may grow and
shade the solar collectors in the future.
The installation must comply with the requirements of AS/NZS 3500.4 and all local codes and regulatory
authority requirements.
Refer to “System Assembly” on page 43 for the procedure to mount the system and connection details of the
solar hot and solar cold pipes.
ROOF STRENGTH
The water heater must be installed on an adequately supported area of roof. The installer must ensure the
structural integrity of the building is not compromised by the solar water heater installation and the roof
structure is suitable to carry the full weight of the solar storage tank, solar collectors and frame (if one is
installed). If in any doubt of the construction or the condition of the roof, the roof should be suitably
strengthened. Consult a structural engineer.
The solar storage tanks, when full of water, weigh approximately 377 kg (300 litre) and 231 kg (180 litre). Each
SPA2000 solar collector and its fittings weighs up to approximately 55 kg when full of closed circuit fluid and
each NPT200 and CSA2007 solar collector and its fittings weighs up to approximately 44 kg when full of fluid.
ROOF AREA FOR INSTALLATION
The roof area required for the solar storage tank and solar collectors is (excluding service and access space):
180 litre x 1 collector – 1.6 m wide x 2.5 m deep. Weight (full) up to 287 kg approx.
300 litre x 2 collectors – 2.5 m wide x 2.5 m deep. Weight (full) up to 484 kg approx.
300 litre x 3 collectors – 3.5 m wide x 2.5 m deep. Weight (full) up to 507 kg approx.
Sufficient space should be left around the thermosiphon solar water heater to allow for safe service access. A
minimum of one (1) metre clearance is recommended to be left around the solar storage tank and solar
collectors on the other three sides for safe service access.
ORIENTATION OF SOLAR COLLECTORS
The optimum orientation of solar collectors, to maximise system performance, is facing true north (in the
southern hemisphere) or true south (in the northern hemisphere). However, the optimum orientation of solar
collectors is not always practical or achievable. If it is not possible to achieve the optimum orientation, then it
is recommended to install the solar collectors as close to the optimum orientation as possible.
Solar collectors may be installed up to 90° from the optimum orientation, however solar system performance
will be reduced. The total solar radiation received by solar collectors will reduce by approximately 4% to 5%
when facing 45° from the optimum orientation and approximately 10% to 15% when facing 90° from the
optimum orientation. The system owner needs to be made aware of, understand and accept that solar system
performance will be reduced and increased boosting may be required to meet their hot water requirements if
the system is installed away from the optimum orientation.
Where the orientation is greater than 60° from the optimum and depending upon the type of system to be
installed and the geographic location of the installation, selective surface collectors in lieu of non-selective
surface collectors may be able to be installed to make up for the reduction in solar performance. On a 300 litre
closed circuit system an additional solar collector may also be installed. Note, these options may not be
required in either warmer latitudes or lower hot water load applications where sufficient solar performance can
still be achieved, or where over-performance of such a system is likely or has proven to occur.
Refer to “Solar Collectors” on page 25 for additional information on the selection of solar collectors for this
system.
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