INSTALLATION – SOLAR COLLECTORS
41
Each of these options should be discussed with the system owner. If neither of these options is possible nor
suitable, nor acceptable to the system owner, then the system owner needs to be made aware of, understand
and accept that increased boosting may be required to meet their hot water requirements.
Where the collectors may be installed at a similar angle either east or west of the optimal orientation, then the
hot water load and usage pattern may need to be considered. If the majority of hot water usage is before
2:00 PM favour an easterly bias. If the majority of hot water usage is after 2:00 PM favour a westerly bias.
Note: Always check for true north or true south using a compass or other suitable device.
INCLINATION OF SOLAR COLLECTORS
To help maximise system performance, solar collectors should be installed with an optimum inclination. This
is equal to 90% to 100% of the local latitude angle when collectors are oriented within 60° of true north or true
south, and between 10° and 20° when the collectors are oriented between 60° and 90° from the optimum
orientation.
Generally, improved summer performance is obtained from an angle of inclination less than the optimum angle
and improved winter performance is obtained by an angle of inclination greater than the optimum angle. If the
angle of inclination varies by 20° from the optimum angle, the solar collectors will receive about 10% less total
annual solar radiation. The latitude of some Australian cities are listed on page 41.
AS/NZS 3500.4 states that solar collectors shall be installed at an angle within 20° of the local latitude angle.
However, the optimum inclination of solar collectors is not always practical or achievable. A thermosiphon solar
water heater may be installed at the roof angle for simplicity of installation and appearance, but must never be
less than 10° from the horizontal.
The water heater is suitable for installations with an inclination of up to 30°. Where the solar water heater is
installed at inclinations greater than 30°, a With Pitch frame and tank frame mounting kit are necessary. Refer
to your local Solar Distributor for details.
A Variable-Pitch frame can be installed to increase the angle of inclination of the thermosiphon solar water
heater. This type of frame should be used if the roof pitch is less than 10° or varies by more than 20° below
the optimum angle. A tank frame mounting kit is also required with a Fixed Pitch frame. Refer to your local
Solar Distributor for details.
The use of a Variable-Pitch frame should be discussed with the system owner. If this option is neither possible
nor acceptable to the system owner, then the system owner needs to be made aware of, understand and
accept that increased boosting may be required to meet their hot water requirements.
CYCLONIC OR HIGH WIND AREAS
For an installation of a thermosiphon solar water heater in a cyclonic or high wind area, a suitable frame and
a tank frame mounting kit are required. Refer to your local Solar Distributor for details.
LATITUDE OF SOME AUSTRALIAN CITIES
To Next Page
Loading...
