ProgressivTube Batch Solar Water Heater

SunEarth Empire Glazed Flat Plate Solar Collector

SunEarth SETR 0301 Controller

Choosing A System

Every passive solar water heater falls into one of two categories: open loop or closed loop. The difference is simple. Open-loop systems heat the water that you actually use, while closed-loop systems heat an antifreeze-water solution (water and glycol) that transfers its heat to the domestic hot water.

If you live in a region where the temperature stays above freezing, you can get by with the simpler open-loop type. If you live in an area that experiences freezing temperatures for much of the year, you'll need to go with a closed-loop system.

The most basic open-loop type is called a batch collector, or integral collector storage system. Large-diameter pipes or one or more tanks are mounted in an insulated box with double or triple glazing. Batch collectors are plumbed into the household water system and feed hot water to the domestic water heater, or bypass it when there's ample sunshine. The disadvantage of a batch collector is that it is also a storage tank. That means that if you don't use the hot water quickly, you'll lose the heat it contains.

A more efficient open-loop system is a flat-plate collector type that transfers water to an insulated storage tank. These insulated and glazed panels contain water in rows of copper tubes mounted in a heat-absorbing black plate. Most systems use an electric circulator, but photovoltaic pumps are available also.

If you live in an area that experiences occasional freezing, either type of open-loop system can be set up to circulate warm water from the storage tank to the collector when the temperature drops to prevent freezing. However, this is risky since it can wreak havoc with the system's temperature sensors. Also, it wastes heat and uses electricity; hence, these systems are not a good fit for many areas of the United States.

The all copper collector/storage tank of a ProgressivTube unit absorbs solar radiation through its selective surface coating which raises the temperature of the water stored in the collector. It is well insulated with closed cell foam and the unit is double glazed for increased heat retention. The 4" diameter copper tubes are welded into a series flow pattern so that the top of the lower tube feeds the bottom of the next tube. This allows the ProgressivTube unit to contain the colder replacement water in the lower tubes where it is heated by the sun as it flows from one tube to the next.   Each time hot water is used, the ProgressivTube innovative design eliminates the cooling down of the remaining heated water that normally occurs in other types of solar water heating systems. Not only does this design ensure the delivery of the hottest water, but it also provides more hot water at a higher temperature and with a faster recovery time than solar systems of similar capacity.   These systems are OG300 certified and qualify for the California Grant Program Integrated collector storage (ICS) systems.  All-copper water vessel, anodized aluminum frame, low iron glass, R-17 polyisocyanurate insulation.    Limited 10-year Warranty

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