Need info on solar

singh

Wow, 1K seems like bargain. But then again I don't see much 1K solar systems out there. Wonder why.
Policy is not to discuss price here, but my 20 evacuated tubes, pump/fill station, (see thread http://forums.invision.net/Index.cfm?CFApp=2&Message_ID=343721#Message343650 ), differential control, storage tank, and mounting bracket costs less than 4K. Before tax credits ! After credits, around 1.5 K

Labor is my own of course, and roof installation won't be too bad, single story house.
Payback should be quick, in theory at least.

I should not have to worry about dump zone, I'm thinking about piping into a zone that heats my basement, it stays damp and cool in the summer.

I'm exited about solar, now that a well thought out "package" is being offered from companies like , oventrop, viessmann etc..

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Jim H

Looking for information on solar heating

I am looking for information on solar heating. There seems to be a lot of companies selling these products. Are they all the same? What reccomendations do you have?

ALH_4

Solar

Caleffi manufactures some nice hot water solar system components.

As far as collectors, there are many:

Viessmann, Stiebel Eltron, Sun Earth, Oventrop, Apricus, among others.

Generally solar thermal systems are most effectively used on domestic hot water preheat systems, but solar space heating is possible also, though the economics are not as good as for dhw heating. Viessmann provides a fairly detailed solar design manual on their website.

highlander

solar

you might start by looking at home power mag. lots different hot water and pv info. web site too.

DanHolohan

Look in the Library

under Solar. You'll find the Libary on the navigation bar.

It pays to wander off the Wall.

hr

The Viessmann data under solar

under the "green" heading above is incredible. That last file (very large) has tons of useful info and great application pictures.

Thanks Viessmann!

The 2008 issue if Idronics will be a solar issue that will knock your sock off. Caleffi, the publisher of Idronics is hiring the best minds in the world to boil solar down to an understandable level. Due in January, perhaps?

hot rod

Thanks Viessmann.

hot rod

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Kevin_in_Denver_2

KISS

Is it just me, or does anyone else think that Viessman is making solar thermal just a little too complicated and expensive.

We have several drainback flat plate systems out there that are still performing well after 25 years, mainly because they are dead simple.

ALH_4

V

I dont think their flatplate collectors are that high priced. The piping system works well.

Their evac tubes, tanks, and controls are pricey IMO.

One of the cool things about solar and hydronics in general is that there are so many ways to do things.

Unknown

I'm with you, but in northern climes those evac tubes do seem to do a good job of soaking up some heat.

singh

Being new

to solar, and young,( just a kid 25 years ago ) help me understand what is complicated about Viessmann solar systems. I do not find it complicated, nor too pricey, and just recently purchased an evac tube array for my own home. If drainback was my only option, I would not be interested.?

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Unknown

Singh, several years ago you could buy a simple DHW only drainback flatplate system, with tank, for slightly more than $1k that would pay itself back fairly quick, in theory at least.

That's extreme, but you can't get through a viessman evac system for less than ten times that, and there are dump zone concerns and all these other things that never were problems before.

Makes it hard to get excited about the solar, knowing the payback period is so long term now...

I don't argue which is better, but a part of me definitely wonders if a fraction of the cost spent dealing with some of drainback's issues wouldn't have been more cost effective.

But then, on the other hand... awful lot of abandoned drainback systems out there too.

Andrew Hagen_2

Why evacuated tubes?

Two Viessmann Flatplates, a Crown MS120 tanks, a 15-58, and a Tekmar 155 still isn't too bad. Everyone is so excited about evacuated tubes. I can see the installation difficulty with flat plates and the slightly better performance of evacuated tubes, but what's wrong with the DHW pre-heat system I described? Sure it's nowhere near $1k, but 1K doesnt buy much of anything these days.

hr

I'm an old solar dog that WANTS to learn

new tricks and methods if they exist. Some of the tanks and controls I saw at ISH made me smile. There are ways to improve even the most basic systems with new materials and techonology.

I saw some unique collasapable tanks at ISH.

Heck even using a ECM circ could cut electrical consumption in half.

Differential controls that watch panels on east and west exposures. Pre insulated linesets, nice modules that plug and play. These all save labor hours at $150 an hour an more.

Evac or flat plate isn't a black or white issue. In some cases evacs are the best answer in others not. I know my new Oventrop evac tubes start about an hour earlier then the flat panel did. I suspect to see some winter improvement in solar harvest-ability.

Not everybody wants a $1000.00 system. If so sell them some garden hose to lay in the sun

hot rod

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DP



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