Solar Water Heating Trials 2007
Apr 29th, 2009 by Mr.Burton
This slideshow describes some of the work I did last year on two DIY solar panels I made.
Duration : 0:3:6
15 Responses to “Solar Water Heating Trials 2007”
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Hi Ozzy – thanks …
Hi Ozzy – thanks for your comments, The solder jopints were done with a 2kw heat gun – seems to work well.
I have removed the casements and plexi from the panels and will see what difference it makes this comming summer.
I think it would be a big cost saving and would give good results in your part of the world. – Regards Martin.
Congratulations …
Congratulations with your project; the quality of the joints you soldered is very high.
I also like the fact that you incorporated the use of software to optimize efficiency.
I am working on a batch heater in Mexico, make use of heat syphoning; sun and heat are sufficiently available the whole year.
Nevertheless, the next step would be a more sophisticated version.
Great job !
Thanks!!!
Thanks!!!
The software I …
The software I wrote using Visual Basic and the main electronics board is a Velleman K8055 USB board which cost about £40 sterling.
The setup monitors the temperature of the panels and the water tank it also controls the pump when the panels are 5 degrees C higher than the tank.
All this information is logged throughout the day and saved on the laptop.
Hi, can you tell …
Hi, can you tell which sofware you use in pc for solar pane and where did you buy a board, how it cost!!!! Thanks!!! Ingus
hi martin, just go …
hi martin, just go on ebay type in solar water heating search in all categories and scroll through, they vary between £195 for a panel upto £7 or £800 for a diy kit regards jim
Hi Spinaway
I …
Hi Spinaway
I don’t know a great deal about the evacuated type, other than as they loose vacuum with age so their efficiency goes down.
In winter time there is less solar power available for either system of a given size (square meters).
I thought they cost a lot more than £250 — would be pleased if you could email me details.
Regards Martin.
Superb, But i see …
Superb, But i see the price of a 20 tube evacuated panel is down to £250 would this not be a better way to go with the diy system, evacuated panels work even in winter, However still a great project.
Thanks mesmerizeme, …
Thanks mesmerizeme,
I quite agree about the costs, I reckon less than £1000 if you were to install a DIY system with a much quicker payback time, making it a viable proposition for a lot more people.
Regards Martin.
5 star rating!! …
5 star rating!! excellent work. I can not afford 5k for solar, up to now its just been a rich mans game! Great project
Hi Harpersteven,
…
Hi Harpersteven,
I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel, just making a more affordable one.
I think the five grand or more for a solar hot water system needs to come down so that ordinary people can afford the outlay, I just set about having a go at building one using readily available parts, and so far the results are good.
P.S. – Checkout my 2008 vid
what ever happen …
what ever happen the wise words. don’t reinvent the wheel?
Thanks for the …
Thanks for the comments – I’m in the process of installing and testing a larger system, 6 panels and 120 Ltr tank.
If all goes well I may look at the idea of doing a kit.
I will post another slideshow as soon as I get the chance – Martin.
brilliant idea, …
brilliant idea, looks very good. Are you selling the system?
“Solar is just to …
“Solar is just to expensive and will take forever to pay back”
I think that rather depends on the initial cost of materials and labour. – a DIY system could well be the way forward.