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Frequently Asked Questions
Q What angle should the heater be? A The solar heater collector should point to true north for best results however 10 degrees east of north to 20 degrees west of north is acceptable. Ideally it should also be at 90 degrees to the sun at solar noon during the equinox. This is the same as the latitude of your site. However, 15 degrees either way is acceptable.
Q What frame options are there? A The standard frame provides an 11 degree slope and is added to the roof angle. The frame angle can be extended by any amount up to a maximum of 40 degrees total slope including the frame and roof angle. This limitation is due to the design of the frame and solar collector tank mounting. Further modification is possible but not recomended in windy areas.
Q Do frame modifications or extensions cost extra? A Yes and the price is subject to individual requirements.
Q How do I find true north? A At 12:30pm in winter months and 1:30pm during daylight savings time on a sunny day the line along the shadow cast by a vertical surface such as a door jamb or the edge of a building will be close enough.
Q How do I establish the minimum and the maximum angles? A Since the earth rotates 2.5 degrees every 10 minutes then 40 minutes before the times above will equal 10 degrees east of north and 80 minutes after the true north reading equates to 20 degrees west of true north.
Q We've heard that a solar hot water heater can save up to 75% savings per year. Is that probable? A Yes, but it is an average figure and only on the hot water component of the total electricity bill. However, it also depends on whether the solar hot water system chosen is too small for the type of usage it is subjected to and on the installation itself. Installed systems that are under-rated need careful control on the way hot water is used since there is not an everlasting supply.
Q What savings can I expect over the year from a solar hot water system? A An average figure over a year would likely produce 30% - 40% savings on the total power bill excluding supply charges. This will still depend on the installation. The elevation must be close to ideal and the orientation true north with an unobstructed path to the sun (IE. no buildings trees or hills blocking the sunlight) at any time during the year.
Q Is the system mains pressure or low pressure.
Q Can this solar hot water system be used as a preheater for a calorfont(Rinnai water heater)?
Q If this is a closed loop system is the heating medium also water.?
Q Have the tubes been tested to the appropriate Standard to ensure they are strong enough to withstand hail strike?
Q Can the solar hot water system be used in conjunction with existing hot water cylinder and wet back and if so would it require a pump and controller?
If the wetback is already connected to the hot water cylinder you might choose to use the solar heater as a preheater to the system, in which case pre-warmed water would be supplied to the cylinder and the wetback would be used as the backup heat source. In this case no circulation pump is required. On the other hand you could elect to heat the water in the Microsolar tank from the wetback and circulate the water between the microsolar tank and the hot water cylinder. In this case a pump and controller unit would be required.
Q Can it be roof mounted? Does it require pumps for circulation?
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