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Alternative-Heating-Info.com
Solar Hot Water System Facts
Sizing a solar water heater involves
determining the total collector area
and the storage volume required to
provide 100% of your household's
hot water during the summer.
Solar storage tanks are usually 50,
60, 80, or 120 gallon capacity.
A small (50 to 60 gallon) system is
sufficient for 1 to 3 people, a medium
(80-gallon) system is adequate for a
3 or 4 person household, and a large
(120-gallon) system is appropriate
for 4 to 6 people.
determining the total collector area
and the storage volume required to
provide 100% of your household's
hot water during the summer.
Solar storage tanks are usually 50,
60, 80, or 120 gallon capacity.
A small (50 to 60 gallon) system is
sufficient for 1 to 3 people, a medium
(80-gallon) system is adequate for a
3 or 4 person household, and a large
(120-gallon) system is appropriate
for 4 to 6 people.
Determining the number of flat panel collectors
Here's rule of thumb for sizing a solar hot water system using flat panel type collectors:
Allow about 20 square feet of collector area for each of the first two family members
and 8 square feet for each additional family member if you live in the Sun Belt.
Allow 12 to 14 additional square feet per person if you live in the northern United
States.
For example, a family of four in a northern climate would need 20 square feet of
collector area for the first person, 20 for the second person and 12 to 14 square feet
each for the third and fourth family member. This equals 64 to 68 square feet of solar
collector area.
Here's rule of thumb for sizing a solar hot water system using flat panel type collectors:
Allow about 20 square feet of collector area for each of the first two family members
and 8 square feet for each additional family member if you live in the Sun Belt.
Allow 12 to 14 additional square feet per person if you live in the northern United
States.
For example, a family of four in a northern climate would need 20 square feet of
collector area for the first person, 20 for the second person and 12 to 14 square feet
each for the third and fourth family member. This equals 64 to 68 square feet of solar
collector area.
Determining solar hot water storage tank capacity
A ratio of at least 1.5 gallons of storage capacity to 1 square foot of collector area
prevents the system from overheating when the demand for hot water is low. In very
warm, sunny climates, experts suggest that the ratio should be at least 2 gallons of
storage to 1 square foot of collector area.
Applying this formula to a cold weather system we multiply 64 square feet of collector
area by 1.5 to arrive at 96 gallons of hot water storage capacity. And in warm, sunny
climates, you would need 2 gallons of storage per square foot of collector area or 128
gallons.
Since the average daily hot water usage per person is around 20 gallons you could
probably get away with an 80 gallon tank if you lived in a cold climate. But if you live
where its sunny and warm, or if 20 minute showers are the norm, your system would
require the larger 120 gallon tank.
A ratio of at least 1.5 gallons of storage capacity to 1 square foot of collector area
prevents the system from overheating when the demand for hot water is low. In very
warm, sunny climates, experts suggest that the ratio should be at least 2 gallons of
storage to 1 square foot of collector area.
Applying this formula to a cold weather system we multiply 64 square feet of collector
area by 1.5 to arrive at 96 gallons of hot water storage capacity. And in warm, sunny
climates, you would need 2 gallons of storage per square foot of collector area or 128
gallons.
Since the average daily hot water usage per person is around 20 gallons you could
probably get away with an 80 gallon tank if you lived in a cold climate. But if you live
where its sunny and warm, or if 20 minute showers are the norm, your system would
require the larger 120 gallon tank.
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Depending on the manufacturer, a single
flat panel collector has an aperture area
(the glazed section within the frame) of 21
to 24 square feet meaning the system in
our example would require a total of 3
panels.
Three panels is also the maximum number
of collectors that can be tied together in
series.
flat panel collector has an aperture area
(the glazed section within the frame) of 21
to 24 square feet meaning the system in
our example would require a total of 3
panels.
Three panels is also the maximum number
of collectors that can be tied together in
series.