Why are all the components for a solar system so expensive ?

[Rob Foster]

I am thinking of putting together a system from a roof panel to a second coil in the cylinder but all the bits in the BES book are way more than ordinary fittings. As the solar liquid is chemically stabilised surely ordinary fittings and pipe will be ok. Or am I missing something here ?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

There designed for extreme temp so yea

 

[townfanjon]

As above ^^^ they get to incredible temps , I dont know you are going to put an extra coil in your cylinder though.
Not a DIY job.

 

[snowhead]

If there is already a coil in the cylinder, make sure the cylinder is a Solar rated one.
Research Dedicated Solar volume, which if you were qualified to install cylinders, you'd already know about.

 

[Sharp Point]

Ordinary everyday plumbing fittings made with non ferrous metals can be used, but it’s very wise you dont use endfeed fittings from the solar panel to about 2 metres away/ down, as if the pump fails it can get very hot ( stagnation)and melt solder.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Ordinary everyday plumbing fittings made with non ferrous metals can be used, but it’s very wise you dont use endfeed fittings from the solar panel to about 2 metres away/ down, as if the pump fails it can get very hot and melt solder.

cant use soldered at all mate

 

[Sharp Point]

cant use soldered at all mate

Wanna bet?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Wanna bet?

brazing doesnt count

 

[Sharp Point]

brazing doesnt count

Lol, spoil sport

 

[Sharp Point]

No, you have a good point Shaun and I forgot to add that ideally use compression fittings or silver solder fittings only.

 

[townfanjon]

Compression , liners if poss and brass olives

 

[Sharp Point]

Compression , liners if poss and brass olives

And a smidge of stag wellseal for good measure

 

[Rob Foster]

Thank you for your replies so far. Brazing is no problem and I can use my cleaned gas fittings I have left over from my hospital medi gas installation days. There is a coil conversion for the immersion boss on the cylinder I have seen and use the comp fittings as you suggest. Bingo - or is it ?
I have my own solar thermal panels. Anymore suggestion positive or otherwise ?

 

[townfanjon]

Coil conversion going in through an immersion heater boss , shakes his head , what about pump , expanssion vessel , system pressure , controller , system linked to boiler etc etc etc .

My post above said not a diy job , it is turning into one , I am out !!

 

[snowhead]

 

[Sharp Point]

Coil conversion going in through an immersion heater boss , shakes his head , what about pump , expanssion vessel , system pressure , controller , system linked to boiler etc etc etc .

My post above said not a diy job , it is turning into one , I am out !!

I completely disagree, a thermal solar system can be installed competently by any good diyer. As plumbers/ gas guys/ heating engineers, we weren’t the pioneers of thermal solar. The plumbing industry only jumped on the renewable band wagon about 5 years ago, up until that time I’d say the bulk of home thermal installs were done by diyer’s. Yes, I’d agree that some are a little sketchy, but some are totally superb. Gas/ heating/ plumbing isn’t rocket science. You’d be totally amazed at how many intelligent people are out there, that would put yours and I’s grey matter to shame.

 

[Sharp Point]

If you want a real good read and meet some super intelligent people, search navitron forum. Those lot on there aren’t tradesman but diyers

 

[Rob Foster]

I think this is what I was thinking when I posted so thanks bog rodder.
This 'diy' system will be connected to a solar thermal roof that my design company produced and which already has accreditation. I am just pushing the boundaries a bit. So thanks to all who have given their opinion. There are pics but on another computer

 

[Sharp Point]

I myself have installed well over 200 custom systems over the last 11 years, using flat plate collectors and evacuated tubes.

 

[Sharp Point]

I think this is what I was thinking when I posted so thanks bog rodder.
This 'diy' system will be connected to a solar thermal roof that my design company produced and which already has accreditation. I am just pushing the boundaries a bit. So thanks to all who have given their opinion. There are pics but on another computer

It’s okay rob.

 

[Rob Foster]

Now your talking - flat plate heat exchangers are the business - we specified our 1st in about 1999 for the largest residential home in Europe (at the time)

 

[Sharp Point]

I prefer evacuated tubes, better in winter

 

[Rob Foster]

Your right tubes are better which is why I am mucking about with the roof again - I am off now - I will watch out for you on here regards

 

[Ric2013]

FWIW, The Centre for Alternative Technology, which has been messing around with solar since before it was invented, comments that flat plate collectors give a lesser output than evacuated tubes per unit of surface area, but have a better life expectancy.

The conclusion at CAT is, therefore, that you are probably better off avoiding evacuated tubes UNLESS you have a lack of roof area which means that you cannot obtain the output you require from flat plates.

 

[Rob Foster]

The solar thermal roof we developed was using pull extruded grp with all interlocking strips with a heating matrix behind it - it was so strong you could use it for solar walls and as a demo I drove my Landrover over it. Thats what I am using this time with the left overs for a garden office.

 

[Sharp Point]

The solar thermal roof we developed was using pull extruded grp with all interlocking strips with a heating matrix behind it - it was so strong you could use it for solar walls and as a demo I drove my Landrover over it. Thats what I am using this time with the left overs for a garden office.

Ooooo, sounds interesting. Any piccies?

 

[Rob Foster]

This was 3-4 years ago and that year is on a computer that got locked out it will be going to the experts as I need some records from it anyway then you can see no problem. I will see if tere is a web link to it later. Now in your experience how often do solar systems need the fluid topping up ? I know that some installers make perfect systems but many do not so - how often and how much ?

 

[Rob Foster]

Ok I found a reference to it 'versatyle solar' on google images two pics 1.outside view 2 the heat collector - we built a fully operating set up with about 30 m2 collector with the full solar cylinder and control kit using Sentinel R100 - which tastes uck when you get airlocked but really does the job. The system still operates today. Am I boring you ?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Ok I found a reference to it 'versatyle solar' on google images two pics 1.outside view 2 the heat collector - we built a fully operating set up with about 30 m2 collector with the full solar cylinder and control kit using Sentinel R100 - which tastes uck when you get airlocked but really does the job. The system still operates today. Am I boring you ?

this?

 

[Ric2013]

Looks very inefficient, but quite pretty. No data on the Versatyle site. Tested for 98 years. Really? Also seems to use a heat pump. So it's a thermodynamic panel then (i.e. a not very good ASHP)?

Should you install thermodynamic panels on your home?

 

[quality]

No it sounds interesting

 

[Rob Foster]

yes thats the project - the roof material was certified cant remember by which uk body - the heat gathering was not as efficient as some set ups but is very robust and all the components cheap and off the shelf

 

[Ric2013]

I'd just want to see data is all. The website is currently under construction and the collector shown looks much like an underfloor heating system, or the very basic collectors made from copper tube soldered to a metal plate (which work very reliably, but are nowhere near as efficient as the more technical and modern collectors).

 

[Rob Foster]

In order to understand this system I need to explain the roof came 1st it is quite innovative and can be any colour and with any printed finish. It is supplied in artic lorry length strips which simply slot over and interlock its light and easy to shape. The solar bit followed on when my company where asked to produce an addition to the original roof system. Hence v solar. I can dig out the actual test results over 6 months if anybody wants to know.

 

[Ric2013]

Well, yes please. It looks like a matt black surface which would be extremely effective in direct sun on a hot day and when a low temperature and low delta T are required. Could be very good for heating the water for a swimming pool. But the high emissivity surface looks like it would radiate a lot of heat so would never reach a high temperature, nor work well in winter. At this point, if you're having to add a heat pump, it starts to look less efficient than an array of evacuated tubes or modern flat panels, or an ASHP.
Looks nice, but then it's just what we're used to. I'm sure people used to say that slate roofs look industrial and lack the charm of thatch and how we are ruining our heritage by using slates in the name of progress. Perhaps conventional solar panels are much the same?