How Solar Thermal works

Have you ever felt warm water trickle out of a garden hose thats been sitting in the sun? If so, then youve witnessed solar water heating in action. Now imagine that same water moving slowly though a system specifically designed to heat and store water that is the essence of solar thermal water heating. People have for centuries used water heated by the sun and stored it for bathing, hand washing, cleaning clothes, heating homes and much more. The solar thermal systems used today combine the most efficient techniques for capturing the suns heat with modern plumbing systems to produce cost-effective hot water and reduce the need for gas or electricity to heat water. There are a number of different solar thermal designs, but all are based on the same simple principle as the garden hose. Each has its pros and cons, and each is suitable for a specific application. Consult with your local installer to determine which is best for your situation.

Passive vs. Active Systems

The terms passive and active solar thermal systems refer to whether the systems rely on pumps or only on thermal effects to circulate water through the systems.

The simplest systems are passive solar water heaters, also called batch or breadbox collectors; they are most common in regions that do not experience extensive periods of below freezing temperatures. The water in these solar collectors circulates without the aid of pumps or controls.

Active solar water heaters use pumps to circulate water or an antifreeze solution through heat-absorbing solar thermal collectors.

Direct vs. Indirect Systems

An important distinction among solar thermal systems is whether they are of direct or indirect design.

In an indirect system, also known as closed loop, a simple pump moves an antifreeze solution through a loop into the solar heat collector, through the collectors pipes, and out of the collector. Then, the sun-warmed antifreeze solution flows into a heat-transfer unit where it warms the cool water heading into a conventional hot water tank. The antifreeze solution then returns to the pump and again flows into the solar collector without ever mixing with the buildings water. Thus, water is indirectly heated. Indirect systems are encouraged in climates with extended periods of belowfreezing temperatures.

A direct system, also known as open loop, is a little simpler. There is no antifreeze solution; the water heated directly by the sun is the same water used by building occupants. A thermometer and controller sense when the solar collector is warm and ready to heat water. The controller starts a pump that moves cold water into the solar collector, where it is heated. The solar heated water is then stored in a conventional hot water tank. It is typical, especially during high use or periods of little sun for the water to be kept warm through supplemental gas or electricity. This type of system, because it circulates pure, potable water through an outdoor collector, is susceptible to freezing in many climates, unless safeguards are added.
In reality, both direct and indirect systems are somewhat more complicated than presented here. Differential thermostats, pumps, sensors, and controls are used so the simple systems illustrated work effectively and safely. However solar thermal technology is mature and proven, with few maintenance requirements for the installed systems.

Collecting the Sun

Solar thermal systems also differ by the type of collector used to gather and store the suns energy. Flat plate collectors are the simplest and most common type. Copper pipes wind back and forth through the flat plate collector, which is painted black to absorb heat. The collector is covered with glass, or glazing, to prevent heat from escaping. Often the pipes are painted black and bonded to the material of the flat plate collector to maximize heat absorption.

Solar pool heating systems use a similar design, but sometimes glazing is removed to save money and to prevent the pool water from becoming too hot. Some non-glazed systems look like flat black mats. Inside the mats is a network of headers through which the water slowly passes. More advanced systems like evacuated tube collectors and parabolic trough collectors can heat water or other fluids to much higher temperatures appropriate for industrial needs. Solar desiccant cooling systems can also be used to cool and dehumidify the air.