Solar Water Heating Trials 2007

[Zihuacrab]

Too complicated, I want to make it without needing a computer or any electrical devices.

[solarhope]

@Zihuacrab This set up was built as a test rig and data gathering platform. You do not have to use computers.

Most systems do however use temperature sensors and a pump.

I am now using solar PV - see other video.

Good luck with your setup. - Martin.

[IronHorsez88]

Good try, but I think I'll stick with black polyethelyne tubing. Best for the DIY person. Would be very helpful to the public if you tested that material. Also seperate tests covered in glass or plastic and uncovered. Requires more space, but no soldering required. This is a great testing setup. Thanks.

[solarhope]

Hi, I have more or less completed my tests on solar heating, and am now looking into photo galvanic generation - will be posting in the next few weeks.

I did however run the panels with the perspex and casements removed, they work OK the panel temp fluctuates more quickly as clouds pass by. I think in a hotter country the lower efficiency would be more than off set by the lower build cost and use of more panels.

There is more discussion on this on the 2008 vid I posted.

[solarhope]

Good luck with the black poly tubing, sounds a good idea, cheaper than copper but not as good conductor of heat - You should try a few tests using 2 small systems side by side, keeping one as a control and tweaking the other.

Look forward to your results when you post. -Regards Martin.

[IronHorsez88]

People, please Do NOT post video with graphs if you do not explain the graphs, or make it really clear in the video to read. This graph to viewers is of NO USE. Thanks for teasing your viewers.

[solarhope]

Hi - Sorry the chart did not turn out as clear as I would have liked, but if you pause it I think you can get the gist of what it is I'm trying to show.

Caption - Data for one days data.

Title - Solar panel and tank temperature 08/08/07.

Vert Scale 0 -70 degrees Centigrade.

Hoz Scale 0730h to 1830h.

Pink Line (Lower Line) - Tank Temp.

Black Line (Upper Line) - Panel Temp.

Hope this helps - Martin.

[oomblikkies]

I have a 300 litre geyser and my solar panel routinely get it up to 75 Centigrade in summer - cant wait to see what it will do in winter. I'm not using any circulating pumps (great save on electricity) and my bill on electricity consumption in my house has dropped by 45%.

Clouds are of course a killer for the solar heater (all solar heaters).

[solarhope]

Hi, It sounds like you have a good system - I guess living in South Africa helps.

I am in the process of building a pv panel to try out - will post on here when I get some results. - Regards Martin.

[catatonicable]

Looks good, quite similar to my system to heat a pool, want to go to geyser heating now or preheating, cannot find one of those cental heating pumps over here though, where you get yours, Cheers ex-pom.

[solarhope]

I got the pumps on ebay, check the 2008 vid I now use a 12v pump.

[RadiancePower]

nice job,really cool how u did tests. i build solar air heaters but i will eventually get around to water form my home..cant decide between a batch or your type heater. keep up the great info.

[solarhope]

Thanks for the comments - good luck with either option - have fun doing it.

[321ozzy]

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 !

[solarhope]

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.

[tiestoquad]

Thanks!!!

[tiestoquad]

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

[solarhope]

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.

[mesmerizeme]

5 star rating!! excellent work. I can not afford 5k for solar, up to now its just been a rich mans game! Great project

[solarhope]

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.

[harpersteven]

what ever happen the wise words. don't reinvent the wheel?

[solarhope]

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

[solarhope]

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.

[Dawncardiff]

brilliant idea, looks very good. Are you selling the system?

[solarhope]

"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.

[spinaway]

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.

[solarhope]

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.

[spinaway]

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