Components of a solar system

The first things you notice of a solar system are the collectors on the roof. It is their job to convert the solar radiation into heat - not only on sunny days but all year round. We distinguish between two types of collectors: the flat plate collector and the evacuated tube collector.

Flat plate collector

Flat plate collectors look like large roof windows. Behind the glass pane is what is known as a selective absorber. The highly selective lamination converts significantly more solar radiation to heat than would a simple lamination, resulting in higher energy savings especially in autumn, winter and spring. Solar fluid flows through pipes that are directly linked to the absorber - in this way the heat is transported to the storage tanks. The back of the flat plate collectors must be well insulated in order to minimise heat loss to the outside.

PLANO 27

Flat plate collector

The PLANO 27 is ideal for supplying the majority of your hot water demand whilst looking attractive and efficient. The PLANO 27 harvests noticeably more solar energy than conventional models in its class. 

The advantages are:

Elegant design

Ease of installation

Installation location & position

Low lifetime maintenance requirement

High energy yield

High efficiency

Internal design

High quality & long service life

Listed on the ECA Energy Technology List and is CEN Solar Keymark Scheme (MCS equivalent)

Evacuated tube collector

Evacuated tube collector consists of glass tubes in which the solar radiation is converted into heat. Mirroring behind the tubes concentrates the sun's rays. The vacuum in the tubes allows almost no heat to escape and, because of this, they deliver more heat in spring, autumn and winter that flat plates.

TUBO 12 CI

Evacuated Tube Collector

The TUBO 12 CI has been specifically designed to capture as much solar heat as possible to provide virtually all the domestic hot water demand and to supplement the heating system, depends upon the number of panels installed.

The advantages are:

High storage water temperature

Long energy capture period

Minimal energy wastage

Innovative design features

Low lifetime maintenance requirement

Lowest profile on the market

Listed on the ECA Energy Technology List and is CEN Solar Keymark Scheme (MCS equivalent)

Thermal heat store

The central component of a solar thermal system is the heat store. Heat from the solar collectors is transferred, via pipework, to the water store. The main function of the store is the efficient storage of solar heat for as long as possible, and then efficiently delivering the heat for heating the hot water and/or the space heating system.

Transfer of solar heat to the water in the store is usually achieved using a heat exchanger. An efficient solar heat exchanger enables a particularly high heat transfer to the store. However, this does not automatically mean high-energy output, because the mixing of colder and warmer store water could cause efficiency losses. These losses can be minimised using an efficient stratification system within the store, such as in the SOLUS II.

Another important aspect concerning solar heat stores is water hygiene.  Bacteria, which cause legionnaire’s disease, may become a serious danger to consumers' health. This problem may occur when there are periods of no consumption, coupled with a large store. Therefore, safe hot water provision systems will either have, a very small hot water capacity or they heat the water as it flows through.

SOLUS II

Thermal store

Through its patented construction, the SOLUS II guarantees quick and high solar energy harvesting without the additional use of pumps or regulators.  The stored heat energy is used to generation of hot water and for space heating support.  With its very low heat loss, considerable amounts of CO₂, energy and therefore money can be saved over the lifetime of a SOLUS II.

The advantages are:

Specifically design as a thermal store

Operational savings

Very quick heat up times

Whole tank hot water storage

Minimal heat loss

Reduced installation costs

High storage water temperature

Increased hot water performance

Retro-fitting solar thermal systems

For many customers the integration of the solar system with their existing heating system is crucial.

The SOLUS II thermal store has been designed to allow easy connection to the existing boiler, whether it is gas, oil, electric, biomass or heat pump and with the various building heating circuits.

Controllers and Associated Equipment

There are a number of types of controllers available, thereby providing the most suitable control option for all design scenarios.   The CONTROL-Series controllers are optimally designed to meet the requirements of stratified storage tanks.  The top loading/intermittent operation function allows particularly rapid heating of the upper stratified region of the storage tank in summer operation.  The boiler pump does not need to start as often, resulting in particularly high-energy savings.  Many of the control functions offer solutions for virtually any type of solar and/or heating system.  The system data can be monitored, recorded and evaluated easily via the PC interface for the 601 and 701 series.

The solar and heating systems require pump stations to allow the respective fluids to circulate around their own system.  The solar pump station controls the fluid through the solar collector and delivers the heat to the heat-exchanger in the thermal store.  The heating pump station controls the temperature of the heating water to the radiators, under-floor heating, mechanical ventilation system, or any other heating emitter.

The microprocessor-based CONTROL 300 controller has been developed to ensure optimum performance and operational safety of CONSOLAR thermal stores and collectors.  The CONTROL 300 is also suitable for solar thermal systems with other types of thermal store.

Control 300

The CONTROL 300 controls the solar heating and hot water temperature.

The controller permits the intelligent utilisation of different insolation and weather conditions by automatically switching between two operating states, depending on the level of solar loading.

Top loading:  In good weather conditions, when the minimum temperature of the collector is above the stored water temperature, the full volume of the solar circuit water is circulated continuously.

If the solar insolation is not sufficient to heat the collector to the minimum temperature (top loading temperature), the controller switches over to intermittent operation.  This means that the CONTROL 300 waits a specific period for the collector to warm up and then starts the pump, which then runs for a set period.  This set period is determined by calculating the length of time it will take the volume of fluid in the collector circuit to be circulated once.   The water is automatically diverted to the middle or lower stratified region of the CONSOLAR thermal store.

The need for backup water heating using the boiler is therefore reduced in summer.

The R-CONTROL remote controller can be connected to the CONTROL 300 system via a bus interface and installed, for example, in the living area.  This remote control is capable of monitoring and adjusting all temperature inputs and settings for the CONTROL 300 system.

CONTROL 601 / 701

The microprocessor controlled CONTROL 601 and 701 controllers have been developed to enable the optimal functioning and operational safety of the CONSOLAR thermal stores and collectors.  The controllers can be used with other solar thermal systems.   The controller permits the intelligent utilisation of different insolation and weather conditions by automatically switching between three operating states, depending on the level of solar loading.

The basic operation of the solar pump is the same as for the CONTROL 300 in regards the top loading and intermittent operations.   However, in winter, spring and autumn, if the solar insolation is insufficient to meet the hot water demand without using the boiler, the controller switches to pre-heating mode.   The solar heated water is then used to pre-heat the water in the heating circuit buffer region.

The CONTROL 601 can control the solar heating, hot water temperature and one heating circuit, whilst the 701 can control up to three heating circuits.

Both the CONTROL 601 and 701 can be connected to a PC using a serial interface.  This can be used to monitor the solar thermal and heating system.   In addition, different temperature and results values can be recorded and presented as graphs.  This interface is available as an accessory and can be installed to the controller at a later date.

The TR-CONTROL remote control and room thermostat controller can be connected to the CONTROL 601 or 701 systems via a bus interface and installed, for example, in the living area.  This remote control is capable of monitoring and adjusting all temperature inputs and settings for the CONTROL 601 and 701 systems.