Introduction

Discover the world of solar energy and solar panels

The sun as a source of clean, renewable energy

The sun as an energy source

Solar radiation is undoubtedly the best source of energy spread on the planet, being available almost everywhere and in quantities far greater than the needs of all humanity, on a day the Earth receives an amount of energy from the sun 30 times greater than the world population consumes in an entire year

Solar thermal collectors: hot water from the sun

To discover the world of the thermal solar energy, how the collectors make, how they work and where they are possible to be installed.

The use of solar energy for heat generation occurs through panels or solar thermal collectors. Among the different types available in the market for flat glass panels, plywood and plastic vacuum panels, the first are the most popular, due to cost and good performance.

How can they be used?
Thermal collectors can be used for:
1) hot water production
2) integrate space heating (in houses, hotels, facilities of hospitals, clinics, industrial processes, etc.).
3) integration of heating swimming pools and others.

Where and how can be installed thermal solar panels?
Most of the time are installed on the roof, whether it is roof pitch or flat roof.
E 'can still install the panels even on the ground.

Roof tiles- Thermal collectors can be integrated in the roof, replacing tiles. The installation is a little more expensive, but the aesthetic result is much better than installing the panels on the roof tiles (installation type "retrofit").

Flat roof - Using the structure in hot dip galvanized steel or stainless steel panels that raised the surface of the roof. The attachment is secured by anchors (in this case providing for the restoration of the insulating sheath) or ballast.

As the thermal solar collectors are realised?

Section of a solar thermal collector

The solar thermal collectors are like a "central" to produce heat.

Within a container realised with aluminum marks, the copper tubes are placed, within these tubes circulates a liquid (water + antifreeze, commonly known as "liquid sun") which exposes the sun heats up quickly.
These tubes are welded to a plaque, called "absorber plate, treated in such a way that maximizes solar energy capture and transmit it to the tubes that circulate the solar fluid is responsible for exchanging the water temperature inside the accumulator. The insolation of fiberglass or rock wool between the pipes and the outer frame base, minimizes heat loss. The front is protected by a thick tempered glass is called util-catchment, which also provides the mechanical strength

Storage Tank for system forced circulation

Solar for forced circulation system

That allows that we accumulate the hot water during the hours of light of the day, to cover its needs with consumption in the day, afternoon and at night as also water will be accumulated for when the atmospheric conditions are not favorable for the hot water production. You can install the tank to certain distance of the collectors or on them in the first case system of forced circulation is denominated, in the second case is a system to natural circulation.

Design system forced circulation

The forced thermal systems are the ideal solution when you want to produce hot water in quantities too high: buildings with more apartments, retirement homes (characterized by very high water consumption, hotels, restaurants, sports halls or gyms with showers ...

Solar circuit

The solar circuit, including the piping, circulation pump, valves and expansion tank (to contain the expansion of the liquid with the rising sun temperature).

Electronic Control

The electronic control unit controls the startup and shutdown of the circulation pump of the liquid solar, also can send signals to start automatically electric solenoid valves, emergency equipment such as boilers, boosters and others.

How do they work?

Discover the operation of these systems following the pattern shown on the right.

Thermal collectors (A) they have inside of the tubes inside of which flows a liquid (water + antifreeze) that when exposed to the sun gets hot. A control unit (B) measure the temperature reached by the liquid in the panel and the water contained inside the tank. If the liquid in the panels is hotter water tank, the controller starts a pump (C), which pushes the liquid into the circuit so that it passes through a coil inside the tank. Through this coil (D) is the passage of heat from the liquid water of the reservoir, which then enters the sanitary water circuit of the house (E).

WINTER
In winter or in periods of prolonged bad weather, it requires more water than the system can provide. Intervene in these cases the boiler (F), warming the water that goes into a second coil located at the top of the tank, providing useful heat to reach the desired temperature. In any case, the boiler will speak less and therefore consume less gas or diesel.

SUMMER
In summer the solar system is adequate to provide enough hot water for bathrooms, kitchen and laundry.

To understand what is the thermal system that best suits their needs must always starting from the consumption and heat the area available for placement of solar thermal (roof or ground).

The main advantages these plants are as follows:

1. High efficiency thanks to the vertical tank (you avoid mixing hot and cold water)
2. Positioning the tank inside the house (minimization of visual impact of the system).

The natural circulation solar thermal systems are so called because they exploit the properties of warm bodies to go up naturally. This is a simple and cost-effective system solution ideal for individuals and families.

How do they work?

Let's see how these plants commenting on the diagram on the right.

(A) The sun's rays heat the solar fluid (water + antifreeze) that contained in the tubes inside the collector heat rises naturally up to the tank mounted horizontally above the panels.
(B) Here the fluid yields heat to the water inside the tank, heated by the sun, enters the hydraulic system of the home health care.

WINTER
In winter or in periods of prolonged bad weather, the water heated by the sun passes through the boiler before entering the hydraulic circuit of the house. In this way the water enters into the boiler already preheated by the sun, reducing consumption of gas or diesel.

SUMMER
In summer the water heated by the sun goes directly into the hydraulic system of the home health care, with no heating from the boiler.

Heliotherm sells solar thermal siphon through the shopping visit: www.heliotherm.gr

The main advantages these systems are as follows:
1. Low cost
2. Easy installation
3. Very convenient for use mainly during summer or in places with high insolation

Natural circulation system

visit: www.heliotherm.gr

View of some facilities realised by us, from the calculations, designs, installation and operation.

Hotel Ocean Blue R.D.

Institute Padri Dehoniani Frascati Rome

IInstitute Salesiano Opera San Antonio di Andria in Puglia

Institute Diaconiano Pontassieve Florence

Hotel Dei Cavalieri - AMALFI

Boilers of accumulation