News and events

06/11/2009
Households must prepare for electricity hikes
Households will face a massive increase of their electricity bill over the next years...

10/09/2009
Eskom warns of high tariffs
Eskom warns of high tariff hikes for years

25/08/2009
Checklist before buying a solar system
Any system that combines water under pressure with heat energy can be potentially dangerous when not handled with care...

Browse our products

How does the solar system work?

 The solar system follows three basic steps:



Energy collection
Solar collectors on the roof absorb the incoming solar radiation and 
convert it to heat energy.

Energy transfer
Circulating fluids (water or a mixture of antifreeze and water) are
heated in the collector and transfer the heat to the water storage tank.

Energy storage
Solar-heated water is stored in the insulated water storage tank until   
needed.

There are two different systems of solar water heaters:

Active systems use pumps to circulate water or the heat transfer fluid. The water storage tank can be kept anywhere in the house. Passive systems work without pumps. The circulation is achieved by natural thermo siphon principle according to which hot fluids rise naturally through the collector. In this case the water storage tank must be fixed above the collector.

Solar water heaters are also classified by the type of circulation loop used to transmit and deliver heat:

Direct circulation system
• Drinking water circulates through the system, is heated in the collector and stored in the water storage tank. It is also called open-looped system.
• Suitable only in climates without freezing temperatures
• As drinking water runs through the collector, it may become filthy

Indirect circulation system
• Instead of drinking water a heat-transfer fluid circulates through the system, usually a mixture of glycol and water or alcohol). It is also called closed-looped system.
• This fluid is heated in the collector and transmits the heat through the heat exchanger in the water storage tank
• The quality of the drinking water in the water storage tank remains pure
• The system also works in climates with freezing temperatures
• The water storage tank is additionally fitted with an electrical heating element in case the system supplies little or no heat due to bad weather condition

Contact Us
tel. +27 82 461 4481
info@solarspace.co.za

Copyright 2008 Solar Space. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use    Privacy Policy    Sitemap