You need a Good Path For Solar Lines from Collectors to Solar Storage Tank:

You need a good "path" for your two solar lines and wires to go from your tank to your south* facing roof. It is desirable that this "path" be under 40 feet (one way), but up to 80 feet (if well insulated) is OK.

You will be running 2 1/2" outside diameter copper tubes with a minimum of 1/2" thick high temperature insulation. You will also be running at least one wire set on the outside of the insulation for either power from a PV panel to the pump or a sensor wire for a differential controller. Horizontal lines need to be supported every 6'. See system 3 diagram.

For PV pumped Open Loop systems 1 and 3, a second wire set may be needed for a freeze snap switch. The Installation Manuals have good guidance on running solar lines.

You will need a large enough storage tank or enough room for an added solar tank.

What Solar Energy System and Size System is Best for Me?

Sizing Your System:

Note: Smaller system providing as little as 30% of your hot water can be very efficient and cost effective! If the budget is tight, consider getting a smaller system. More panels can be added later. The important thing is to take that important first step to go solar!

General Sizing Guidelines: See System Reference Chart.

Systems 1 and 3: For 75 to 90% coverage in warmer, sunny areas, use two 1001 collectors or one 2001 collector (20 square feet) for each two to three people in the household. For example, a family of 4 should have four 1001 collectors or two 2001 collector (40 square feet).

Systems 5: For 60 to 70% coverage in areas subject to hard freeze and a lot of clouds, start with four 1001 or two 2001 collectors for the first two people and then two 1001 collectors or one 2001 collector for every additional two people. For example, a family of 4 should have six 1001 collectors or three 2001 collector (40 square feet).

Solar Energy Water Heater System Storage:

TROPICAL AND TEMPERATE SYSTEMS: You may be able to use your existing electric water heater for open loop systems 3 Temperate, or you can add a low cost water heater for solar storage to your existing water heater.

You need at least 1 gallon of storage for each square foot of collector area. It is desirable that your storage tank be at least 50 gallons of storage for up to 40 square feet of collector area, although a 40 gallon water heater can work well with up to 30 square feet of collector area. Generally, the larger the water heater the better, up to 2.5 gallons per square foot of collector area in sunny areas.

FREEZE PROTECTED SYSTEMS: Systems 5 use an excellent Rheem / Rudd or Richmond (all the same manufacturer) 80 Gallon Storage tank with a very efficient 120' "wrap around" heat exchanger.

Open systems 1 and 3

Are for or Tropical Climate (GREEN) or Temperate Climate (ORANGE) With these systems the solar loop is open to water pressure.

These systems are excellent where there is anywhere from no freeze potential to where there is light freeze potential when used with Temperate Climate freeze protection options.

"Closed Loop" Systems 5

Are for Freeze Climates (Blue) The solar loop is separated from water pressure by a heat exchanger. These systems are not subject to freeze damage when properly installed. Can be used in hard freeze areas if drained in freeze.

See Solar Energy Water Heaters System Reference Chart

Going Solar - Introduction to Solar Water Heating

A little reading here will answer a lot of questions!

Because of their low cost and high power density, mid-temperature Solar Water Heaters have always been the first thing to do when "going solar" but their great weight made the installation very difficult and expensive.


The Revolutionary Lightweight, Attractive Design of the "Skyline" Solar Water Heater changes that paradigm and makes solar water heating truly practical for everyone.


The Federal 30% Tax Credit and Fast Rising Fuel Costs Make Now The Time to Install a Solar Water Heating System!

Solar (domestic) water heaters are a cost-effective way to generate hot water for your home. They can be used in any climate, and the fuel they use, sunshine, is free!

On average, water heaters use as much energy as a medium-sized car uses in a year. Each installed solar water heater is like increasing the fuel mileage on the family car by over 60%.

Supplementing millions of existing water heaters with SolarRoofs' advanced solar thermal water heaters frees up huge amounts of limited energy resources that can then be used to produce electricity.

What Do I Need to Go Solar?

You Need a Southern Orientation Space for Solar Collectors:

Because the sun rises in the East, crosses over the horizon on the South and sets in the West, you want your collector to face as much to True South on your roof as possible. This is especially true for space heating where you need to be within 15 degrees of True South.

Up to 45 degrees East or West of true South has very little effect on year round domestic water heating. While less desirable, a West or even an East facing water heating system can work well especially with an additional collector. Orientations over 45 degrees, such as a home with a North, South ridge line can tilt the collectors South with a SolarRoofs tilt kit.

While most collectors are mounted on the roof, many have been mounted on the ground, or like an awning on the side of the house. Vertical mounting of collectors on the south roof is great for space heating.

Naturally it is important that there not be any shading where the collectors will go!

You Need a Good Collector Tilt:

The collector angle (known as tilt) should be at least 15 degrees up from horizontal, (a typical roof angle is 22 to 32 degrees) additional tilt usually has little effect on total year round performance unless you are in an area with very sunny winters like Colorado.

A tilt angle equal to latitude is considered ideal for space heating. Because the winter sun is so low in the sky, great results have been obtained by having collectors flush on a vertical wall for space heating, which also prevents summer overheating.

Naturally it is important that there not be any shading where the collectors will go!

You Need Space for Solar Collectors:

SolarRoofs 1001 and 2001 Solar Collectors:

These rugged, powerful 10 and 20 Square foot collectors weigh only 19 and 38 pounds. They are easy to carry by one person and are much safer to get on the roof to install. They are available in architectural colors and have an attractive appearance on the roof. No soldering is required to install the collector (s).

The Skyline 1001

Collector weighs 19 pounds and measures 6' long x 20" wide by 3' thick. The feed and return are at one end. They have a 2" space between them and up to 6, 1001 collectors can be stacked one above the other or up to 12 in a stacked, side by side configuration. These are the ideal, easy to install, light weight collector.


The Skyline 2001

Collector weighs 38 pounds and measures 12' long x 20" wide by 3' thick. The feed and return are at one end. They have a 2" space between them and up to 4, 1001 collectors can be stacked one above the other or up to 8 in a stacked, side by side configuration. 2001 collectors have custom options feed through and turnaround collectors extending up to 60' with one feed and return. They are ideal for commercial applications.