Other posts have discussed light commercial systems for restaurants and other similar businesses. But what if you need a solar thermal system with a bit more uumph? Here’s the recipe for a solar hot water system that would be perfect for, say, apartment buildings or hotels. It provides 330 gallons of hot water per hour, […]
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Pressure or drainback? That’s probably the question I get asked more than any other: Should I choose the more popular pressure-glycol system, or go with a drainback system? Here’s the answer: It depends. Don’t you hate that kind of answer? Well, here’s a more specific answer: If the slope of the collectors and plumbing is […]
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Today, as part of our ongoing series of basic solar designs, we look at a drainback system using an efficient solar storage tank and a tankless water heater as backup. This design is fairly uncomplicated and is, perhaps, the least costly system for residential applications. For all its simplicity, it delivers freeze and overheat protection […]
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Out with the old (over complicated, expensive solar). In with the new (better and more efficient solar at lower cost). Case in point: the Minneapolis- St. Paul international Airport’s cutting-edge solar thermal system with a new innovative design approach. Two decades ago, conventional solar called for installing a water heater or, for larger systems, a […]
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