Audio
Solar Hot Water – Evacuated Tube Collectors
Solar collectors are one of the key components of an active solar hot water system. They are responsible for collecting the sun’s energy and transferring that energy to the heat transfer fluid in the solar collectors.
Evacuated tube collectors can achieve extremely high temperatures (170°F to 350°F), making them more appropriate for cooling applications and industrial and commercial use. These collectors have rows of transparent glass tubes. Each tube contains a glass outer tube and metal absorber tube attached to a fin. The fin’s coating absorbs solar energy and reduces heat loss. An evacuated tube collector is sealed in a vacuum that minimizes heat loss and helps absorb solar energy under cloudy conditions. Because of this, there is a concern in climates similar to Colorado that evacuated tube collectors allow snow and ice to build up on the tubes, causing them to not work properly.
Speak with a certified solar installer prior to making the decision to have a solar hot water system placed in your home. The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) is the national certification organization for professional installers in the field of renewable energy. To locate a certified installer, visit NABCEP’s website at www.nabcep.org.
For more information, see: Introduction to Domestic Solar Hot Water Systems – CSU Extension
Updated Thursday, May 17, 2012