Do I need glazing on my solar collectors?

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yonny24
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Do I need glazing on my solar collectors?

Postby yonny24 » Mon 02 Dec, 2019 09:24

Hi all,

I have just installed 12m2 of solar collectors on the top of a pergola. (8 panels of 0.5 x 3m)
The panels sit on 2x1 planks with about 2 inch gap between the planks.

We live next to the coast and always seem to have a prevailing wind. Uruguay, South America.
I'm struggling to get sufficient heat from the collectors even on hot days 28-30c.

Would it be worthwhile covering the panels with glazing? I am thinking 4mm Polycarbonate - double wall which is readily available here.

The surface area of the pool is only 11m2.
Pump is 0.5hp (17,000 litres per hour).

I am suspecting the wind across the panels and through the pergola is contributing to significant heat loss even though the sun's rays here are very strong.
We have friends who live in sheltered areas here and have their panels on solid roofs and have much better heating output.

Also I think the water flow is very high through the 8 panels.

Thanks
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yonny24
I'm new here
I'm new here
Posts: 9
Joined: Mon 02 Sep, 2019 07:05
My Pool: 18,000 litres
Salt
Filter: Volcano VC30
Pump: 0.5 HP
JustChlor J100SC

Re: Do I need glazing on my solar collectors?

Postby yonny24 » Mon 02 Dec, 2019 12:58

Read here that the loose tube type (like mine) are prone to heat loss with windy conditions!

https://www.tryonsolar.com/frequent-questions/

I have purchased some black weaved sheeting to sit underneath to at least block the wind blowing through the tubes before I consider glazing.
paulpsps
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Re: Do I need glazing on my solar collectors?

Postby paulpsps » Thu 12 Dec, 2019 19:53

yonny24 wrote:Read here that the loose tube type (like mine) are prone to heat loss with windy conditions!

https://www.tryonsolar.com/frequent-questions/

I have purchased some black weaved sheeting to sit underneath to at least block the wind blowing through the tubes before I consider glazing.

Just lookin at this I see that the surface area I. The sun is equal to the area in the shade.
What you need is some thing that would reflect the heat back into the shady side of the heater instead of letting it get carriages away with the wind. Black absorbs heat and radiates it well though as a reflector you could do better. So an insulator covered with a foil reflector have you seen the foam covers with foils? Or even a paint on wood with high amounts of titanium dioxide Zinnser Bulseye 123?


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Denniswiseman
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Re: Do I need glazing on my solar collectors?

Postby Denniswiseman » Fri 13 Dec, 2019 03:16

You are only getting what solar gain there is hitting the tube
You need to enclose it to create a greenhouse effect
Imagine a greenhouse with no sides, it wouldn't get very warm inside

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