What are the types of solar thermal collectors?
There can be evacuated tube and flat plate collectors.
Evacuated tube collectors are divided into the following categories:
1.a) Direct-flow evacuated-tube collectors;
2.b) U-type solar collectors;
3.c) Heat pipe evacuated-tube collectors.
What is the possibility to connect a non-pressure solar water heater to the pressure water supply system?
It is done by employing the float mechanism, similar to the one used in the toilet tank. When the water level drops, the float sinks and opens the water tap. With the water level in the tank rising, the float rises as well and when it reaches a certain level, it stops the water inflow.
Will the water be heated on a cloudy day?
Yes. The efficiency of the solar collector is lower during the cloudy days yet it is still produces the energy necessary for heating. On a very cloudy or rainy day, additional power and gas energy will be needed in order for the water to reach the required temperature. This system is automated, so you will not have to worry about running out of hot water on a rainy day.
What happens if one of the solar collector tubes break?
The tubes are very strong and not fragile. In a worst case scenario, they are easy to replace. They are not expensive and you can purchase them in our shop. Solar collectors can operate even with a few tubes yet their efficiency decreases; therefore, it is recommended to replace broken tubes immediately.
Is the amount of sun in Lithuania is enough?
The average of the sunny days in the coastal area reaches up to 1840-1900 hours every year. In the eastern part of the country it is no more than 1700 hours per year. The maximum duration of sunlight in Nida reaches up to 1908 hours per year.
Which solar collectors are applicable in Lithuania?
We recommend evacuated tube solar collectors
What is the difference between the evacuated and the flat plate solar collector?
The difference between the evacuated tube and the flat plate solar collector is related to the fact that due to their technical qualities, the flat plat collectors do not heat efficiently enough in lower temperatures, whereas evacuated tube collectors provide heat even in sub-zero temperatures. For example, with sufficient sunlight, the evacuated tube collector can heat water in 200-litre boiler in a day.
Will the water be heated on a cloudy day?
Yes. Even though the release of heat on a cloudy day is lower, it will continue to heat the water. If a day is very cloudy and rainy, the automation will turn on the electric heater which is connected to the boiler.
What happens if one tube in the construction is broken?
First of all, the tubes are strong and not easily broken. Should this happen, the solar collector tubes are easily replaceable. Solar collectors can operate even with a few tubes yet their efficiency decreases.
Can solar collectors be installed on the ground?
Solar collector can be installed on the ground; for such installation, they must have a specially adapted system of holders (the standard frame). Evacuated tube solar collectors are the best for installation on the ground, because they consist of glass tubes with gaps between them, therefore, less snow is accumulated in winter. The flat plate solar collectors consist of continuous planes and if installed on the ground, more snow will accumulate on them.
Can solar thermal collectors be installed on a flat surface?
Yes. They can be installed on a flat roof or on the ground. The minimum degree of installation is 20º in order to ensure the most optimal operation of heat pipes.
What maintenance does a solar collector require?
In normal conditions, the system does not require any maintenance. Thanks to the shape of tubes, water and wind should clean them. Should they break, they must be replaced immediately. Yet it is not an expensive or a difficult work to do
Which solar systems are applicable in Lithuania?
We recommend only double-walled evacuated tube solar collectors. Also the most effective ones are the collectors with water in the tubes. Heat pipe collectors have certain efficiency limits and, therefore, they are not the most efficient, if the most popular in Lithuania at the moment. This is related to their slightly lower price yet they require more maintenance (because of their pressure-based system).
Are solar collectors designed for drying or preparation of hot air?
Preparation of the hot air flow has not been analysed much. The potential to use it in the industry, for production and in the household is very great. This would help to save a great deal. The use of energy to heat the air is a process of low efficiency because of the small thermal tank. Such devices are of high power and in Lithuania, it is possible to use standard and little known solutions. All it takes is to have at least the minimal knowledge about the costs (expenses) of hot air preparation.
What should I do if I have a boiler or a heater?
If you have a heater and a boiler, the connection of the solar collector to the existing system is even simpler; it will only take to connect an additional one-coil-pipe boiler and we will have a system, where the boiler will work as it used to an the solar collector will work through the autonomous boiler and transfer water to the other boiler. In this case, the sun will heat the water in both boilers. During the spring–autumn period, it will allow to use the potential of the solar collector to the maximum because it will heat the water and the boiler will provide additional heat in order to reach the required temperature.
