Solar Solutions
Flat plate technology
What is the difference?
These collectors are made up of long black copper piping with fins inside an insulated aluminum frame, covered with a 4mm tempered glass pane (looks like a skylight). Panel’ sizes consist of either 1,5m2 collectors for 100lt geysers or 2m2 collectors for 150 and 200lt geysers. Maximum operating pressure on both sizes is 600kpa. Maximum operating temperature is <200 degree Celsius.
The collectors work as follows: the collector gets installed on a north (preferred), east or west facing roof at more or less a 30 degree angle, taking care that no trees or buildings will cast a shadow on these panels. This will ensure that the collector is in direct sunlight for most of the day. Water is then continuously circulated between the geyser and the collector via an intelligent pump system during daytime hours. As the water runs through the black copper piping it collects the direct sunlight and heats up. The water circulates at a rate of 6-9lt per minute and heats up a couple of degrees on each cycle. The temperature reached depends on how hot the solar rays is on a particular day. On average a summers day +/-80 degrees Celsius can be achieved and on an average winters day +/-60 degrees. The collectors have an average lifespan of 20 years. The flat plate technology has been used in South Africa for over 50 years and has proved to be reliable and affordable.
