How can I build a closed loop solar system and not have it overheat in the summer when I go on Holidays?
Jan
Over Heating my Solar System
Tags: overheating solar system, too much heat for solar thermal, vacation by pass solar thermal
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Jan, Great Question!
A very easy way to ensure your solar heating system does not get too hot when there is no demand, such as holidays, is to build a manual or automatic heat dissipation zone. This can be as simple as opening up a valve and diverting the solar heat to a small external radiator. Generally I suggest the radiator be out of the sun or on a North Wall or under a deck. This will then allow you the piece of mind that the heat from your solar panels is being reduced when you are not using it for long periods. Generally one heat dissipator will handle upto 2 of our TZ58-1800 30R evacuated tube collectors.
Another idea is to palce the heat disipator in a garage allowing you to move the heat in the winter time and heat your garage.
evacuated tube solar panels…
How can I build a closed loop solar system and not have it overheat in the summer when I go on Holid [...]…
Over heating can be the biggest issue with solar. There are a few things you can do when on holidays to avoid over heating.
First depending on the type of controller you are using you may be able to set it for night time cooling. this woudl allow the solar to circulate and draw heat off the storage tank at nights. 2nd iand perhaps most important is sizing of the solar collector. Large storage tank with properly sized collectors should allow you to go away without problems. Third is to add a holiday dissipater and use a forced air fan. This is usually the home air exchanger system which is always circulating fresh air and dumping air out side. You can place a small radiator over this and you will have a perfect disipation loop. You can make this manual and use two valves to bypass the solar into the radiator when you are on holidays. The air exchanger in most cases is located very close to the water tank or utility room. Finally, never be scared of stagnation. If you have sized your system correctly with proper pressure levels and a large expansion tank, then stagnation is part of the solars natural “off” cycle. If you are using solar glycol the stagnation periods will do little harm to your glycol and should be able to handle your absense for a few weeks.