How To Protect The Collectors Of Your Solar Water Heating System?
Every part of a solar water heating system is essential and that includes the collectors. The collectors of a solar water heating system are known to collect the sunlight or solar energy to turn it into heat energy. So, if these collectors are not maintained properly, the whole solar water heating system will stop working. One of the problems that occur with a solar water heating system is that on the hot days these collectors tend to overheat.
On a hot summer day, the collectors absorb solar energy more than normal and the solar water heater generates enormous amounts of heat. But the demand for hot water decreases on a hot day, especially for domestic purposes. This gives birth to a condition known as stagnation.
Stagnation is the situation which occurs when the water storage tank heats up to maximum temperature very early in the day. In turn, the movements through the solar collector stops and thus the fluid present in the system starts to get hotter and hotter. This results in a high pressure due to the high temperature that can damage the system in long run. It usually happens due to the contraction and expansion of the system due to heating and cooling.
Also, when the anti-freeze gets overheated every day, it can become acidic which will then react with all the other elements and becomes corrosive. This corrosive element if circulates throughout the system, it will break down all the components in the long run.
In order to keep your solar water heating system running in the long run, you will need to give your solar collectors some overheating protection. The easiest way to do that is to cover your panels or collectors. If your system has accessible flat plate panels, cover them with sheets of plywood. But this is mostly possible if it is installed on the ground. The plywood sheets should fit the panel exactly so that not only it covers it wholly but it also doesn’t damage the panels due to wind.
If your solar water heating system consists of an evacuated solar tube, you can use a customized shade screen to cover them during the hot days. Make sure this shade screen is made with good material that won’t damage your system in any way but can also prevent the collectors from overheating.
Therefore, if you have a solar water heating system in your home, you should take care of your system and prevent overheating.
