Propylene glycol and the new bio green are common antifreeze materials we have several options for exchanging the heat to the clean domestic hot water.
Closed loop solar water heater.
Heat exchangers in the storage tank eliminate a pump but make eventual tank replacement more.
A special water heater tank incorporating a heat exchanger works in conjunction with one or more flat plate roof mounted collectors.
Closed loop active antifreeze systems are the most versatile and failsafe of all the solar supplemental water heating systems.
Freeze protection is necessary in cold climates.
The heated water then flows into the storage tank before it s channeled into the heat exchanger.
These systems are preferable in climates where it rarely freezes.
Closed loop solar water heaters have few limitations with collector placement the collector loop is antifreeze filled and are permanently charged.
Closed loop solar water heater systems sometimes referred to as anti freeze or glycol systems include the heat collectors insulated piping a circulating pump an expansion tank a hot water storage tank a heat exchanger solar fluid usually a solution of water and nontoxic propylene glycol antifreeze a controller valves and gauges.
Glycol or some equivalent antifreeze fluid fills.
Here s how a solar powered water heater works.
The heated water is then stored in a tank sent to a tankless water heater or used directly.
When the controller senses that the sun is shining and your tank needs a warm up it signals the pump to send water through the black collector panels.
The sun s thermal.
Closed loop and drainback solar water heaters drainback and closed loop systems provide freeze protection for year round operation in cold climates.
Most new solar homes feature a variation of one kind or another.