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Introduction
Simple description of a solar heating system
ESE was a pioneer in the introduction of hermetically sealed drainback systems, which help overcome the overheating problems experienced with "traditional" solar-powered systems.
What is a solar-powered water heater?
A solar-powered water heater heats your water the whole year round (pre-heated during winter - autonomously during summer) using the best possible source of energy: the sun's rays !
The principle behind solar water heaters is simple
A solar panel is made of a selective absorbent surface which captures rays from the sun - both direct rays and diffuse rays when it is cloudy - and converts them into heat. This heat is then carried by a heat-transport fluid through a network of pipes.
The heat is transferred to a hot water storage tank. A pump circulates the heat-transport fluid between the panels and the water tank. This pump is automatically activated by the control unit when energy is needed.
Is our region sunny enough to produce hot water ? Of course !
In our region, three quarters of all the sun's rays (1100-1800 kWh/m2) are produced between April and September. This is why if there is not enough sun to produce the desired water temperature throughout the whole year (45-60°C maximum for domestic use), the water will be pre-heated by the sun and a back-up energy supply will provide any additional heating needed.
This back-up power can be provided by a boiler, an instantaneous water heater or an electric resistance heater. If there is a lot of sun during the day, water temperature often exceeds 45°C in both winter and summer. The solar-powered water heater therefore provides all the hot water you need, and the back-up energy supply is hardly needed, if at all.
Examples of the amount of heating power provided by solar energy
