Reach for the sun ... go solar!

Along with the possibilty of constant power outages this winter, we may also be faced with a looming water crisis. You may have to bath or shower in cold water. We’ve taken a look at another possible solution to keep the water flowing in your home this winter ...

A Solar Water Heater (SWH) is a device that uses solar energy to heat water. Solar Water Heaters have several advantages over conventional water heating systems. For consumers, they save electrical energy. They require little or no care and attention while providing hot water all year round. For society at large, they reduce the need for fossil fuels for electrical generation and for fuels such as firewood, coal, furnace oil, etc, that are used in domestic, commercial and industrial boilers. Thereby, they also reduce degradation of the environment.

Why should you install solar water heating?

Solar water heating has been used commercially around the world for more than 50 years. In several countries it is mandatory to have a solar water system in every home.
Here is why more and more homeowners across Africa are installing solar water heating:

• Free hot water - An average sunny day in Africa generates sufficient solar energy to provide all your hot water without using electricity.
• Saving - a solar system is the only appliance in a home that actually SAVES MONEY
• An Investment - Installing a solar water heating system adds to the value of your property and constantly saves you on running costs.
• Environmentally Friendly - Solar energy is clean energy - no pollution and no exploitation of limited natural resources.
• Independence - With a solar water heating system you will have hot water even during blackouts and erratic power supply.



What different types of solar heating does one get?

Generally two systems are available. The direct circulation system, circulates household water through the collectors and into the home. This system works well in a climate where temperature rarely drop to freezing point, Gauteng not being suitable in winter. The other, the indirect circulation system, circulates a non-freeze, heat transfer fluid through the collectors and a heat exchanger. This then heats the water that flows into the home. This system is popular and recommended where temperatures do tend to drop.




We Install Solar Water Heating !!!

SOLCO installs indirect solar water heating systems that are freeze-protected. The solar energy heats a non-toxic antifreeze fluid that transfers the solar energy to your hot water through a heat exchanger. The solar heated water is stored in a solar storage tank. This serves as a preheater for an electric or fuelfired water heater. When solar energy is abundant, the back-up water heater is seldom needed. The best site for solar water collectors is a north sloping pitched roof that has minimal shading from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Benefits of having a SOLCO solar heating system installed

1. Cost Savings
In the average home almost half of the electricity consumption is attributed to heating water. A SunTank system is capable of saving you 90% of the water heating costs, reducing your electricity bill by nearly half.

2. Guarantee
5 Year Guarantee on our SOLAR WATER heating products, while the expected life span is more than 20 years

3. Aesthetically Pleasing Installation
Our split system option allows for a unobtrusive installation. The storage tank may be installed inside the roof to reduce the effect of the system on the aesthetics of the
house.

4. Environmentally Friendly
Solar energy is clean energy - no pollution and no exploitation of limited natural resources

5. Professional workmanship
Our installation technicians will have your installation done to the highest possible
standards – most installations only taking a day to complete.

6. We sell Indirect heating systems
In climates prone to freezing temperatures in winter – Like Gauteng and surrounds –
these are the ONLY systems that work. Direct systems are cheaper but are high risk,
as they are likely to burst in winter.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. How does a Solar Water Heating (SWH) system work?

The basic design of a solar geyser is based on a collector box assembly situated below a storage tank. Within the box is an absorber made of black copper sheets, to the back of which are attached copper pipelines. The absorber is covered with a transparent glass and insulated at the back and sides to reduce heat losses. The collector works like a miniature greenhouse trapping heat that is transferred to the water in the pipes. Cold water flows from the bottom of the storage tank to the collector, from which heated water rises to the top of the storage tank. To maintain the functioning of the system, a constant supply of cold water must be available, for which an overhead storage tank on the roof is convenient.

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