Solar Water Heater

A solar water heater is a combination of three elements:
1. A solar collector is an energy device that is designed to absorb solar radiation and transfer the energy to the energy transfer fluid or material passing through the collector.
2. The energy transfer medium transfers the absorbed heat to the water, through conduction or convection. The type of material used is dependent on the design and needs of the installation. Where the possibility of the transfer medium freezing is a concern, the liquid used should be mixed with a non-toxic coloured anti-freeze liquid and a corrosion inhibitor.
3. And finally thermally insulated hot water storage vessel or geyser with a protected inner lining, copper, steel or a polymer is needed. There are solar water heating systems that work on low pressure, but most are pressurised from 100 k.P.a to 600 k.P.a depending on the materials used. (Note: the municipal water supply comes in at a high pressure) The solar water system tanks/storage vessels should always be larger than conventional household geysers. This is because the sun is heating the total volume of hot water that is required for the day. In order for your conventional 150 litre electric geyser to heat 300 litres it will need to work on a cycle and heat the extra body of water as well.