What is solar radiation?
Solar radiation is radiant energy emitted by the sun, particularly
electromagnetic energy. Basically it means how much sun-light
shining down on us.
How does Solar Geyser
Direct work?
Solar Geyser Direct relies on warm water rising, a phenomenon known
as natural convection, to circulate water through the evacuated
glass tube collector and to the tank. Hot water storage tank is
located above the absorber evacuated glass tubes. As water in the
absorber heats, it becomes lighter and naturally rises into the tank
above. Meanwhile, cooler water in the tank flows downwards into the
absorber, thus causing circulation throughout the system.
Yes, in sunny days Solar Geyser Direct can bring water to boiling
point.
What happens if the Evacuated Glass Tubes are damaged or broken?
Firstly, tubes are very strong and not easily broken, but if the
worst should happen, solar tubes can be replaced very easily. They
are available though your local Solar Geyser Direct distributor. It
is recommended that broken tubes be replaced immediately.
Is Solar Geyser Direct a viable alternative to gas or electricity?
Yes, Solar Geyser Direct System is an alternative to gas or
electricity boosted geysers in the some areas of Pakistan. Averaged
over a year, a correctly sized Solar Geyser Direct System can
provide 80% to 100% of a household's hot water needs. The hot water
system can easily be automated with the natural gas boosted or
electric geyser so hot water is guaranteed regardless of sunlight
levels.
How long
will it take to recoup my investment?
Solar Geyser Direct are much more affordable than many other solar
hot water heaters. For a household of 4, the price of a full system
may not be too much more than a new electric or gas boosted geysers.
Depending on your location (solar levels) and current hot water
usage the annual electricity or gas saving will differ. However in a
normal household that spends 35% of its electricity bill on hot
water heating, the full cost of the purchase may be recouped as
quickly as 3-4 years in reduced bills. You will definitely make
considerable savings during the life of the Solar Geyser Direct.
Can
Solar Geyser Direct be use in cold conditions?
Yes, Solar Geyser Direct can be used in temperatures as low as -10°
C, although performance is reduced in such extreme conditions but
Good heat output is still achieved in mild sub-zero conditions as
long as there is sunlight.
Will water be heated
on a cloudy day?
Yes. Although the heat output of the solar collector is reduced on
overcast days it will still be able to provide heating. If it is a
heavily clouded day or raining, then more gas or electric boosting
may be required to maintain water at the required temperature. This
system will be automated with the existing natural gas boosted
geyser or electric geyser, so you don't have to worry about running
out of hot water on a rainy day.
Normally yes. Simple retrofit valves can often be used to allow
Solar Geyser Direct to connect to your existing geyser; the hot
water system can easily be automated so hot water is guaranteed
regardless of sunlight levels.
How can I be sure of the quality and performance of your products?
The range of Solar Geyser Direct meet the rigorous tests set by the
relevant industry standards and are made from the high quality
components backed by generous warranties. At the end of the day, the
quality and reliability of our products and the service we provide
as a customer is best demonstrated by our customers. We receive
regular praise from customers and have included some of their
testimonials on our website (click here for testimonials).
What maintenance of the Solar Geyser Direct is required?
Under normal circumstances no maintenance of the system is required.
Due to the shape of the tubes regular rainfall and wind should keep
the tubes clean. Should a tube even be broken it should be replaced.
This, however, is an inexpensive and easy job. Any "handy" person
can install a new tube.
Will the Solar Geyser Direct be a fire hazard during hot, dry
weather?
No. The Solar Geyser Directs components are all high temperature
rated and non-flammable so even during strong sunlight, the system
will not catch a light or give off any sparks. The majority of the
Solar Geyser Directs components are stainless steel, aluminium and
glass.
Can Solar Geyser Direct be used for a large scale hot water
production?
Yes. Solar Geyser Direct can be connected in series or parallel to
provide large scale hot water production for a commercial setting
such as a school, hotel or office building. There is really no limit
to the size of the system, however collectors must be installed in
banks of no more than 150 tubes (in series), otherwise the water may
boil.
Can I heat my swimming pool using a Solar Geyser Direct?
Solar Geyser Direct Collectors are high temperature collectors, and
are therefore ideal for spas, as the volume of water is small and
temperature requirements high. For swimming pools, however, the
volume of water is large and the temperature rise required is only
several degrees. The cost of heating a pool using evacuated glass
tube collectors (for domestic purposes) may be prohibitively high.
For large scale swimming pools, however, Solar Geyser Direct
collectors may be an extremely viable supplement to gas or
electricity.
Due to the cylindrical shape of the evacuated tube, the solar
tubes are able to passively track the sun throughout the day.
Flat plate collector only provide peak energy output at midday
when the sun is perpendicular to the collector's surface.
Air is evacuated from the solar evacuated glass tubes to form a
vacuum. This greatly reduces conductive and convective heat loss
from the interior of the tube. As a result wind and cold
temperatures have less effect on the efficiency of the evacuated
tube collector.
Solar Geyser Direct Collectors can often be used in subzero
temperatures without the system sustaining damage. Flat plate
systems often require expensive and complicated "antifreeze"
systems to be installed.
Evacuated tubes are strong, long lasting, and should one be
broken, inexpensive and easy to replace. If a flat plate
collector panel is damaged the whole panel must be replaced.
Due to the high efficiency absorption of solar radiation even
during overcast conditions, combined with excellent insulative
properties of the solar tube, solar tube collectors can heat
water all year round. (backup from gas and electricity is still
required).
Due to the various advantages of evacuated tube collector over
flat plate collectors, a smaller collector can be used to
provide the same heating performance. For example, a standard
household of 4-5 people would usually require a 150-250L water
storage tank. Depending on your location, only 30 evacuated
tubes would be required to provide all summer hot water needs
and a large percentage in other seasons.
Flat plate solar collectors can produce similar heat output to
evacuated tube collectors, but generally only during warm,
still, sunny conditions. When averaged over an entire year,
evacuated tube collector heat output per net m2 of absorber
area, is between 25% to 50% greater that a flat plate collector.
How long does it take to install my Solar Geyser Direct?
Installation is easy. Because Solar Geyser Direct Systems are
lightweight, modular and include comprehensive installation
instructions, you can expect an average installation to take 3-8
hours, depending on if you are retrofitting an existing home or new
home and how experienced and knowledgeable the plumber is.
Are Solar Geyser
Directs expensive?
No. In the long term, a Solar Geyser Direct can save you up to 80%
of your household's electricity or gas expenses and over a 20 year
period is considerably cheaper than buying a straight electric or
gas geyser due to the much lower running costs of a Solar Geyser
Direct system.
How
many people will the Solar Geyser Direct service?
There are several types and sizes of Solar Geyser Direct Systems
available depending on the number of bathrooms and people living in
the home. There are systems to suit every home.
How does using
solar help the environment?
Using solar and other forms of renewable energy reduces reliance on
fossil fuels for energy production, thus directly reducing CO2
emissions. CO2 emissions contribute to global warming, an
environmental issue which is now of great concern. The average
household can reduce CO2 emissions by as much as 20% by installing a
Solar Geyser Direct System.
