Solar Thermal Design Question

[DenaliChuck]

Hey Folks,

I've been looking around for a simple solar thermal plumbing design for my new house. I'm not looking for sizing, just a plumbing and controls schematic.

I need a design that has a solar collector, buffer tank, and electric water heater. The system would provide DHW as well as space heat via in-floor hydronic.

The primary heat load will be DHW so an electric water heater sized to accommodate the occupants, will more than supply the heat load for the house.

I plan to use a couple solar collectors, 500 gallon converted propane buffer tank, and an 80 gallon water heater (either superstor with hx and electric backup, or a marathon with an added external hx).

Can you point me to a design?

Thanks!

Chuck

 

[alex14]

Do you think that here given design are perfect or all are technical guys?

 

[begreen]

Do you think that here given design are perfect or all are technical guys?

? what?

 

[begreen]

Here's some starter documentation:
(broken link removed to http://www.wbdg.org/resources/swheating.php)
http://www.nabcep.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/FSEC_Solar_Water_and_Pool_Heating_Manual.pdf
(broken link removed to http://www.heatspring.com/cammpus-assets/courses/SolarThermal101publishedbyHeatSpring.pdf)
some examples here:
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/WaterHeating/water_heating.htm

 

[DenaliChuck]

Thanks begreen! Those look like great resources, and I haven't seen them in previous google web searches. It will take a few to go through the info there! I'll be sure to post my design for others.

Any others out there?

 

[WES999]

I have a DIY DHW system based on the Build it solar design.
It has been preforming quite well so far.

http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/WaterHeating/Metal1K/Metal1K.htm

I have two 4'x8' panels will give me 100gl of 150 water when it is sunny out.
You probably need to look closely at the feasibility of space heating as the
number of panels will be much larger than what is needed for just DHW.

 

[GaryGary]

Hi,
This one is any updated version of the $1K system mentioned above

http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/SpaceHeating/DHWplusSpace/Main.htm

It does both domestic water heating and space heating and is very simple.

I added a backup heating system that heats the solar storage tank when there is not enough solar, so now it is the only heating system for that part of the house. This gets rid of one of our two forced air furnaces.

Gary