Solar hot water systems harness the suns energy to heat your water. There are generally two types of solar collectors used - a flat panel system or an evacuated tube system. Your solar system will still produce hot water on overcast days as it is either boosted with an electric element inside the tank, or a separate gas continuous flow system that kicks in if the temperature of the water in the tank is too low.
There are advantages to evacuated tube systems such as the Thermann Evacuated Tube Solar system which offers excellent efficiency and long life.
Each tube is like a little greenhouse that traps sunlight inside which is used to heat water. Because the tubes are round, they can efficiently collect heat no matter where the sun is in the sky. This is called ‘active tracking’ and ensures you have hot water all day long. In times of high sun exposure, 100% of the water within the system is heated by the solar energy, meaning you are using almost no mains power.
A common misconception of evacuated tube solar is that they only work in warmer environments, but this is not the case. Evacuated tube solar can warm water at zero temperatures and they continue to work well even in overcast conditions. This makes them just as suitable for use in the southern Australian states as well as in the northern parts of Australia.
For additional information on how Thermann evacuated solar systems work, head to www.thermann.com.au