Mounting

The collector should ideally be mounted to face south and the optimum angle of mounting is equal to the degree of latitude plus 15 degrees (Figure 6.7). This is easily achieved for a flat roof. For a pitched roof, the collector is generally mounted parallel to the roof or for a new build can form part of the roof. If it is possible to adjust the collector angle, then an angle of 30º in summer and an angle of 70º in winter as the sun is lower in the sky are optimal.

The roof construction needs to be such that it can carry the additional mass of the solar collector; otherwise it may need some additional structural members. This is one of the checks that your installer needs to carry out.

Connecting to the hot water supply

If the solar water heater is to be added to an existing supply, then the hot water cylinder will require two heat transfer coils; one for transferring the heat from the solar water collector and the other for the auxiliary water heater. This enables the temperature of the hot water to be maintained if there is insufficient solar radiation to heat the water.

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