Solar Geyser options

I.am.Sam

I.am.Sam

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so my sister is building 3 units by my parents place

on the plan it says we need to install solar geysers

whats the costing for solar geysers and im sure adding just one big 200l should be fine

or what the other options for solar geysers
 
Can only speak for the single plate collector (1 panel) and 200l geyser - work on +-R24k
Can also get the vacuum tubes which are a bit more expensive but heat up faster.
 
have squiz here

Vacuum tube solar Geyser

So I did a lot of research regarding solar geysers with the current and expected increases from E-scum. Would prefer to contribute less to ceo bonuses. I did a lot of reading and decided on the following system. I decided to share my experience as this might help someone else. They system...
mybroadband.co.za mybroadband.co.za
 
The flat plates is the better option in SA. The tubes tend to overheat the system. The flat plates need a good angle to the sun. The tubes work great on shady or south facing roofs.

I have a north-north east facing roof, I am looking to get the ITS larger flat plate for a 150l geyser. ITS panels have longer warrantees than other panels.
 
I.am.Sam said:
so my sister is building 3 units by my parents place

on the plan it says we need to install solar geysers

whats the costing for solar geysers and im sure adding just one big 200l should be fine

or what the other options for solar geysers
Click to expand...
plan says solar geysers, but the regulation is that 50% hot water needs to be heated by something other than electricty (eskom/municpal)
So you can use either gas, solar or heat pump.
My choice would be to save the roof space for solar panels (+inverter and batteries) and use that to heat the water if the budget allows
 
rodga said:
plan says solar geysers, but the regulation is that 50% hot water needs to be heated by something other than electricty (eskom/municpal)
So you can use either gas, solar or heat pump.
My choice would be to save the roof space for solar panels (+inverter and batteries) and use that to heat the water if the budget allows
Click to expand...
I would say the panel or tubes system saves on roof space. You need about 2-3 pv solar panels to equal 1 flat plate. Having 1 system is an advantage though. It does make sense to upscale a solar system to include water heating, but a flat plate system is so much cheaper than having to buy a massive solar system.
 
Benedict A55h0le said:
I would say the panel or tubes system saves on roof space. You need about 2-3 pv solar panels to equal 1 flat plate. Having 1 system is an advantage though. It does make sense to upscale a solar system to include water heating, but a flat plate system is so much cheaper than having to buy a massive solar system.
Click to expand...
True but the one can only be used for heating water. During the day. The other can heat water any time as long as you have battery power and then you can also use it for any other requirements.
 
rodga said:
True but the one can only be used for heating water. During the day. The other can heat water any time as long as you have battery power and then you can also use it for any other requirements.
Click to expand...
I do not use much electricity, so to cut down on electricity cost, a flat plate system is best bang for buck. I can always get a small solar system later, I think this option will also save on roof space for me.
 
this just popped into my inbox


havent looked into it yet, but may be an option
 
rodga said:
plan says solar geysers, but the regulation is that 50% hot water needs to be heated by something other than electricty (eskom/municpal)
So you can use either gas, solar or heat pump.
My choice would be to save the roof space for solar panels (+inverter and batteries) and use that to heat the water if the budget allows
Click to expand...

so budget doesnt even allow for a solar geyser but yeah maybe we need to see a gas heater might be better option even
 
I.am.Sam said:
so budget doesnt even allow for a solar geyser but yeah maybe we need to see a gas heater might be better option even
Click to expand...
You can fit a gas booster to a solar geyser system, but gas is much more expensive than sunlight. A tenant will not like to have to pay for gas for water heating.
 
Benedict A55h0le said:
You can fit a gas booster to a solar geyser system, but gas is much more expensive than sunlight. A tenant will not like to have to pay for gas for water heating.
Click to expand...

thats what the architect said

and cause its 3 bathrooms you need 300l so 2*150l

and cheaper to run a solar system over time than a gas system
 
I.am.Sam said:
are these solar that switch over when days are dark ?
Click to expand...
So this setup is not intelligent enough to do that - the geyser is on a smart switch that turns on for an hour in the early morning and and 1/2 hour in the evening.
If the water is at the set temperature, the element does not draw any power.
These settings cater for rainy/heavy overcast days.
3 years on now., has worked well so far.
 
Mr M said:
So this setup is not intelligent enough to do that - the geyser is on a smart switch that turns on for an hour in the early morning and and 1/2 hour in the evening.
If the water is at the set temperature, the element does not draw any power.
These settings cater for rainy/heavy overcast days.
3 years on now., has worked well so far.
Click to expand...

but you can change the times as well i guess
 
We advise all our clients to use solar to heat ALL your hot water. SANS 10400-XA says 50%. You can get up to 66% (93%η x 71% annual sunshine Jhb) using PV systems.
Evacuated tube solar collectors (ETSC) will give you 43% (±60%η x 71%). Flat plate 30% (±[35-50%η] x 71%).
Getting your geyser to 60°C is the goal. A few installers will oversize the ETSC systems. This has its pro's and con's - higher temps but geyser life being reduced.
 
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