Determine the solar resource of
your site.
How many hours of direct sunlight does my site receive?
If your site is without shade and generally faces south, it's a good
candidate for a solar water heating system.
Determine the estimated collector
area.
A general estimate is about 20 square feet (2 square
meters) of collector area for each of the first residents. For each
additional person, add 8 square feet (0.7 square meters) if you live
in the southern United States or 12 to 14 square feet if you live
in the northern United States.
Calculate the estimated tank storage
volume.
A small (50 to 60 gallon) storage tank should be sufficient
for one to three people. A medium (80 gallon) storage tank works well
for three to four people. A larger tank suits four to six people.
In active systems, the size of the solar storage tank
increases with the size of the collector. The typical sizing is 1.5
gallons for each square foot of solar collector. This set-up prevents
the system from overheating with lowered hot water demand. In warm,
sunny climates, the ratio can be increased to 2 storage gallons per
square foot of collector area.
Mark dimensions of collectors as
well as plumbing and control arrangements.
How will my solar collectors attach to the roof? Will
I use a structural attachment through the rafters? Is this placement
elevated enough to allow for proper drainage to prevent debris buildup
and roof rot?
Consult with your
community to ensure compliance with covenants, building codes, historic
district regulations, and flood-plain provisions.
Before installing a solar water heating system, you
should investigate local building codes, zoning ordinances, and subdivision
covenants, as well as any special regulations pertaining to the site.
A building permit is often required to install a solar
energy system onto an existing building.
Potential zoning issues include obstructing side yards,
constructing unlawful protrusions on roofs, or installing the system
too close to streets or lot boundaries.
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