Architects & Engineer Training

Architects & Engineers
Planning & Design Tools

We’ve put together some simple design and planning tools for our solar thermal systems. For additional design and engineering assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us. 

Design & Engineering Guides

Getting
Started

Sizing Tools & Guides

Design & Installation

Have a project?

Let us help with submittal packages

Contact our technical team to get help with design build specifications on your solar thermal projects.

Engineering
Design Solutions

SunMaxx Solar offers custom engineering solutions to help navigate the complexities of planning and installing a solar thermal system. 

From feasibility studies to full project management services, our team has participated in over 4,000 projects worldwide. Find below a list our standard services we provide for both commercial and residential applications. 

Project Management

Full project management from design to commissioning.

Permit & Planning

Full permit and planning packages

Solar Feasibility

Propose a complete technical and financial solution for your upcoming project.

Construction Drawings

Full construction drawings for sub-assemblies or custom solar thermal stations.

Energy Simulations

Technical energy modeling for solar thermal systems.

Technical Training

On site technical training for installers, engineers and architects.

How much do engineering services cost? 

Our engineering services are sold in both packages and hourly rates depending on the size and scope of your project. Our aim is to deliver cost effective engineering services specifically designed for solar thermal customers. 

Our Engineering Solutions Include:

We provide complete turnkey project management from design to commissioning of your project. Our services include utilizing existing sub-contractors or introducing new contractors to facilitate the construction of your project.

Navigating the building code and planning requirements can be expensive and time consuming. Our in-house engineering team has extensive experience in working with planning and permit offices around the world, specifically for solar thermal systems.

Our services include preparing of full plan sets and permit packages to be submitted to the building departments.

Need a solar feasibility study for your next project? Let us help prepare energy models and financial feasibility reports for your upcoming project.

Typical projects fall in the commercial and industrial sector for this service plan.

Have a custom project which requires a specific heat transfer station or mounting system detail? Our engineering team can help provide full construction drawings for "on roof" or "off roof" solar thermal sub-assemblies.

Let our engineering team prepare custom solar thermal energy simulations using specialized solar thermal energy modeling software.

We offer remote and in-person full technical training on solar thermal system design and planning.

Additionally, we offer in facility training at our renewable energy training center located in Upstate New York.

We’ve put together some simple design and planning tools for our solar thermal systems. For additional design and engineering assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us. 

Solar Thermal
Learning Center


Evacuated tubes, an essential component of SunMaxx Solar hot water systems, are designed to function optimally in all seasons, including the winter months. Here's a simplified explanation of how they work when temperatures drop:

Insulation: Each evacuated tube comprises a double-layered glass tube with a vacuum in between. This vacuum acts as an excellent insulator, reducing heat loss to nearly zero, thus maintaining the efficiency of the system even in freezing weather.

Absorption: The inner layer of the tube is coated with a special solar-absorbing material that captures sunlight and converts it into heat. This layer is designed to absorb the maximum amount of solar radiation, including during shorter winter days.

Heat Transfer: Inside each tube, a heat pipe transfers the generated heat to a manifold, which then circulates the hot water or heat transfer fluid to your storage tank. The evacuated tube design prevents the heat from escaping back into the cold atmosphere.

Orientation: Even when the sun is low in the winter sky, the cylindrical shape of evacuated tubes allows for optimal absorption of sunlight throughout the day.

In summary, the insulating vacuum, solar-absorbing coating, efficient heat transfer, and cylindrical design all contribute to the effective operation of evacuated tubes in the winter. While there may be less overall sunlight in the winter months, SunMaxx's evacuated tubes are engineered to make the most of available sunlight.

Evacuated Tube Solar Collectors FAQs1. What are Evacuated Tube Solar Collectors? A. Evacuated tube solar collectors are a type of solar thermal energy technology that consists of tubes made of glass that are sealed with a vacuum. The vacuum helps to reduce heat loss, making them more efficient than conventional solar collectors.2. How do Evacuated Tube Solar Collectors Work? A. Evacuated tube solar collectors absorb solar energy from the sun, and the tubes act as heat absorbers and insulators to store the heat. The heat is then transferred to a thermal storage system, such as a hot water tank, which can be used for a variety of applications.3. What are the Benefits of Evacuated Tube Solar Collectors? A. Evacuated tube solar collectors have numerous advantages, such as: - High efficiency, since they reduce heat loss due to their vacuum-sealed design; - Low maintenance requirements; - Can be used in a variety of applications; - Can be combined with other solar energy systems to increase efficiency.4. What are the Problems with Evacuated Tube Solar Collectors? A. Evacuated tube solar collectors may not be suitable for all climates, as they can be affected by extreme temperatures. Additionally, the tubes are fragile and may require an additional protective layer for outdoor installations, and the cost of installation can be quite high. Evacuated tube solar collectors have some drawbacks, including:
  1. Higher initial cost: These collectors are typically more expensive upfront compared to flat-plate collectors, due to their complex design and manufacturing process.
  2. Fragility: The glass tubes can be fragile, requiring careful handling during installation and maintenance to prevent breakage.
  3. Replacement cost: If a tube breaks or loses efficiency, it needs to be replaced, which can be more expensive than replacing a component of a flat-plate collector.
  4. Aesthetics: Some people may find the appearance of evacuated tube collectors less visually appealing than flat-plate collectors, as they have a more industrial look.
  5. Space requirement: Evacuated tube collectors may need more roof space compared to flat-plate collectors for the same energy output, due to their cylindrical shape.
  6. Installation and maintenance: They may require specialized skills for installation and maintenance, which could result in higher service costs.
Despite these drawbacks, evacuated tube solar collectors offer several benefits, such as high efficiency and better performance in cold climates. Weighing the pros and cons can help you decide if they are the right choice for your solar water heating needs.
There can be a lot of reasons which lead to problems with sensor reading error. Due to this you can follow the steps below, maybe they can help you to solve the problem:Remember to turn of the appliance form electricity, safety is the most important
  1. Check all wires - connection is required to correct work of sensor. If there is a loose, try to put in harder inside
    1. If problem vanish, your repair is completed
    2. If no follow the next step
  2. Take the multimeter tool and check the current flow of the wire. If you have some values, the sensor is fully functional
  3. When you still have a problem you can constant to engineering team, maybe they can help you or replace the whole device.
These simply step can help to solve the problem.  

The science of evacuated tubes. Short introduction on how they work.

Part 2 of this webinar series.

Quick video on how to replace your evacuated tube heat pipes (replace or to remove if you have issues with producing too much heat!) .

The United States Government, and most state governments within the United States have implemented credits, rebates, and incentives to help offset the costs of purchasing and installing a Solar Hot Water Heater. While the initial costs of a Solar Hot Water Heater from SunMaxx Solar are generally in the ballpark of 2 to 5 thousand dollars, these credits and other incentives generally bring the payback period of a SunMaxx Solar Hot Water Heater from between 9 and 11 years down to between 3 and 5 years, depending on specific factors.In order for these credits and incentives to be applied to a Solar Hot Water Heater the System must be tested and passed by the SRCC (Solar Rating and Certification Corporation), an independent testing organization designated, and approved by the United States Government and the separate State Governments. SunMaxx Evacuated Tube Solar Collectors are SRCC Certified, making them applicable for all State and Federal Solar Hot Water Incentives & Tax Credits.Federal Solar Tax Credit:Credit Amount: 26% (2020)Maximum Incentive: UncappedApplies to: Solar Hot Water, PVNew York State Tax Credit:Credit Amount: 25%Maximum Incentive: $5,000.00Applies to: Solar Hot Water, PVFor more information on tax credit information, visit the Tax Incentives Database.
The SunMaxx Solar Collectors and PrePackaged Kits have recently passed testing for SRCC Certification at the FSEC Institute in Florida. While SRCC Certification is not mandatory to sell, purchase or install a Solar Hot Water System, the Certification does bring several significant benefits to SunMaxx Solar Hot Water customers across the United States. These include:
  • SunMaxx Collectors Qualify for all Federal Solar Incentives and Tax Credits
  • SunMaxx Collectors Qualify for all State Solar Incentives and Tax Credits
  • SunMaxx Collectors are Verified as Performing on par with all Leading Solar Collectors
  • You can Trust the SunMaxx Name – and you do not Have to take our word for it!
  • SunMaxx Collectors are Rated for use in:
    • Commercial Applications
    • Large Residential Applications (Hotels, Resorts, Condos, etc)
    • Industrial & Agricultural Applications
    • Municipal (Government) Applications
  • SunMaxx Collectors Deliver Tested, Trusted Performance Everyday!