Will a SunMaxx Solar Hot Water System Work in the Northeast or Northwest?
avwFm87mDz2013-09-24T14:41:31+00:00Yes. For these climates, we recommend that customers use SunMaxx Evacuated Tube Solar Collectors. During a significant portion of the year in these locations, the sun is at low angles in the sky, the days are extremely short, and the temperatures are often freezing, or barely above. Because of their design, SunMaxx Evacuated Tube Solar Collectors are particularly well suited for these conditions – their unique 360 degree collection area makes them very good at capturing sunlight at many angles, increasing the period of optimum absorption, and their incredible freeze protection, coupled with a closed-loop glycol system provide adequate freeze protection for all but the harshest temperatures.
Will a SunMaxx Solar Hot Water System Work on a Cloudy Day?
avwFm87mDz2013-09-24T14:40:24+00:00Yes, to an extent. SunMaxx Solar Hot Water Systems do not only work with direct sunlight, but also with Solar Radiation. Even on cloudy days, there is ample solar radiation, which allows SunMaxx Evacuated Tube Solar Collectors to provide significant performance, even in these conditions. However, the performance of the Solar Collector will be less than it is on a bright, sunny day.
How does Solar Hot Water Differ from PV or Solar Electricity?
avwFm87mDz2013-09-24T14:36:54+00:00PV, or Solar Electric, uses the energy trapped within sunlight to generate an electrical charge. This charge can then be stored and used to power any number of electronic and electric devices. Solar Hot Water, however, is also known as Solar Thermal, and used the tremendous energy trapped within sunlight to generate heat – this heat is then transferred by any number of mechanisms to water. We can use that water for nearly every hot water application – from domestic hot water use to radiant space heating to pool/spa heating. In, fact, Solar Thermal technology is much further advanced that PV technology today – a typical PV panel has an efficiency of 14 – 20% where a Solar Hot Water System has an efficiency of 80% or better – this makes Solar Hot Water Systems one of, if not, the most cost-effective and affordable uses of Solar Energy available today.
What can SunMaxx Solar Hot Water Systems be used for?
avwFm87mDz2013-09-24T14:36:02+00:00SunMaxx Solar Hot Water Systems are used across the United States and around the world for nearly every water heating application imaginable. Whether your application is residential, commercial, industrial, municipal or agricultural, SunMaxx Evacuated Tube Solar Collectors and Flat Plate Solar Collectors are perfect for the job. SunMaxx Solar Hot Water Systems shine in systems designed for Domestic Hot Water production, Radiant Floor and Space Heating, and Solar Pool and Spa/Hot Tub Heating.
What are Evacuated Tube Solar Collectors and How do They Work?
avwFm87mDz2013-09-24T14:34:53+00:00SunMaxx Evacuated Tube Solar Collectors are built with series of clear glass, vacuum sealed tubes with a special selective coating that allows solar radiation to pass through from the outside and traps it inside. This 360 degree collector design is the key principle advantage of Evacuated Tube Solar Collectors – it allows for great absorption earlier and later in the day when the sun is at odd angles for most solar collectors – leading to increased overall system efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The solar radiation then heats the copper heat pipe within the Evacuated Tube, which transfers its heat upward where it is passed to the water moving through the manifold through the specially designed condenser.
One Year Later, New York Resident Realizes Solar Thermal System Payback
avwFm87mDz2013-09-18T15:52:16+00:00FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: New York resident, Peter N., installed a SunMaxx Solar Thermal Hot Water system in his home. One year later, he is truly seeing the payback in going solar. Peter cannot hold his excitement to himself. He tells us he has shared the amazing news with all his neighbors. He says, "the system provides over 90% of our hot water needs outside of the heating season. During the heating season, the system also supplements radiant heating." Not only that, this Middleport resident also qualified for New York's state and federal rebates. The system initially cost $7,635, and Peter claims the payback was worth it, "I received up to 70% Federal plus State Rebates for my system!" The system does supplement Peter's radiant heating, with the primary heat source being ground loop water to water heat pump. The top coil in the holding tank will be used for additional floor heat. The system included 60 SunMaxx Solar ThermoPower Evacuated Tubes, and two 105 gallon coil tanks feeding a 120 gallon domestic hot water tank. The system is also plumbed to allow future expansion. For more information, contact SunMaxx Solar's marketing department.