rel_EvacTubes

What are Evacuated Tube Solar Collectors and How do They Work?

SunMaxx 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.

What Is The Difference Between Flat Plates And Evacuated Tube Collectors?

What is the difference between Flat Plates and Evacuated Tube Collectors? While both types of collectors capture the suns energy and convert it to hot water each have there own advantages. Evacuated Tube Collectors are best used in northern climates where freezing can occur and can be utilized in areas where temperatures drop down to -60°F. Evacuated Tubes are are extremely efficient by virtue of the Tubes themselves. Each Evacuated Tube is hermetically sealed meaning it is highly insulated due to the fact that it is a sealed atmosphere nearly impervious to outside temperatures. Evacuated tubes can also be replaced if damaged, simply by plugging it in, no need to replace the whole unit. SunMaxx Flat Plate collectors use a highly efficient flat absorber material called Tinox which transfer heat to a series of copper tubes which circulate a 50% glycol/water mix. The collectors themselves are in essence a a sealed insulated box which captures the suns energy and transfers it via the Tinox, then through the pipes filled with glycol and into  the storage tanks.

MORE ABOUT EVACUATED TUBE COLLECTORS

SunMaxx Solars ThermoPower VHP 30 Evacuated Tubes at the Brian C. Nevin Welcome Center

In September of 2009 SunMaxx Solar was pleased to be selected to provide the evacuated tubes for the Brian C. Nevin Welcome Center on the Cornell University Campus. Under the direction of M/E Engineering, who were responsible for the mechanical design, the welcome center used 8 ThermoPower-VHP30 evacuated tubes from SunMaxx Solar on the roof of the Welcome Center. “The collectors are connected to the building's heating water system.  The heating system for the building is primary in floor hot water radiant heat. “ according to Chad Fikes of M./E Engineering. Once completed the system was reviewed by Intelligent Green Solutions (IGS), a preferred SunMaxx Solar Installer. It was determined that the system not only proved cost-effective but utilized the highest level of components and HVAC plumbing, and electrical craftsmanship. IGS was very pleased with the set up of the system and with a few minor adjustments they were ready to commission the solar thermal system. The Brian C. Nevin Welcome Center “ has a goal of being an exemplary green garden by being environmentally progressive in our practices and operations.” according to Don Rakow, The E. N. Wilds Director, Cornell Plantations. The Nevin Welcome Center has shown itself to be a leader in environmental direction. The facility is expecting to receive a LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Gold certification and even possibly a LEED Platinum certification, from the U.S. Green Building Council. For more information, please visit SunMaxx Solar online at www.sunmaxxsolar.com, or contact a SunMaxx Solar thermal specialist at 1.877.786.6299. For more information on Nevin Welcome Center please visit http://www.cornellplantations.org/about/welcome-center. Press Contact: SunMaxx Solar Inc. 56 Broome Corporate Parkway Conklin, NY 13748 USA Ph: +1-800-786-0329 ext. 208 [email protected] www.sunmaxxsolar.com

SunMaxx Solar Receives New CSA Certifications

Binghamton, NY May 24, 2011 - SunMaxx Solar is very proud to share some good news! Our SunMaxx Evacuated tube collectors ThermoPower 10, 20, 25, 30 and our Flat Plate collectors TitanPower Plus-SU2 and AL2 just received the new rated CSA certifications. At SunMaxx Solar, we aim to build a sustainable future for our global community. In today’s energy consuming world, we offer world-class solar energy and renewable products, striving to meet the increasing need for alternative energy sources. From the design room to product installation, the goal of our team is to provide an educational network and value chain with customer service as our number one priority. Our forward-thinking model includes the establishment of multinational offices to better serve emerging markets and developing nations around the world. We work to build and maintain a cleaner energy-efficient world one satisfied customer at a time. For more information please visit CSA' s website at www.csa-international.org or contact one of our Solar Thermal Specialists at 877-786-6299.

How do I decide between Flat plate and Evacuated tube?

This will be a debate well in to the future. For an more in-depth review please watch this Click here to watch this 1/2 hour webinar. Your decision should be based primarily on the following considerations:
  • 1- Temperature demand- What is you existing application? EVT's will outperform FP's at higher temp load.
  • 2- Climate location- In a general sense, flat plates have more value than evacuated tubes in warmer climates and EVT's will do better in cold, cloudy climates.
  • 3-Aesthetics appeal- This is where there is no "right" answer. Instead, each person has their own personal view. We recommend that you go with it. If they prefer flat plates for that reason then you install flat plates and if they prefer evacuated tubes for their aesthetic appeal, then by all means, you should install Evacuated tubes.
The point is, you really CANT GO WRONG. Each type will yield significant value and in the end, the differences will be negligible.