3 Siting Considerations To Optimise The Performance Of Solar Water Heater Collector Panels

Water accounts for 21 percent of the energy used in an average Australian home and is the largest greenhouse gas emissions source at 23 percent. Electric water heaters contribute nearly 80 percent of these greenhouse emissions, so using renewable energy sources to heat water is a good way to reduce your energy bills and environmental impact. With the abundance of sunlight available in Australia, solar water heaters have become increasingly popular. This guide will help you with siting considerations to optimise the performance of a solar water heater collector panels.

Place Collector Panels In Unshaded Areas

When choosing the site for your solar water heater collector panels, make sure that you place them in unshaded areas around your home. If the area is heavily shaded, then it might affect the performance of your solar water heater. A good location to place collector panels is typically on the rooftop because this area tends to be unshaded, so the panels can collect as much sunlight as possible to warm up your water efficiently. If you want to place them on ground level, make sure there are no trees and bushes around to compromise the performance of your solar heating system.

Establish The Right Collector Panel Orientation

Your solar hot water collector panels should be geographically oriented to optimise the amount of energy they receive from the sun. This means that even if you place them in an unshaded area, you cannot just place them flat on the ground. You should ideally orient them in a manner that they receive maximum sunlight. Since Australia is in the southern hemisphere, sunlight comes from the north. This means that an ideal orientation for Australian solar collector panels is true north. Even a small deviation can reduce your system's efficiency by up to 15 percent. You will need to plan carefully with the installation experts to ensure you get the collector panel orientation right for your home.

Determine Your Collector Tilt

Tilt is also a major consideration when it comes to siting your solar water heater collector panels. Collector panels are at their optimal best when sunlight hits them from a 90-degree angle, so the ideal collector tilt for the sun in Australia is 32 degrees. Typically, you can aim for a tilt anywhere between 20 to 40 degrees. If you tilt the panels more or less than this, then you will end up compromising the efficiency of your solar water heater. While this is the general rule, keep in mind that you will also need to consider your roof angle when planning collector panel tilt.

These siting considerations can be complex for any homeowner. For these reasons, it's always best to work with the professionals for siting solar hot water collector panels.