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Daox · 02-05-12, 09:19 AM

Unless you're in a horribly cold climate (colder than northern US) the flat plate collector really is a more efficient and more cost effective way to go.

Here is a chart from BuildItSolar that shows the general efficiency of flat plate vs evacuated tube type collectors. As you can see, the flat plate collectors are more efficient until about a 100 degree F temperature differential between the water and the ambient temperature.

Also, tilting collectors is always going to be advantageous as it is just more efficient. You can vertical mount any collector, it just won't collect as much energy.

02-05-12, 09:19 AM	#2
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	Unless you're in a horribly cold climate (colder than northern US) the flat plate collector really is a more efficient and more cost effective way to go. Here is a chart from BuildItSolar that shows the general efficiency of flat plate vs evacuated tube type collectors. As you can see, the flat plate collectors are more efficient until about a 100 degree F temperature differential between the water and the ambient temperature. Also, tilting collectors is always going to be advantageous as it is just more efficient. You can vertical mount any collector, it just won't collect as much energy. __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.