EcoRenovator - View Single Post - Dump the plumbing and use PV to heat water?

NeilBlanchard · 12-30-09, 02:27 PM

Vacuum tube solar heat collectors can be as much as 80% efficient!

Solar Water Heaters: Solar Hot Water Heaters For Home, Commercial & Industrial Solar Water Heating

They are used all over China, in great numbers. The latest designs AFAICT are a glass tube with a copper heatpipe inside and a (near) vacuum in between them. The top of the heatpipe has contact with the water in the header.

If one of the tubes is broken, it can be unplugged and replaced.

12-30-09, 02:27 PM	#7
NeilBlanchard Journeyman EcoRenovator Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Maynard, MA Eaarth Posts: 383 Thanks: 78 Thanked 39 Times in 32 Posts	Vacuum tube solar heat collectors can be as much as 80% efficient! Solar Water Heaters: Solar Hot Water Heaters For Home, Commercial & Industrial Solar Water Heating They are used all over China, in great numbers. The latest designs AFAICT are a glass tube with a copper heatpipe inside and a (near) vacuum in between them. The top of the heatpipe has contact with the water in the header. If one of the tubes is broken, it can be unplugged and replaced.