Solar water heating · installer route

Reviewed 16 October 2026 · schematic not to scale

Select a complete solar-thermal package and follow its installation manual; pressure vessels and roof loads need qualified work.

Original explanatory schematic · not to scale. Use the dimensions and complete source drawings below.

Measure heat demand and site exposure. Separate an educational solar-heating experiment from a pressurised domestic hot-water installation.
Check materials, temperature limits, stability and burn protection before introducing heat.

Thermometer with suitable range, timer, ruler, stable supports and heat-resistant handling tools.

Example: heating 100 L of water by 20°C stores about 2.33 kWh of heat, excluding losses. It does not produce 2.33 kWh of electricity.

Water heat estimate: m × 4.186 kJ/(kg·°C) × ΔT. Solar yield requires collector and weather data.

Part	Quantity	Specification / dimensions
Matched tank and collector	1 set	Example Duda SHS200: 200 L tank and 20 tubes, each nominal 58 × 1800 mm.
Rated supports and plumbing	site sized	Verify full tank weight, roof loading, pressure, expansion, relief, freeze and anti-scald equipment from the current manual.
Heat-transfer circuit and controls	model specific	Use approved fluid, pump, controller and insulated piping for the selected package.

Create a site sheet: hot-water demand, inlet temperature, full tank mass, roof loading, freeze risk, pressure and plumbing route. Confirm local approvals with the installer.
The installer must document expansion, relief discharge, anti-scald mixing, fluid compatibility and backup controls; test according to the exact current manual.

1
Measure daily hot-water demand and available roof/ground area.
2
Obtain current drawings, full/empty mass, pressure ratings and local approval.
3
Have a qualified installer fit supports, the hydraulic circuit and all required safety devices.
4
Pressure-test, check relief/mixing controls and record temperature and energy performance.

Do not fabricate a sealed heated pressure vessel or substitute unapproved plumbing parts.

Electrical backup heaters and pumps are loads; include them in the appliance calculator.

Selected model/revision, collector area, tank volume and full mass, operating pressure, temperatures, auxiliary electricity and service-test results.

Use scheduled professional checks for relief, mixing valves, fluid and corrosion. Never cap a relief outlet or repair hot pressurised equipment yourself.

No output, abnormal heat, noise, vibration or leaks: Stop and isolate first. Check the documented input, load compatibility, alignment and connections; keep guards fitted and refer specialist systems to their installer.