There are about six different types of operations that solar can be adapted into. These six systems are; geothermal systems, radiant floor systems, boiler systems, domestic hot water systems, forced air systems, and pool systems. The follow is information on each one.
Geothermal
This installation combines the high efficiency rating of a geothermal system with a solar system. There is a water coil that is implemented into a new or existing ductwork system also tying it with the geothermal unit. The solar panel would be tied into the water coil. With a Solartech control board which is patent pending, the solar/geothermal system would be cocntrolled by one thermostat providing multple stages of heat, the primary being solar and the scondary being the geothermal.
Domestic Hot Water/Boiler/Radiant Floor Heat
This system will take place of the existing boiler or hot water heater. A solar storage tank will be connected to three items; the existing hot water tank, a 95% efficient, modulating, wall-mounted boiler, and the solar panels. This sytem would heat the water primarily with solar and then have a high efficient boiler as a backup.
Forced Air Systems
This type of system will depend on the type of install. If this is a new install, a solar storage tank, solar panels, heat pump , air handlier and a 95% efficient modulting wall-mounted boiler will be used. This system would use a patent pending Solartech control board that would allow the system to be controlled by one thermostat. This system would have 3 stages of the most efficient types of heat. Primary would be solar. Secondary would be the heat pump. Third stage would be the gas boiler. If there is no gas available, heat strips inside the air handler will be used instead of the gas boiler.
Pool Systems
Heating pools use a different solar application then the other installations. It uses a square channel solar panel. This is a plastic panel that allows the water to be pumped to the top of the panel and as the water is pushed through each square channel toward the top, the water is heated and pushed back into the pool. This system works more like a drainback system. If the water in the pool is a higher temperature then the water in the panel, such as on a cloudy day, the pumps will stop working and the system will rely on a backup boiler. Figure 1-1 and 1-2 explain how the system works in more detail.
Figure 1-1
Pool Heater Panel
Figure 1-2
Pool System Design
Our Company
Solartech, founded in 2007 by James Blevins, is a company that excels in research & development of solar technology. Currently, Solartech is working with Ball State University and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology on several patents for the solar community.
Frequent Questions
Q: Can solar work during cold weather?
A: Yes! Unlike older flat collectors, the vacuum in the tube collectors trap the heat and allow it to be unaffected by extreme cold temperatures.
Product Information
Solar Thermal Technology is made of a tube collector, collection tank, controller panel and usually a boiler and/or heat pump. The tube collector is a vacuum tube that absorbs the UV light and turns it into heat