Difference between revisions of "Conversation with Bob at SunEarth on March 23, 2008"

Revision as of 17:59, 24 March 2009

Here's a summary:

• the panels can be placed either portrait or landscape
• the maximum panels in parallel on one manifold is 6 without running the risk of leaks..."never seen one with more than six panels go more than 10 years without a leak." It is do to expansion and contraction of the long manifold vs. the panel frame. So an answer is one pipe feeding two manifolds each feeding five panels.
• Need EC (Chrome) feature which are intended for colder climates
• There is a "1.5" version that has a 1.5" header for greater flow potential
• Overheading / Heat dump
  • He has covered the panels...often recommends doing so
  • paint the panels with poster paint that washes off.
  • uses radiator coils with fans to dump heat
• List price for Empire 4x10 is $1,300 ($31.7/sf) he said if you order 12 there is a price break.
• delta T for T in - T out is 15 - 25F; it creates a step function with the tank...causing a rise up every time it goes through the loop.
• he has seen the PV pumps work.
  • pluses: runs even in with no power (outage), sun goes up = flow goes up
  • negatives: no control
  • recommends monitoring
• durability: panels should last 50yrs; the main thing to watch is fluid maintenance
• Pressure: the pressure is fixed once the system is charged up...assuming a glycol system
• Storage Tanks: Contact Bob Perkins at Morey Manufacturing in CA on xxx Valley he's been doing it for 30 yrs