More solar water heating panels

If you have an example of a good or bad solar water heating setup, then write to me here. Please include digital photos and contact details to verify the details.

This Sola60 panel is a little over four years old and is covered by what looks like white talcum powder.

Here is another view of the panel above: This has no lagging at all. It faces west, so it is only getting full sun later in the day and very little at all during winter months. It should be facing north.




The panel temperature sensor was hanging loose. It is possible that this panel has never worked due to this loose sensor, the absence of lagging and because it is facing the wrong way to the sun.




These two shots of a set of panels of unknown age and brand confirm the view that solar panels must be regularly maintained otherwise seals fail, water gets in and corrosion happens, ruining the panels in next to no time.

Note again the lack of any insulating lagging of the pipes.

This Solahart (2 photos) is about 18 years old, but no longer works according to the owner. Note the absence of any lagging. The surfaces are corroded making the corrosion stand out visibly. The black surfaces are a lightish grey. There is condensation inside the panels.
















This Edwards installation (2 photos) does not have a building consent. It has condensation inside. There is visible corrosion and the black surface has faded in large expanses to a greyish colour.

Note there is no lagging of the pipes.













The collector surface of this Solapak really is this off-grey colour. Note the extensive corrosion and general bleaching of the collector surface.

There is no lagging whatsoever on any of the pipes.
























Here is a Sola60 panel that is just two years old.


No building consent.













The following two are Solahart panels in Tauranga on a fast food outlet's roof. These panels are visibly corroded with water inside the panels.












You will also note the lack of lagging, a common installation fault observed in the Tauranga region.


This one is over 30 years old and still working. No idea of the make. Owned by a lovely elderly couple.





These two are of a three panel Solarhart that is just over two years old. Purchased by a retired couple to reduce living costs.

No building consent.













These two photos are of a Sola60 panel that is just one year old. The elderly couple spent precious savings with the intention of making a meagre pension for further.

No building consent.




This panel was inspected by a Branz researcher who said nothing of this corrosion, leaving this elderly couple with the impression that their system was in perfect condition.




Notes:

• Solahart and Sola60 feature prominently. This is only because I have not found many other brands. My findings are not necessarily representative of the industry.
• If you would like to learn more, or to contribute to the discussions, go to the Rusty Panel Discussion Group here.
• If you have an example of a good or bad solar water heating setup, then write to me here. Please include digital photos and contact details to verify the details.

The following two photos are of a pair of Solahart panels that 2.5 years old and visibly corroding.












No building consent.









Here is an ingenious home made solar water heating system. Unfortunately, it has no ventialtion/drain holes with the result that it is now flooded with condensation.



















The two Solahart panels in the next three pictures are three years old. Corrosion can be seen on the panel surfaces.




Note the strip of bright white corrosion along the borders.
No building consent.









This was inspected by a Branz official recently; but nothing said of the condition of the panels.







The Solahart panels in these two photos are one year old and corrosion can be seen on the collector surfaces.
Note the damage to the pipe lagging from birds.
No building consent.


















Wow! Look at this home made solar array! Made by a good Kiwi bloke in his shed. He obtains 80c water tank temperatures, enough to run pool parties with the neighbours invited!





Here is another example of this resourceful fellow's fine work:

This Thermocell installation was promising with just the slightest hint of corrosion of one small part of the collector surfaces; but being only two years old, no judgement can be made as to durability. Can anybody provide evidence that this make will last the distance better than others?

No building consent; but installed by the owner.

Here is a two year old Solarhart installation.



No building consent.













Solar tubes, mostly imported from China look promising; but can anybody show evidence that these will last when subjected to years of NZ climatic conditions?



These panels are of unknown make and are from 10-15 yrs old. It has heavily corroded copper surfaces and you can see the leaking hot water from the pipe in the 3rd photo, leaking several liters of hot water per hour (Bottom right of picture) and probably for more than a few years. You will also note the absence of any lagging on the pipes.

Points: - Fortunately, this is of a thick copper design. It can presumably be stripped, cleaned and restored to as good as new.
- Where different metals meet (Such as galvanised steel fittings on copper pipe), corrosion is inevitable.

- No air vents to allow moisture to escape, so this needs to be recitfied and the glazing seals replaced.




These panels show that it may be misleading to give the impression that any solar panels can be "set and forget" other than needing the occasional wash. Few structures can be expected to last 20 years exposed on a rooftop for 20 years without requiring a decent service now and then. Design should be such that panels can be conveniently dismantled and serviced as required.

What is also shown here is the corrosion that is likely to occur when different metals are in contact, setting up galvanic corrosion. This includes metal on metal contact with a metal roof as well as differing plumbing fittings. Once started, the only practical remedy is full replacement of the corroding parts.

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