Understanding Different Solar Water Tanks and their Sizing

Defining Solar Water Tanks –

Solar water tanks are important features of solar hot water systems and work like buffer energy storage. When the sun is shining, the water gets heated in the storage tank to be used later most commonly during the evening. Most solar water tanks come with a heat exchanger that keeps away the potable water from the solar heating solution – water or glycol. They have excellent insulation value that enables them to retain the heat for days. 

Generally, solar hot water tanks are popular in geothermal systems in which the hot air removed from the house through the air conditioner is transferred to the hot water tank to be used in the home. 

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Sizing of a Solar Hot Water Storage Tank –

You need to consider two important variables for sizing a solar hot water storage tank. 

  • First, you should know how much draw is used per person inside the house. On an average, a household consumes around 20-30 gallons of hot water per person. It includes usage in shower and bath water, laundry and dishes. A family of two persons will normally require a 40 gallon storage tank. 
  • You will require the exact number of square feet of collector area for every gallon of hot water you need. It’s very significant that you don’t exceed this number or you will find that your solar system may reach extreme temperature during peak summer months. You should have an under powered solar hot water tank than an over powered system. 

Understanding Different Types of Solar Hot Water Storage Tanks 

Solar Pre-Heat Tank –

The most common tank is a solar pre-heat tank. It is mostly used in homes having a water heater already. The pre-heat tank stores the solar heated hot water which is drawn to the main tank upon opening up the hot water faucets. 

This type of solar water tank has an internal heat exchanger that helps in transferring energy from the solar loop to the potable water. In this way, the ground or main line water of around 35 degree Fahrenheit can be preheated to say 120 degree Fahrenheit plus degrees before entering the primary heating tank. If the heating tank is set to 130 degrees, it only requires increasing the water temperature by ten degrees rather than 95 degrees. It would have otherwise need to without using the solar pre-heat tank. 

Combo Tank –

A combo tank with solar and electric contains a built-in heat exchanger on the bottom of the tank and an upper element. The hot water gets circulated through the solar loop into the internal heat exchanger which transfers its energy to the potable water. The upper element will then add to and increase the temperature to a preferred setting. 

This tank system comes in handy for new homes or replacement tanks. It’s necessary to remember that very few solar tanks in North America meet the UL or CSA certification as a combo tank as such most European or Asian manufactured solar hot water storage tanks can’t be used with potable or drinking water.

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Bottom Line –

Latitude51 Solar specializes in providing 100% UL & CSA listed solar hot water storage tanks by Northern Lights Solar Solutions. They are useful for any solar application through the US and Canada. For more information about our solar water tanks, please call us at 1 800 317 9054. 

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