solar ready

towbar

Not planning to install solar now but hoping to leave the system solar ready by installing a dual coil tank but my issue is tank sizing. In a non solar environment tank would be 200litres based on 5 people average usage. However for solar calculations tank is based on 50litres per metre square of
panel and average 1.5 m per person would suggest a tank size of 375litres.

My question is will a 375litre tank mean that my system will be very inefficient until I install the solar and if so I should install an ordinary 200l single coil tank and replace when solar is installed. System is pressurised so tanks are expensive.

CJhaughey

Towbar

We fitted a 400l tank based on others advice, the gist of was basically that for a 6m panel a 300l tank was standard however anyone who fitted a solar system has said that it is a lot better to fit a bigger tank as a buffer.
The experience we have had is that 400l is more than enough for this sunny weather, but in cold wet weather the large thermal mass of water usually stays warm for a few days even when the weather was bad last month the tank was able to maintain about 30 deg whichg was warm enough for a shower.
There is an immersion fitted for when there is not enough sun.

stiofanD

Hi towbar, just curious where you are planning to source your dual coil storage cylinder? I would also like to replace my cylinder, with a view to getting solar in the future, but I'm not sure where to go to get someting like that.

towbar

Most plumbing places seem to be able to get them. I'm in Donegal local plumbing supplies shop has them in stock - Oil Burner Trading. I know heatmerchants have them in Dublin. The cost for a 300l unvented dual coil tank is about €1000 + vat.