solar flat or tubes

niall_walsh

hi all putting timbers on roof at min so i'm guessing now is best time to fit panel.

what coverage area would be best

would people recomend the flat panels or tubes?

thanks
niall

homer911

You should really get specialist advice, check out the sei website for an installer in your area, or post your location if you are looking for a recommendation.

As you are doing a new build, it is possible to flush mount flat panels, but this may not be the best solution for your requirements

wlstan

The type of panels depend on application. Many persons will say that one is better than the other. For Irish climate evaporated tubes are more suited. The application for flat panels (besides looks) is in places of heavy snow fall, many panels can be put in reverse turning panel into a heater melting snow from panel to get sunlight, and then put into normal opperation. The only problem is that it can also drain heat from system at night if not installed properly. Evaporated tubes cannot be put into reverse opperation so not suited for the Alps etc but suitable elsewhere.

quentingargan

I sell both, so no real axe to grind. If your house is exceptionally well insulated, then you will benefit from tubes because they have a longer effective season. Flatplates have higher output in summer (probably more than you need) and les in spring or autumn. If your heating is off for 9 months of the year, then you really are trying to optimise production in spring and autumn. If your heating is already on during these months, it is less important.

The downside to tubes though is longevity. The tubes themselves will need replacing after about 20 years. If you use the Chinese flask type (all flasks are Chinese as far as I know, regardless of the bs from the supplier) then the replacement tubes are only about €5 each. If you use the tube where a small flatplate is welded inside the tube, the replacement costs will be a lot more - pretty much the cost of the panel.

The other downside to tubes is appearance - some people just hate the look of them. Personally I would give up beauty for efficiency any day, but not everyone takes that view.

In terms of size of panel, in a well insulated house where you are trying to extend the season, I would go for higher area. You may also have to take in factors like roof orientation, whether the house is occupied during the day, etc. If you are using a higher area, I would certainly incorporate a heat dump to divert the surplus during summer. Q

PeteHeat

Hi,

Like quentingargen we do both, if fitting to a new roof especially with a slate finish I always recommend in roof flat plate / panels.

Easy to fit, the right systems have quality flashing systems, they look like they are part of the roof not something that can often look like a temporary fixture.

As to efficiency the initial figures state tubes are more efficient however an extra flat plate panel should more than compensate for the difference.

One thing both quentingargen and I agree on is fitting a heat dump to ensure the long life of the system.

.