Copper Piping for solar System?

BigGeorge

Looking to figure out if solar panels needs stainless steel piping or is copper up to the high temperatures? If using copper, are there any specific requirements for the joints / gaskets etc..

Also, the insulation is armaflex HT, but looking to know what the recommended insulation depth is - the runs are quite long

Any advice appreciated - many thanks

JohnnieK

You can use copper with compression fittings or silver solder joints (Kuproutectic) but if the latter it will need to be flushed before the glycol goes in to remove deposits from the soldering process. Joints should be made with solar paste. The HT armaflex is the one wall thickness as far as I know.

To be honest the stainless is easier to work with and comes pre-insulated with the cable in it too. It's probably cheaper too.

kscobie

Rule of thumb used to be that for a 1/2" pipe, use 1/2" wall thickness, for 3/4" pipe, use 3/4" wall thickness