Types of Solar Heating Systems

Active solar systems may use air or water, depending on which fluid it they use to heat the solar energy collectors. The sun heats fluid inside the collector. Air and water solar heating systems collect and absorb solar radiation, then transfer the heat directly to an interior space or storage device, and this distributes the heat. The solar hot water heating system is the most common and most popular. The solar air heating system demands large collector surfaces and storage units except those that pump hot air directly into a space. They can easily overheat if poorly controlled, and they use the most stored energy.

The Batch ICS Solar System

• A batch ICS solar system comprises a solar collector and a storage tank merged into a single unit or a water tank within a glazed box. Solar energy heats water directly inside the collector, and pressure moves the hot water to the top of the batch tank for use. The batch system preheats the water for the existing domestic water heater.This system requires low or no maintenance, costs less and performs efficiently in the appropriate climate. However, the capacity of the tank limits its optimization. Its performance decreases greatly in freezing and very hot climates, and its heavy weight makes it inflexible and cumbersome during installation.

The Thermo-Syphon Solar System

• This system is also very simple, efficient and popular in hot and moderate climates. The installation costs little and requires no pumps or special control devices. The system uses a natural convection principle, whereby hot water rises and cold water sinks. A reliable system with low or no maintenance, it exhibits better flexibility since it can store the hot water in a well-insulated tank instead of the collector itself. This property enables prolonged use of water. A major disadvantage lies in the fact that the system depends heavily on air temperatures. If the temperature drops below freezing point for a sustained period, the system will stop functioning. Installation is easy, and you can connect the system to existing hot water lines.

Solar Open Active Heating System

• This hot water system uses circulating pumps and water at the collector level. The use of pumps increases its flexibility and efficiency. The system uses flat-plate collectors and can function in extremely hot temperatures.

Anti-Freezing Solar Heating System

• This system uses anti-freezing fluid or glycol instead of water at the collector level. Its constitution is complex, supports extremely low temperatures and protects the system from damages caused by severe cold. However, it requires regular because of its numerous individual components.

Drainback Solar Heating System

• Easy to maintain and relatively cheap, the drainback system exhibits superior efficiency in extremely cold weather. Evacuated tube collectors and pumps heat and circulate water, dropping the hot water into a reservoir tank using gravity. The system demonstrates high reliability with great energy-saving capacity. However, it requires large pumps, which may prove cumbersome during installation.

Direct Air Space Heating System

• This system mainly consists of an auxilliary space heater. Hot air flows directly into a space, propelled by fans or a forced-air system. The system requires more solar resources and costs more than other systems, and it may not provide the complete heating needs of a space. Also, the system may inject excessive air into a space due to lack of proper controls and storage equipment.

Solar powered Radiators and Boiler System

• The radiator and boiler system uses oil or gas boilers to raise the hot water produced to the required temperature range of 160 to 180 degrees. It offers high efficiency and provides good energy savings.

Solar-Powered Radiant Heating Systems

• The radiant system is very expensive to install. Each comprises a solar hot water subsystem and a floor-radiant heating subsystem. Functionality becomes optimal at low temperatures. Radiant slabs may take long initially to heat up but provide a consistent level of heat once heated.