[RE-wrenches] Solar thermal covering

[toddcory at finestplanet.com]

I sized our glycol based SHW system to maximize winter production, so the two, 4 X 10 flat plate collectors are at a steep angle, but in the summer, when hot water needs are minimal, the system still produces more then is needed. 

I do have a 5000 BTU hydronic heater to dump excess heat, but this is inside the house to facilitate spring and fall excess production space heating, which is of course unwanted in the summer.

My suggestion for your client is to do what I do, namely (hire someone to) seasonally cover most of her collectors with shade cloth which is the easiest solution.

Todd





On Tuesday, June 17, 2025 7:28am, "jay via RE-wrenches" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> said:


All of these options would be possible for someone younger and able, but the client is early 80’s and she wants it to work correctly without having to do the manual cover/uncover which given the collector area, elevation and temps etc isn’t an option.  
Which means please let me know of a good resource for solar thermal products.  
Specifically I need to convert this to a drain back system.  
I’ll need the drain back tank and new pump station 
thanks
jay




On Jun 15, 2025, at 8:35 PM, Bradley Bassett via RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

When I found that my system was somewhat oversized, I plumbed in a mixing valve and a heat dump radiator (a few Cu pipes) in the crawl space to dump the heat. It's on the solar supply line and it works like a charm. It actually adds a very modest amount of heat to the crawl space, not enough to notice. It's going on 20 years without any issues, probably because it's an anti-freeze system so no mineral buildup in the mixing valve. I've also heard of using a fin radiator under the eve for this instead of the crawl space. The crawl space was easier for me.  
Brad Bassett


On Sun, Jun 15, 2025 at 5:02 PM david quattro via RE-wrenches <[ re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org ]( mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org )> wrote:
There must be a variable mixing valve that is informed and controlled by a thermocouple



On Sun, Jun 15, 2025 at 4:46 PM Jay via RE-wrenches <[ re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org ]( mailto:re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org )> wrote:Hi all

 I’ve inherited an incorrectly sized solar thermal evacuated tube system. 
 It’s too many tubes for the use most of the year. 

 Does anyone know of a design or product that can remotely cover them?  
 I can find shade cloth of course that I can cover them but something remote control would be better 

 Thx
 Jay




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