SHW - Solar Hot Water

Has anyone in this group made their own solar hot water system?

I havent, but someone at work has, and he tells me that it preheats the water to 50C even when it's -20C outside!

Amazing stuff.

Hello, I built a 4'x11'6" Solar water Glycol system. Built and installed 2008 August.
We live in Northern Montana,USA during this summer it made on average 50 gallons of
124 degree F from 70F.. 80 F inlet temp.on Pre-tank and it brought Main tank up to same temp from set point of 110 degree's. Will be better next year as will be trimming a tree.

Beings as it was built DIY I added a Air system to under side which is also 12 volt powered air movement.
Only for fall and winter time,early spring. Plan on adding a Evacuated tube system for second stage on
final return.
Was a fun project and now working on wind turbine to keep batteries charged & will direct excess to 12volt
immersion heater installed in pre tank with Morning star 45.

I've been looking at this but I'm going to buy a 20 tube unit and plumb it in myself.
Been looking at all the pumps and control units but I don't want that :mrgreen:
My plan now is to pick up a bargain in the next 2 months. Then in April I'm fixing the panel on my roof, all done from the roof window then I'm going to "T" off my tanks existing indirect coil. I want to be able to switch my gas off altogether.
My plan is if the water is not hot enough I'll just manually switch the gas on for an hour and isolate the panel.
The panel will thermosyphon just like my boiler does now,I'm lucky that my tank is in the loft.
Everyone tells me that it wont work but then they would because they want to sell me a pump and controller :mrgreen:
I will then drain the system down for winter.
Total cost should be £400ish! :mrgreen:
Should pay for itself in 3 years.

Has anyone in this group made their own solar hot water system?

Going back to the original question. I have not!!

Still waiting for the snow to melt around here. It's been a long, cold winter in December.