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Solar Water Heater - Parts

The construction of the panel was a bit ad-hoc and used the details in the original document we bought as a guide.  The basic materials used are:

  • PSE Pine - 18mm x 94mm x 2.4M  x 3 off
  • CLS Pine - 38mm x 63mm x 2.4M  x 5 off          (for the stand frame)
  • Pine Stripwood - 34mm x 9mm x 2.4M  x 2 off     (for beading)
  • Pine Stripwood - 18mm x 9mm x 2.4M  x 2 off     (for beading)
  • PSE Pine - 45mm x 18mm x 2.4M  x 2 off
  • 6mm Ply Sheet 8ft x 4ft
  • 4mm thick Sheet of glass - 815mm x 1290mm
  • 15mm Copper pipe (about 6-8 2m lengths)
  • 15mm Yorkshire (solder) Tee connectors x 8
  • 15mm Yorkshire Elbow connectors x 2
  • 15mm Compression Elbow connectors x 2
  • Panel pins 20mm
  • 8 Gauge 1in to 2in countersunk screws
  • 0.9mm thick Aluminium sheet 1M x 1.25M          (for collector Fins)
  • Can of black matt spray paint                   (Hammerite Heat Resistant is good)
  • Silicon Mastic
  • 15mm Compression (both ends) flexible hose x 2  (so the panel can be adjusted)

My estimated cost for the prototype panel is between £120-£160.  For the installation you will need more parts, such as extra copper pipe, flexible hoses, header tank, other compression fittings etc.

All told, I would estimate that the panel cost £200 with the extra bits listed above.  As this is a prototype I don't as yet have any figures for temperature/sun levels, so can't say how much money you will save on heating costs, but would guess that you'd get your money back in a couple of years.  You don't also need the timber for the stand frame if you're going to roof mount your panel.

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