Do-it-yourself solar collector - cheap heat for heating your home! Heating a house with a self-made solar collector. Solar collectors made of steel pipes.

The rise in cost of traditional energy sources encourages private home owners to look for alternative options for heating their homes and heating water. Agree, the financial component of the issue will play an important role when choosing a heating system.

One of the most promising methods of energy supply is the conversion of solar radiation. For this purpose, solar systems are used. Understanding the principle of their design and the mechanism of operation, making a solar collector for heating with your own hands will not be difficult.

We will tell you about the design features of solar systems, offer a simple assembly diagram and describe the materials that can be used. The stages of work are accompanied by visual photographs, the material is supplemented by videos about the creation and commissioning of a home-made collector.

Modern solar systems are one of the sources of heat. They are used as auxiliary heating equipment that converts solar radiation into energy useful to home owners.

They are able to fully provide hot water supply and heating during the cold season only in the southern regions. And only if they occupy a sufficiently large area and are installed in open areas not shaded by trees.

Despite the large number of varieties, their operating principle is the same. Any one is a circuit with a sequential arrangement of devices that supply thermal energy and transmit it to the consumer.

The main working elements are solar collectors. The technology on photographic plates is somewhat more complicated than that of a tubular collector.

In this article we will look at the second option – a solar collector system.

Solar collectors still serve as auxiliary energy suppliers. It is dangerous to completely switch home heating to a solar system due to the inability to predict a clear number of sunny days

Collectors are a system of tubes connected in series to the output and input lines or laid out in the form of a coil. Process water, air flow, or a mixture of water and some kind of non-freezing liquid circulates through the tubes.

Circulation is stimulated by physical phenomena: evaporation, changes in pressure and density from the transition from one state of aggregation to another, etc.

The collection and accumulation of solar energy is carried out by absorbers. This is either a solid metal plate with a blackened outer surface, or a system of individual plates attached to tubes.

For the manufacture of the upper part of the body, the lid, materials with a high ability to transmit light are used. This can be plexiglass, similar polymer materials, tempered types of traditional glass.

In order to eliminate energy loss, thermal insulation is placed in the box on the back side of the device

It must be said that polymer materials do not tolerate the influence of ultraviolet rays quite well. All types of plastic have a fairly high coefficient of thermal expansion, which often leads to depressurization of the housing. Therefore, the use of such materials for the manufacture of the collector body should be limited.

Water as a coolant can only be used in systems designed to supply additional heat in the autumn/spring period. If you plan to use the solar system all year round, before the first cold snap, change the process water to a mixture of it and antifreeze.

If a solar collector is installed to heat a small building that has no connection with the autonomous heating of the cottage or with centralized networks, a simple single-circuit system with a heating device at the beginning is constructed.

The chain does not include circulation pumps and heating devices. The scheme is extremely simple, but it can only work in sunny summers.

When a collector is included in a double-circuit technical structure, everything is much more complicated, but the range of days suitable for use is significantly increased. The collector processes only one circuit. The predominant load is placed on the main heating unit, running on electricity or any type of fuel.

Home craftsmen have invented a cheaper option - a spiral heat exchanger made of.

An interesting budget solution is a solar system absorber made of a flexible polymer pipe. Suitable fittings are used to connect to the devices at the inlet and outlet. The choice of available materials from which a solar collector heat exchanger can be made is quite wide. This could be the heat exchanger of an old refrigerator, polyethylene water pipes, steel panel radiators, etc.

An important criterion for efficiency is the thermal conductivity of the material from which the heat exchanger is made.

For self-production, copper is the best option. It has a thermal conductivity of 394 W/m². For aluminum, this parameter varies from 202 to 236 W/m².

However, the large difference in thermal conductivity parameters between copper and polypropylene pipes does not mean that a heat exchanger with copper pipes will produce hundreds of times larger volumes of hot water.

Under equal conditions, the performance of a heat exchanger made of copper pipes will be 20% more efficient than the performance of metal-plastic options. So heat exchangers made from polymer pipes have a right to life. In addition, such options will be much cheaper.

Regardless of the material of the pipes, all connections, both welded and threaded, must be sealed. The pipes can be placed either parallel to each other or in the form of a coil.

The coil-type circuit reduces the number of connections - this reduces the likelihood of leaks and ensures a more uniform flow of coolant.

The top of the box in which the heat exchanger is located is covered with glass. As an alternative, you can use modern materials, such as an acrylic analogue or monolithic polycarbonate. The translucent material may not be smooth, but grooved or matte.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Manufacturing process of a basic solar collector:

How to assemble and commission a solar system:

Naturally, a self-made solar collector will not be able to compete with industrial models. Using available materials, it is quite difficult to achieve the high efficiency that industrial designs have. But the financial costs will be much lower compared to purchasing ready-made installations.

Almost every owner of a private home has to face problems with heating residential premises and obtaining hot water. Today, there are many different systems that allow you to successfully solve these problems. Alternative heating sources deserve special attention, in particular a collector that uses solar energy as fuel. This unit is extremely easy to assemble and profitable to use.

DIY solar collector

Basic information about homemade solar collectors

The average efficiency of homemade solar collectors reaches 50-60%, which is a very good indicator.

Professional units have an efficiency of about 80-85%, but you need to take into account the fact that they are quite expensive, and almost everyone can afford to purchase materials for assembling a homemade collector.

The power of an ordinary solar collector will be enough to heat water and heat living rooms.

In this regard, everything depends on the design features, which are determined and calculated individually.

Assembly of the unit does not require difficult-to-handle, hard-to-reach tools or expensive materials.

Tools for DIY solar collector assembly

Hammer.
Electric drill.
Hammer.
Hacksaw.

There are several varieties of the design in question. They differ from each other in efficiency and final cost. Under any circumstances, a homemade unit will cost an order of magnitude cheaper than a factory model with similar characteristics.

One of the most optimal options is a vacuum solar collector. This is the most budget-friendly and easiest-to-use option.

Solar collector design

The units in question have a fairly simple design. In general, the system includes a pair of collectors, a front chamber and a storage tank. The operation of the solar collector is carried out according to a simple principle: as the sun's rays pass through the glass, they are converted into heat. The system is organized in such a way that these rays are not able to leave the confined space.

The installation operates on the thermosiphon principle. During the heating process, the warm liquid rushes upward, displacing cold water from there and directing it to the heat source. This allows you to even avoid using a pump, because... the liquid will circulate on its own. The installation accumulates solar energy and stores it within the system for a long time.

Components for assembling the installation in question are sold in specialized stores. At its core, such a collector is a tubular radiator installed in a special wood box, one of the edges of which is made of glass.

To manufacture the mentioned radiator, pipes are used. The optimal material for making pipes is steel. The inlet and outlet are made from pipes traditionally used in the installation of water supply systems. Typically ¾ inch pipes are used, 1 inch products also work well.

The grate is made from smaller pipes with thinner walls. The recommended diameter is 16 mm, the optimal wall thickness is 1.5 mm. Each radiator grille must include 5 pipes, each 160 cm long.

Important nuances of assembling a collector with your own hands

The first stage is assembling the box. To assemble the previously mentioned box, wooden boards about 12 cm wide and 3-3.5 cm thick are used. The bottom is made of hardboard or plywood sheet. The bottom must be reinforced with slats measuring 5x3 cm. Select the length of the slats according to the size of the bottom.

The second stage is insulation of the box. The box needs high-quality insulation. The best and most convenient option to use is foam boards. Mineral wool also works well. The insulation is placed on the bottom of the box.

The third stage is the arrangement of the radiator box. The laid insulation must be covered with a layer of galvanized sheet metal. Clamps are used to connect the radiator and the laid sheet of metal. Pre-paint the radiator pipe and metal decking with matte black paint.

The outside of the box is painted white, and the glass is sealed using compounds specially designed for such tasks. This will minimize heat loss. The pipes are connected in the standard manner using tees, couplings, and angles. The pipes used in assembling the manifold are connected manually without much effort.

The fourth stage is the preparation of the storage tank. A tank is responsible for the accumulation of heat in the system under consideration, the capacity of which can be in the range of 200-400 liters. Select the specific volume based on your personal water needs. The tank can be made from a barrel. If you can't find a suitable barrel, use pipes.

The tank needs insulation. It is best to install it in a box made of plywood sheets or wooden boards, and fill the space between the walls of the box and the container with sawdust, foam plastic or other heat-insulating material.

The fifth stage is the preparation of the fore-chamber. The system in question includes a unit called an advance chamber. The main function of this device is to pump up the constant excess pressure required for the full operation of the system based on the solar collector. The anterior chamber is made from a suitable container of 35-45 liters. A can is perfect. Additionally, the unit is equipped with a feeding device to automate the operation.

Step-by-step instructions for assembling the unit

Coolant circulation diagram

The first stage is the installation of the drive and front camera. The mentioned units are located in the attic of the house. Make sure the ceiling at the installation location can support the weight of the water containers. Install the front camera next to the drive. Do this so that the liquid level in the fore-chamber is approximately 100 cm higher than the water level in the storage tank.

The second stage is choosing a place to install the solar heater. The unit is fixed on the southern wall of the building. It is important to maintain the correct slope of the heater to the horizon. The optimal value is 45 degrees. The collector must be attached to the house so that the solar panels look like an extension of the roof.

The third stage is the connection of individual elements. To complete this task, you need to buy inch and half-inch steel pipes. You will use half-inch ones to connect high-pressure elements of the system - from the water inlet to the anterior chamber. Inch pipes are used in the low-pressure part.

It is important that the connections are airtight; air pockets are unacceptable in this case.

The pipes must first be painted white or another light color. A layer of heat-insulating material is fixed on top of the paint. In this case, foam rubber is optimal. A layer of polyethylene is wound over the insulation, and then a woven tape. Finally, the pipes are painted white again.

The fourth stage is filling the system with liquid. Water must be supplied through special drainage valves installed at the bottom of the radiators. This will avoid the formation of air locks. When water begins to flow from the drainage, the operation can be considered complete.

The fifth stage is connecting the front camera. This unit must be connected to a water supply inlet. After connection, open the flow valve. You will see that the amount of water in the forechamber will begin to decrease.

The advantage of such a solar collector, assembled with your own hands, is that it can heat water even in cloudy weather.

At night, the air temperature becomes lower than the temperature of the heated water. Under such conditions, the collector will begin to heat the environment and generally operate in the reverse mode. To avoid this, the system is equipped with a valve that prevents the possibility of reverse circulation. It will be enough to simply turn off this valve in the evening, and the energy will be stored in the system.

If the thermal conductivity of the collector is not high enough, it can be increased by adding sections. The design will allow you to do this without any difficulty.

You can, of course, artificially adjust the direction of solar panels in relation to the Sun by placing additional structures under the collector

Thus, there is nothing difficult in assembling a solar heater yourself. Such work also does not require large financial investments, but it is strongly recommended to buy only high-quality materials from well-known manufacturers. Approach your work with maximum responsibility, do not violate the recommendations given, and you will receive an excellent source of heat and hot water, powered by free energy. Good luck!

DIY solar collector - installation instructions!

Learn how to make a solar collector with your own hands. Step-by-step instructions describing the main technological stages. Photo + video.

Making solar collectors with your own hands

Solar collectors (water heaters) They are widely used for heating water and heating houses using solar energy, not only in the summer, but throughout the year. In this section you will learn how to make a solar collector (water heater) with your own hands from scrap materials and at minimal cost.

How to make a high-efficiency solar collector from a metal-plastic pipe

The efficiency of a homemade solar collector can be significantly increased, making minor modifications to the design, namely installing on pipes absorbers. Thus, even using a metal-plastic pipe as a heat exchanger, you can build a solar collector that can boil water in sunny weather.

Which glass to choose when making a solar collector with your own hands

The efficiency of a solar collector directly depends on the glazing used.

Glazing must have the following properties:

– Be light in weight

– UV resistance

– Resist elevated temperatures

Choosing insulation in the manufacture of a solar collector

There are many different brands and types of insulation. They differ in their thermal insulation properties, physical characteristics, cost, and ease of use. You will be presented with a list of insulation materials that are most common on the market and which of this list can be used.

Selection of pipes for the manufacture of a solar collector heat exchanger

Today, manufacturers provide the market with a wide range of pipes from different materials. All these pipes have their own advantages and disadvantages according to their indicators. Here we will consider pipes that are most optimally suited for the manufacture of collectors and water supply distribution.

Making your own solar water heater

During production DIY solar water heater The goal was to provide warm water for a summer shower, in which, with frequent use, the water simply did not have time to heat up even with strong solar activity.

Calculation of solar collector area

When building a hot water supply system using solar collectors, many people ask the question: " How much collector area should be used?"In order not to frighten you with complex formulas and calculations, I will offer a diagram by which you can easily calculate the approximate area of the collector for your needs.

How to make a solar concentrator from flat mirrors

The advantage of solar concentrators is that they can convert water into steam (depending on the speed of the water in the heat exchanger). Why is this necessary? But this is necessary, for example, for steaming concrete and wood products, starting a steam engine, etc.

Manufacturing a solar collector with a copper heat exchanger

If your roof is covered with black roofing felt or dark-colored asphalt shingles, you may be able to save money on the thermal insulation of the rear wall and make a solar collector (water heater) with your own hands. Of course, the area where the solar collector will be installed must face the direction of the sun.

DIY solar concentrator for heating water

Basics dignity solar concentrator (reflector) is that they can achieve higher efficiencies. By focusing a high density of solar energy at one point, they are capable of turn water into steam in a matter of seconds.

How to make a 2kW solar collector for a swimming pool

After building a budget pool, the idea came to build a solar collector that would be able to heat 10 cubic meters of water to a comfortable temperature for swimming. For this purpose, a collector with an area of 4 sq.m. was built. and an approximate power of 2 kW.

Making a solar collector from an old window frame

Many of us have long replaced old wooden windows with metal-plastic ones. And such a replacement is largely related not to the exterior, but to the preservation of heat in our apartments. We simply threw the old window frames and glass into the trash bin as unnecessary. Although, on the other hand, the window frame (which opens with a book) can still serve us well as a solar collector (water heater).

Basic connection diagrams for solar collectors

The efficiency of a solar collector depends not only on the materials from which it is made, but also on how correctly it is installed and mounted. The connection diagram largely depends on the requirements for the solar collector. Since there are a great many connection variations, I will give only the main, basic diagrams.

How to make a solar collector from plastic bottles

During the summer heat, mineral water, drinks, juices, etc. are in greatest demand among the population. However, without noticing it, we are increasing the amount of waste on the planet by throwing used plastic bottles and tetra packs into the trash. On the other hand, this “garbage” can be used for your own benefit, i.e. make a solar collector from plastic bottles. Thus, we will get free hot water, spending a minimum of money on it, and make our planet a little cleaner.

DIY solar collector from an old refrigerator

To obtain hot water using solar energy, you can assemble with your own hands simple solar collector from materials that can easily be found at your home. yard At the same time, manufacturing costs will be very minimal. As heat exchanger(the basics of a solar collector), we will use a capacitor from an old refrigerator (a grill that is attached to the back of the refrigerator).

Solar water heater from an old electric boiler

Many faulty electric boilers are simply thrown into a landfill, although on the other hand, the boiler can be given a second life, and make your own solar water heater from it using free solar energy to heat water.

How to make a flat-plate solar collector from polypropylene

How to make a large solar collector from PEX pipe

Often, the construction of one large collector is cheaper in price than the construction of smaller, but larger numbers. It's about construction of a solar collector from a plastic pipe, only more impressive in size.

How to make a solar collector from hoses

Many people have noticed that if you leave a hose with water in the sun, then after turning on the water, very hot water flows from the hose (especially if the hose is dark in color). So why don't we make a solar collector using a hose or polyethylene pipe simply rolled into a ring.

Making solar collectors with your own hands

Solar collectors (water heaters) are widely used for heating water and heating houses using solar energy, not only in the summer, but throughout the year. You will learn how to make a solar collector (water heater) with your own hands from scrap materials and at minimal cost.

We tell you how to make a solar collector for heating with your own hands

All kinds of solar collectors are developed using the latest technologies and modern materials. Thanks to such devices, it happens solar energy conversion. The resulting energy can heat water, heat rooms, greenhouses and greenhouses.

Devices can be mounted on walls, roofs of a private house, greenhouse. For large rooms, it is recommended to purchase factory-made devices. Now solar systems are constantly being improved. Therefore, solar panels increase in price, attracting the attention of consumers. The cost of factory-made devices is almost equal to the financial costs spent on their manufacture. The price increase occurs only due to the financial markup of resellers. The cost of the collector is commensurate with the cash costs that will be required to install a classic heating system.

Today, the production of such devices is gaining increasing popularity. It's worth noting that uh The effectiveness of a homemade device is much inferior in quality to factory devices. But a do-it-yourself unit can heat a small room, private house or outbuildings easily and quickly.

Principle of operation

But the principle of water heating is identical - all devices operate according to the same designed scheme. In good weather, the sun's rays begin to heat the coolant. It passes through thin elegant tubes, falling into a tank of liquid. The coolant and tubes are placed along the entire inner surface of the tank. Thanks to this principle, the liquid in the apparatus is heated. Later, the heated water is allowed to be used for domestic needs. Thus, you can heat the room and use the heated liquid for shower cabins as hot water supply.

The water temperature can be controlled by developed sensors. If the liquid cools too much, below a predetermined level, a special backup heating will automatically turn on. The solar collector can be connected to an electric or gas boiler.

An operating diagram suitable for all solar water heaters is presented. This device is perfect for heating a small private house. To date, several devices have been developed: flat, vacuum and air devices. The operating principle of such devices is very similar. The coolant is heated from the sun's rays with further energy release. But there are a lot of differences in work.

Flat-plate collector

Heating of the coolant in such a device occurs thanks to a plate absorber. It is a flat plate of heat-intensive metal. The upper surface of the plate is painted in a dark shade with a specially developed paint. A serpentine tube is welded to the bottom of the device.

The dark selective paint covering the top surface of the plate absorbs the powerful rays of the sun. Sun reflection is reduced to a minimum. The absorbed energy warms up the coolant under the absorber. To minimize heat loss, you can use thermal insulation of the housing using tempered glass. This material contains a minimal amount of iron oxides. The glass is mounted above the absorber. The device serves as the top cover of the housing. Tempered glass also creates a “greenhouse effect” in the form of an insulating greenhouse. This significantly increases the heating of the absorber, increasing the temperature of the coolant. This device is perfect for heating a private home. Also the unit installed in greenhouses, shower cabins, garden greenhouses and greenhouses.

Vacuum manifold

Compared to the flat device, the vacuum manifold has a different design. The main working elements are considered to be evacuated tubes, as well as coolant. Thanks to the highly selective coating, the glass surface of the device absorbs a large amount of sun. Solar energy begins to quickly heat the internal coolant. Heat loss is eliminated using a vacuum layer. The accumulated heat passes through the heat collector, moving towards the device system itself.

If we consider the work as a whole, then the vacuum manifold has the highest productivity compared to a flat device. The unit can be installed on the roof of a private house, in greenhouses, greenhouses, hotbeds, and summer showers.

Air manifold

Air manifold is one of the most successful developments. But air-type solar panels are very rare. Such devices are not suitable for home heating or hot water supply. They are used for air conditioning. The coolant is oxygen, which is heated by solar energy. Solar panels of this type are identified by a ribbed steel panel painted in a dark shade. The operating principle of this device is a natural or automatic supply of oxygen to private homes. Oxygen is heated under the panel using solar radiation, thereby creating air conditioning.

Pros of solar systems

Reduce energy consumption by at least 2-3 times;
Due to the severe depletion of natural resources, DIY units can become indispensable heating sources;
It is allowed to add additional substances to the air apparatus to impart specific aromatic properties. Antifreeze is added to the water of the flat and vacuum manifold. They help prevent liquids from freezing at low atmospheric temperatures;

Disadvantages of solar systems

Recent introduction of devices into operation;
Impossibility of installing units in some regions due to time zone, length of daylight hours, location of the area, weather conditions;
In most cases, a DIY device is recommended to be used only as an additional source of energy. It is not practical to use solar panels for complete heat generation;

Solar installation connection diagram:

What will you need?

In order to make an air, flat or vacuum unit with your own hands, will be needed:

Temperature sensors located in the device and storage device;
Adapters for connecting the system to cold water supply;
Drain for hot water supply;
Special temperature sensors for heating liquid;
Expansion tank;
Circulation pump;
Solar regulator;

Construction drawing:

Assembly instructions

First of all it is necessary to determine the dimensions of the future device. Therefore, it is recommended to carefully calculate the area on which the device will be located. An important factor in the calculation is determining the intensity of solar radiation. In the coldest regions, the solar energy is weakened, in the southern regions of the country it is increased. The location of the house, greenhouse or other sources in which the unit will be located also affects the calculations. Another important fact is the material of the heating circuit. The lower the material index, the lower the temperature of the air or water flow.

Build process

Main stages of work:

Box production;
Production of a special heat exchanger, as well as a radiator;
Production of drive and front camera;
Aggregation;

Commissioning;

Box production

For the box you will need an edged board 30x120 mm ±5 mm. The bottom of the box is made of textolite, equipped with special ribs. Thanks to the foam, good thermal insulation is created. The bottom is covered with galvanized sheet.

Heat exchanger production

You will need metal tubes. The length of the pipes must be at least 1.6 m. Quantity: 15 pieces. It is also necessary to use two inch pipes 0.7 m long.
In thicker tubes, small holes should be drilled with identical diameters to the smaller tubes. Holes will be needed to install pipes. The drilled holes must be coaxial, located on the same axis. Their maximum step should be no more than 4.5 cm.
All tubes necessary for operation must be assembled into a whole structure. For reliability, they are welded using a welding machine.
A heat exchanger is mounted on the galvanized sheet covering the bottom of the box. For reliability, it can be secured with metal clamps or steel clamps.
For better absorption of rays, the bottom of the structure is painted a dark shade. The external components of the structure are painted in a light shade. A white shade is perfect. It helps reduce heat loss.
A cover glass is placed near the partitions. The joints are carefully sealed.
The average distance between structural elements is 11 mm.

Storage drive production

It is allowed to use both a one-piece barrel and various welded structures. The storage tank should be insulated from heat loss. The anterior chamber must be equipped with a swivel valve - a mechanism that supplies liquid. The volume of the anterior chamber should be 36-40 liters.

Aggregation

First of all, the drive and front camera are installed. The height of the water in the front chamber should be 0.8 m higher than in the storage tank. It is necessary to consider a liquid shut-off device.
The collector intended for heating is fixed to the frame of the building. A device designed to heat water can be placed on the roof of a greenhouse, conservatory or home. To place the device, choose the south side. The installation should have an inclination to the horizon of 35-40°.
The distance between the heat exchanger and the storage tank should be no more than 50-70 cm. Otherwise, the loss of solar energy will be greatly noticeable.
The collector should be located below the drive, and the drive below the anterior chamber.

Commissioning

For final assembly, you will need special shut-off valves in the form of various adapters, bends or fittings. The high-pressure sections of the solar array are connected with special pipes with a diameter of 0.5 inches. For low-pressure areas, it is recommended to use pipes with a diameter of 1 inch.

Using the lower drainage hole, the structure is filled with water;
A front camera is attached to the device;
The fluid levels are adjusted;
It is recommended to check the battery for water leaks;

After assembling and checking the design, you can begin operation;

Manufacturing or purchasing a ready-made solution?

Homemade devices designed for heating and water heating have low efficiency. Therefore, such structures are recommended for heating a greenhouse, flower greenhouse, or small private room. An air, flat or vacuum device can significantly increase the level of comfort in a country house or country house. The devices reduce the cost of electricity consumed by conventional power sources. Thanks to the introduction of new technologies, the use of solar systems is gaining momentum. But for cold regions of the country, factory designs should be purchased.

DIY solar collector for heating

We are talking about the possibility of making a solar collector for heating with your own hands. Thanks to such devices, solar energy is converted.

Do-it-yourself solar collector: types, operating principles and photos

The use of solar energy is no longer new. It can be used for local heating of water, for example, in a country house. Such heating can also be used for heating, but the cost of additional equipment will be quite high. Building a solar collector with your own hands is not fantastic!

To use solar energy, special collectors are used. There are several device options for different purposes. There are these types of elements:

Flat-plate collector

They can be called a solar panel. It is profitable and easy to create a flat solar collector with your own hands. There is an absorber panel in the center of this device. This panel is made of metals that conduct heat well, most often copper or aluminum. In order for the collector to perform its function well, namely to absorb solar energy as much as possible and convert it into heat with minimal losses, a special composition must be applied to its surface. Its surface is protected by glass with a minimal iron content. This glass has good transmission capacity, minimal light reflection and is good protection from environmental influences. The absorber has a casing along its perimeter to protect it from mechanical influences; it is usually made of steel or aluminum. The housing and lower part of the collector are thermally insulated. The flat element is capable of transferring heat to the coolant that is located in it. It can be plain water or antifreeze.

The flat collector can be placed in any position. It is usually mounted on the roof, but it will work just as well anywhere else. You can build such a solar collector with your own hands without large investments.

If we talk about factory elements, flat ones can be of standard sizes, with an area of up to 2.5 m2.
If more power is required, several standard panels can be installed together. They will form a single solar heat system.

Flat-plate collectors have the advantage of being cheaper than their vacuum counterparts. But at low ambient temperatures, such collectors lose a lot of energy and the efficiency level decreases. Therefore, for use in summer, a flat collector will be sufficient, but in winter it will be almost twice as inferior to a vacuum collector.

Such a collector consists of tubes with a vacuum inside them. The structure of each tube resembles that of a thermos, which is based on a copper rod, the shell of such a thermos is a milk glass flask, and there is a vacuum between them. The inner shell of the tube is coated with a special black paint, and the outer glass is transparent. The tubes are connected using a connecting module.

The price category of this type of collectors is higher than the analogues of flat models, but the advantage is determined by their benefits of use in winter. You can make solar collectors for your home using scrap materials. They can be from other devices, for example, from a refrigerator. There should be no difficulties in repairing vacuum-type devices. If one of the tubes fails, the collector itself will continue to operate. But the heat output will be less.

Vacuum elements can be divided into:

It is more difficult to install a vacuum solar collector with your own hands than a flat one. It will be a little more expensive, but you need to evaluate the advantages of a vacuum before installing it.

It is not so difficult to build a solar collector with your own hands. But it is worth remembering that it will not be as effective as a similar one produced in an industrial environment. It is necessary to make an appropriate calculation of the benefits and effectiveness of this device.

How to make a solar collector with your own hands?

In order to begin constructing such a solar heat storage device, you need to independently perform the following steps:

prepare the basis for the future collector;
prepare the radiator for installation;
prepare a heat storage device;
install the collector directly.

The basis of the device can be an edged board with dimensions from 25-100 mm to 35-135 mm. From them you should make a box of a suitable size, insulate its bottom and put insulation (ordinary glass wool will do), and cover it with a galvanized sheet on top.

The heat exchanger is manufactured as follows:

You should purchase metal tubes: thin-walled and thick-walled.
In thick-walled pipes, holes must be made along the diameter of thin pipes with a pitch of no more than 45 mm. They are drilled on one side. Of course, a solar collector made by yourself will require time to prepare not only the necessary material, but also the tools.
At this stage, the tubes should be securely fastened in the holes and secured by welding.
The constructed structure is fixed on a galvanized sheet located on the box.
The next step is to paint the collector box black. It is advisable to only paint the bottom dark, and leave the remaining parts light, since it is the bottom that will absorb the sun's rays.
Then the cover glass is installed, maintaining a distance of at least 1 cm between it and the tubes.
Any sealed container can serve as a storage tank for the collector. Its volume can reach 400 liters (minimum 150 liters).
The next stage is the manufacture of the fore-chamber. This can be a container of up to 40 liters, a tap is installed on it, and it is this device that will supply water.
To avoid heat loss, it is necessary to thoroughly insulate the tank and the collector itself.

Assembling the device

Now we need to finally assemble it into a single whole. Assembly is carried out in several stages:

Installation of the drive and front camera. An important condition is that the liquid in the reservoir must be 80 mm below the level in the front chamber.
Placement of the collector in a prepared place. You can do this on the roof. It is necessary to maintain a tilt angle of 35-40 degrees, installing the element on the south side.
To minimize heat loss, a distance of at least 50 cm should be maintained between the heat exchanger and the storage tank.
The storage tank should be located above the collector and below the anterior chamber.

The most important stage remains - connecting to the system.

To do this, you need to fill the system with water, adjust its quantity, and make sure there are no leaks. If all conditions are met, such a collector can be used daily.

Such a DIY solar collector for heating will save a lot of money. Water heating systems based on a solar collector can be divided according to the type of water circulation.

Natural water circulation

With such a circulation system, the storage tank is located above the collector. According to natural laws, the water heats up and flows upward into the tank. In this case, cold water is displaced, it flows down and enters the collector. There it heats up and rises again. A tank of this design can be equipped with only two hoses: for supplying cold water and discharging hot water. Such a system is suitable for small country needs - a summer kitchen or shower.

Forced

Such a system does not depend on where the collector or storage tank is located. Water circulates in such a system thanks to an additionally supplied pump. Due to the fact that the installation of an electric pump is required, the cost of the collector increases. This increases productivity.

Along with flat and vacuum devices, it is possible to create an airborne solar collector with your own hands. Its design is much simpler than that of a water one, but its main drawback is significant - it cannot transfer all the accumulated heat. Air is a much worse conductor of heat than water.

It is impossible to say unequivocally which collector is better to choose. Everything will depend on where it will be applied and what level of efficiency is needed in a particular case. But it will help to make a choice by comparing the positive qualities and disadvantages of each type according to the following parameters:

Benefit from solar cell

There are advantages to installing a collector, but in each individual case there will be more or less of them. Main general advantages:

Saving artificially produced resources.
Refusal of artificial resources completely. This can be done if we are talking about low consumption.
Savings on the purchase of ready-made equipment, with the possibility of installing the collector yourself from available materials.
Independence from general heating networks. If there is no possibility of connecting to the central highway, solar collectors are a good replacement.

If the house is large and a sufficient number of people live in it, a complete rejection of artificial resources is impossible, but reducing them and saving on this is a completely feasible task.

Do-it-yourself solar collector: types, operating principles and photos

The use of solar energy is no longer new. It can be used for local heating of water, for example, in a country house. Such heating can also be used for heating, but the cost of additional equipment will be quite expensive. Building a solar collector with your own hands is no longer a fantasy.

The concept of an energy efficient home involves the creation, implementation and operation of renewable energy sources. Do-it-yourself solar collectors, which were extremely rare not so long ago, have become increasingly common.

The constant improvement of solar systems and a significant drop in prices for them have led to their even greater appearance in everyday life. The cost of factory models today is comparable to the costs required to install a classic heating system. However, anyone can do this technology on their own.

The principle of operation of the solar collector

To briefly describe the principle of operation of the collector, it is necessary to capture solar thermal energy. Subsequently, it is concentrated and used by humans.

The collector system consists of the following components:

Thermal accumulator (regular container for liquid)
Heat exchange circuit
Directly collector

Liquid or gaseous coolant circulates through the collector. The resulting energy heats it and, through a mounted storage tank, transfers heat to the water.

The heated liquid is stored in the tank until it is used. The scope of its application is very wide - from ordinary household needs to home heating. To prevent the water from cooling quickly, it is necessary to properly insulate the container.

Water circulation in the collector is done in one of two ways: or forced. An additional element that heats the liquid can be mounted in the storage tank, which will turn on when low ambient temperatures are reached and maintain the water temperature, for example, in winter, when the solstice is short.

Introductory video about the design of a water heater

Types of solar collectors

When planning to install a solar collector with your own hands in the house, you need to decide on the type of design:

Models in which air is the coolant are used extremely rarely. This is due to the properties of the liquid - it conducts heat much better than gas. Air collectors are often made flat in shape so that the air, in contact with the absorption device, naturally heats up.

air solar collector diagram

Vacuum solar collectors

Vacuum models are the most complex. Instead of a box that is covered with glass, it uses large glass tubes. Inside them there are tubes with a smaller diameter, which contain an absorber that collects thermal energy. There is a vacuum between the tubes, it acts as a heat insulator.

Flat-plate solar collectors

The most common is a flat solar collector, inside of which there is a special absorbent layer placed in a glass box. It is connected to tubes through which the coolant liquid (usually propylene glycol) moves.

flat solar collector diagram

But when deciding to make a solar collector with your own hands, you need to understand that it is impossible to make such complex devices, similar to industrial ones. In addition, their efficiency will be significantly lower, their service life will be shorter, but so will their material investments.

Structural drawings

Let's get started

Before building a solar collector, it is necessary to make the appropriate calculations and determine how much energy it should produce. But you shouldn’t expect high efficiency from a homemade installation. Having determined that there will be enough of it, you can begin.

The work can be divided into several main stages:

Make a box
Make a radiator or heat exchanger
Make a front camera and storage device
Assemble the collector

To make a box for a solar collector with your own hands, you should prepare an edged board of thickness 25-35 mm and width 100-130 mm. Its bottom should be made of textolite, equipped with ribs. It should also be well insulated using polystyrene foam (but preference is given to mineral wool), covered with a galvanized sheet.

Having prepared the box, it’s time to make the heat exchanger. You should follow the instructions:

It is necessary to prepare 15 thin-walled metal tubes 160 cm long and two inch pipes 70 cm long
In both thickened tubes, holes are drilled with the diameter of the smaller tubes into which they will be installed. In this case, you need to ensure that they are coaxial on one side, the maximum step between them is 4.5 cm
The next stage is that all the tubes need to be assembled into a single structure and welded securely
The heat exchanger is mounted on a galvanized sheet (previously attached to the box) and fixed with steel clamps (metal clamps can be made)
It is recommended to paint the bottom of the box in a dark color (for example, black) - it will better absorb solar heat, but to reduce heat loss, the external elements are painted white
To complete the installation of the collector, it is necessary to install a cover glass near the walls, while not forgetting about reliable sealing of the joints
A distance of 10-12 mm is left between the tubes and the glass

All that remains is to build a storage tank for the solar collector. Its role can be played by a sealed container, the volume of which varies about 150-400 l. If you cannot find one such barrel, you can weld several small ones together.

Like the collector, the storage tank is thoroughly insulated from heat loss. All that remains is to make a fore-chamber - a small vessel with a volume of 35-40 liters. It must be equipped with a water-falling device (a swivel valve).

The most responsible and important stage remains - to assemble the collector together. You can do it this way:

First you need to install the front camera and storage. It is necessary to ensure that the liquid level in the latter is 0.8 m lower than in the front chamber. Since a lot of water can accumulate in such devices, it is necessary to think about how they will be reliably shut off
The collector is placed on the roof of the house. Based on practice, it is recommended to do this on the south side, tilting the installation at an angle of 35-40 degrees to the horizontal
But you need to take into account that the distance between the storage tank and the heat exchanger should not exceed 0.5-0.7 m, otherwise the losses will be too significant
At the end, the following sequence should be obtained: the front camera must be located above the drive, the latter - above the collector

The most important stage is coming - it is necessary to connect all the components together and connect the water supply network to the finished system. To do this, you will need to visit a plumbing store and purchase the necessary fittings, adapters, sockets and other shut-off valves. It is recommended to connect high-pressure sections with a pipe with a diameter of 0.5 inches, low-pressure sections with a diameter of 1 inch.

Commissioning is carried out as follows:

The unit is filled with water through the bottom drainage hole
The anterior chamber is connected and the fluid levels are adjusted
It is necessary to walk along the system and check that there are no leaks
Everything is ready for everyday use

Solar collector from a refrigerator coil

You can make a solar collector with your own hands from an ordinary coil taken from an old refrigerator. To work you will need to prepare:

Directly coil
Slats and foil for the frame
Barrel or water tank
Rubber mat
Shut-off valves (valves, pipes, etc.)
Glass

After washing the coil of freon, you need to knock down the rack frame around it. Its exact dimensions will depend on the size of the working unit that was removed from the refrigerator. The rug must be adjusted to the slats, among which the coil must be positioned freely.

A foil layer is placed on the rubber mat (bottom of the frame). Then the coil is fixed using screw clamps. Holes are made in the walls through which pipes will pass. Productivity can be increased by sealing joints with sealants.

The bottom is also reinforced with slats. Glass is mounted on top and secured with tape. To avoid worry, you can cut out several aluminum plates and make clamps from them.

Video about the technical design and testing of the solar collector:

In custody

A structure such as a do-it-yourself solar collector can significantly increase the level of comfort in a country house or country house. Although insignificant, it reduces the cost of consumed energy generated by classical energy sources.

You can build the devices yourself.

Introductory video about the design of a water heater

Principle of operation

To date, various types of solar collectors have been developed.

Video about different types of alternative heating sources

Flat-plate collector

A solar collector is a device designed to absorb solar energy and convert it into heat for the purpose of its further transfer to a coolant. The classic device is a black metal plate placed in a glass or plastic case, the surface of which absorbs radiation. There are several types of them and their purpose may be different. Let's take a closer look at the operating principle of this device, as well as the step-by-step production of this object with our own hands.

Which ones exist?

Depending on the temperature that the plates can reach, collectors are:

low temperatures - they do not provide high-power energy, they heat water no more than 50 degrees Celsius;
medium temperatures - they heat water up to 80 degrees, so they can be used for heating rooms;
high temperatures - they are used mainly in industrial enterprises, and it is impossible to make them at home.

Integrated collectors are divided into:

cumulative integrated;
flat;
liquid;
air.

Cumulative integrated or otherwise thermosiphon collector. It can not only heat water, but also maintain the desired temperature for some time. It does not have pumps, so it is much more economical than other options. The storage device is a structure of one or more tanks filled with water and placed in a heat-insulating box. On top of the tanks there is a glass lid that passes through the glass and heats the water. This is an inexpensive, easy to maintain and easy to operate option. However, in winter its use is very difficult.

A flat-plate collector looks like an ordinary flat metal box, inside of which there is a black plate that absorbs sunlight. The glass lid of the box enhances it, the glass has a low iron content, thus helping to absorb all the rays. The box itself is thermally insulated, and the black plate is heat-receiving, which is why heat is released. However, the efficiency of the wafer is only 10%, so it is additionally coated with a layer of an amorphous semiconductor. Flat-plate collectors are used for space heating and other domestic needs.

In liquid storage devices, the main coolant is liquid. They are glazed and unglazed, with a closed and open heat exchange system.

Air collectors are much cheaper than their water counterparts. They do not freeze in winter and do not leak. They are used for drying agricultural products.

There is another type - hubs , they differ in the concentration of sunlight. This happens thanks to the mirror surface, which directs the light onto the absorbers. Their main drawback is the inability to work on cloudy days, so they are used in countries with hot climates.

Solar ovens and distillers. Distillers work on the principle of water evaporation, thereby not only providing heat energy, but also purifying the water. Stoves are also used for both heating and sterilizing water.

Photo gallery: different types of collectors

The design of the storage collector may contain several tanks. Flat-plate collectors are often used for heating premises and heating water in swimming pools. In a liquid collector, the heat carrier is water. Air collectors can also be used for drying fruits.

Scheme of work

The collector consists of two main parts: a light catcher and a heat exchange accumulator, which converts radiation energy into thermal energy and transfers it to the coolant. Accumulators can be vacuum, tube or flat. In the first, the design is similar to a thermos: one pipe is inserted into another, and there is a vacuum between them, creating ideal thermal insulation. Due to the cylindrical shape of the pipes, the sun's rays hit them perpendicularly and transmit maximum energy.

The solar collector consists of two main parts: a light collector and a heat exchange battery

The coolant in such structures is ordinary water. It can not only heat the room, but also serve for domestic needs. At the same time, there is no release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which is very important these days. In addition, no fuel costs are required, and the collector efficiency is 80%. In most of Russia, from March to October, on average, the sun produces 4-5 kWh/m2 per day, which allows a small device measuring 2m2 to heat up to 100 liters of water daily.

For all-season use, the collector must have a large surface area, two antifreeze circuits and additional heat exchangers. Thus, thanks to wisely used energy, you can receive free heat 7 months a year, regardless of whether it is clear outside or not.

Thermal energy for your home: how to make a collector with your own hands?

To manufacture the device, polycarbonate sheets, copper or polypropylene pipes can be used.

The most universal design is the development of the Bulgarian engineer Stanislav Stanilov. The main operating principle of this collector is the use of the greenhouse effect. The storage device is a tubular radiator placed in a heat-insulated wooden box, welded from steel pipes. Water pipes with a diameter of 1 or ¾ inches are used for supplying and discharging water.

The box is thermally insulated on all sides using polystyrene foam, polystyrene foam, mineral or ecowool. The bottom is especially carefully insulated, where a sheet of galvanized roofing iron is placed on top of the insulation, on which the radiator itself is placed. It is secured in the box with steel clamps. The metal sheet and radiator are painted with matte black paint, and the box is covered with white paint on all sides except the glass lid. The cover glass, through which sunlight will pass to the radiator, is well sealed. The heat accumulator can be a metal barrel placed in a plank or plywood box, the cavity of which is filled with ecowool, dry sawdust, expanded clay, and sand.

Required tools and materials

The main principle of operation of such a collector is the use of the greenhouse effect

glass (for example, 1700/750 mm);
glass frame;
hardboard for the bottom;
board with a section of 120/25 mm;
steel strip with a section of 20/2.5 mm, length 3 m;
corner pad;
wooden block with a cross section of 50/30 mm;
coupling;
radiator pipe;
radiator exhaust pipe;
clamps for fastening;
galvanized iron as a reflector;
heat insulator;
tank 200-300 liters.

Manufacturing: step by step steps

The design of the solar collector is simple

A box is made from boards, the bottom of which is reinforced with timber.
Thermal insulation (foam plastic, expanded polystyrene, mineral wool) is placed on the bottom, on top of which a sheet of iron or tin is placed.
The radiator is placed on top and secured with steel strip clamps.
All connections are sealed, joints and cracks are sealed.
Radiator pipes and metal sheets are painted black.
The box and water tank are painted silver. The water tank is placed in a heat-insulated box or barrel (thermal insulating material is poured between the tank and the walls of the box).
To create a constant low pressure, purchase an aqua chamber with a float valve, like in a toilet barrel. It can be purchased at a plumbing store.
In the attic of the house, under the roof, there is an aqua chamber and a water storage tank (tank). The aqua chamber is placed at least 0.8 m above the tank.
The collector is placed on the roof of the south side of the house at an angle of 45 0 to the horizon.
Next comes the connection of the entire system to each other with pipes: half-inch pipes are used to install the high-pressure part of the system from the aqua chamber to the water supply inlet. Low-pressure parts are installed with inch pipes. The minimum number of pipes is 12 pieces, but, depending on the distances between the parts of the collector, 18-15 pipes will be needed, but not less than 12.
To avoid air locks, the system is filled with water from the bottom of the radiator. As soon as the entire system is filled with water, water will flow from the drainage tube of the aqua chamber.
Open the valve in the pipe to fill the tank.
The water begins to heat up immediately. Warm water rises, displacing cold water, and it automatically enters the radiator.
As soon as some of the water has been used, the float valve in the aqua chamber will operate and cold water will again flow into the lower part of the system. There is no mixing of water.

At night, it is advisable to shut off the access of water to the tank to prevent heat loss.

Video: installation of an air solar collector for heating a house

Video: using solar energy to heat a swimming pool

Video: manufacturing and installation of a collector for heating a greenhouse

Video: A simple device for collecting solar energy from beer cans

Use solar energy to heat your home, greenhouse or swimming pool. The solar collector will help you save a lot of money and will last a very long time.