Solar Water Heating Energy Freedom Now you can produce your own energy for as little as $3 per gigajoule for the next 20 years with no concern for rising energy costs Cost of Energy per Gigajoule ( based on Saskatchewan Prices) Energy Source
Natural Gas Electricity WSE47 Solar Energy WSE58 Solar Energy
2009 $15.44 $45.00 $2.00 - $3.30 $3.50 - $7.00
Projected 2029 $40.00 $100.00 $2.00 - $3.30 $3.50 - $7.00
Also note the cost of solar energy is FREE, natural gas and electrical costs do not include the costs of the equipment, which we are including in our solar costs. Check out the Home Renovation Tax Credit … at present there could be a 15% benefit to you
If you are interested the cold hard truth about solar water heating and LED lighting you must read our recent presentation at a solar conference in Saskatoon click here
Our WSE47 solar panels in Saskatchewan produce over 120 million btu's of heat over its life time, 6 million btu per year or 2,200 btu per hour, pretty amazing considering the cost under $400 The WSE57 pressurized heating panels puts out over 2600 btu per hour and is in the final testing for Canadian certification which qualifies for up to 50%for rebates. Complete system warranty 5 years The collector tubes come with a 15 year warranty. And WSE backs all this up with a one year money back guarantee
WSE Solar evacuated tube collectors offer reliable hot water heating for Canada. Our evacuated tubes have a number of advantages: the work on overcast days, in -60 degree weather, and the tubes can be installed and replaced individually without special tools. The evacuated tubes act like giant thermos, allowing 95% of the sun's radiation in, but only 3 to 5% out. We do not recommend our flat plate panels if you plan to heat during the winter months, basically they have no insulation factor, like trying to heat your house in the winter with single pane windows. Thermal conduction and convection losses are almost nothing (under 2%) because of the vacuum gap. This design allows the system to work in very low temperatures (down to about -70°F).
Use our calculator to find out the cost to heat your particular building Checkout our Application Page
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Stop in and see our WSE47 non pressurized and WSE 58 pressurized solar water pipes, WSE pressurized flat plates, solar circulation pumps, solar controllers and heat exchangers in action. Pick a sunny day for best solar results
Seeing is believing Not convinced that you can make heat using the sun? Stop by our office and pick up one of the solar evacuated tubes . For $10 including GST and PST you can take home one of the evacuated tubes to see for yourself how much heat it will make. Simply fill it with tap water and leave it in the sun and in a few hours it will boil! This is a pickup offer only. Please be careful, this is a glass tube full of boiling water. Put it in a secure place in the sun and keep children and pets away. Popular applications of our solar water heating panels include • • • • • • •
Solar Water Heating Systems for Garage or Shed Solar Domestic Water Heating Solar Heating whether radiator or floor heating Solar heating Commercial and Warehouse building Solar Heating swimming pools, jacuzzis or the like Pressurized Solar heating Solar Heating some crazy idea ( these are the most fun)
Ideal for in solar floor heating of sheds, garages, homes and warehouses
Testimonial on shed above I installed 7 - WSE47 panels on my 30 by 40 ft machine shed this fall. I have infloor heating with electric heat. During the month of December 08 we had lots of -30 deg C days. The system worked amazing heating the water tank over 30 deg. C. With about a 15 deg drop returning to the water tank after returning thru the floor. I estimate that this system will pay for itself in about two years and will save me about $60,000 in heating bills over the life of the system which should be about 20 years Don Elliott Farmer Sonningdale Sask.
Solar Domestic Water Heating System Price starting at under $1500 Designed in Canada for Canadians Click here for more information
WSE58 Pressurized Solar Water Heater Currently in final testing to qualify for Canadian rebates Click here for more information Download Brochure
Testimonial Happy New Year to you. Today in the Yukon it was -41c warming to -33c the sun was out nice. The solar system was heating the water at 35c. Nice and hot. I had a neighbour over looking at things and he was very impressed with it. Who would have known that one can get that kind of heat out of the sun on a cold Yukon day. As the day light gets a little longer it will only get better. I will start to show and tell a little more. I think every one will want one in their home in the north. Good deal. Have your self a good day. More comments February 12th 2009 Hope all is well on your end. We are seeing more sun these days. Today started at -33c warming to -25c I watched the heat in the system go up to 72c it was so hot one could not put your hand near any of the lines. Wow! It has been preheating the water tank good. Scott Jamieson
WSE47 Solar Water Heating Panel Click here for more information Download Brochure
Solar Swimming Pool Heaters
You invest $2000 in our solar water heaters and virtually eliminate your pool heating bills for life. Checkout our online calculator to see what your savings will be (You will be amazed) Click here for more information
WSE BC Flat Plate Pressurized Solar Heater Click here for more information
WSE Solar Controller Our Controllers is a must device for controlling and monitoring solar water heating systems Click here for more information download brochure
Solar Powered Circulation Pumps Ideal pump for circulating water in solar water heating system Run directly off of 25 watt solar panel Click here for more information
Download Brochure
Water Heating Circulating Pump •
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Low flow provides minimal flow velocities thereby reducing the effect of pipe erosion and noise caused by vibration. Rated for temperatures to 220 degree F and line pressures to 150 PSI Requires only 33 watts of power Dry run cutout provided on pumps for hot water recirculation Click here for more information
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Brazed Plate Heat exchangers Transfer up to 22,500 BTU/hr Click here for more information Download Brochure
WSE Solar Dissipator and Solar Heater can dissipate the excessive heat produced during summer periods, or periods of non-use. This protects systems from overheating and/or excessive hot water dumping. It also operates as a great heater for homes, garages, warehouses or where ever you need heat from the sun. Click here for more information Download Brochure
Each evacuated tube consists of two glass tubes made from extremely strong borosilicate glass. The outer tube is transparent allowing light rays to pass through with minimal reflection. The inner tube is coated with a special selective coating (Al-N/Al) which features excellent solar radiation absorption and minimal reflection properties. The top of the two tubes are fused together and the air contained in the space between the two layers of glass is pumped out while exposing the tube to high temperatures. This "evacuation" of the gasses forms a vacuum, which is an important factor in the performance of the evacuated tubes. Why a vacuum? As you would know if you have used a glass lined thermos flask, a vacuum is an excellent insulator. This is important because once the evacuated tube absorbs the radiation from the sun and converts it to heat, we don't want to lose it!! The vacuum helps to achieve this. The insulation properties are so good that while the inside of the tube may be 150oC / 304oF , the outer tube is cold to touch. This means that evacuated tube water heaters can perform well even in cold weather when flat plate collectors perform poorly due to heat loss (during high Delta-T conditions). In order to maintain the vacuum between the two glass layers, a barium getter is used (the same as in television tubes). During manufacture of the evacuated tube this getter is exposed to high temperatures which causes the bottom of the evacuated tube to be coated with a pure layer of barium. This barium layer actively absorbs any CO, CO2, N2, O2, H2O and H2 out-gassed from the evacuated tube during storage and operation, thus helping to maintaining the vacuum. The barium layer also provides a clear visual indicator of the vacuum status. The silver coloured barium layer will turn white if the vacuum is ever lost. This makes it easy to determine whether or not a tube is in good condition. Evacuated tubes are aligned in parallel, the angle of mounting depends upon the latitude of your location. In a North South orientation the tubes can passively track heat from the sun
all day. In an East West orientation they can track the sun all year round. Important Things You should know •
Each of our WSE47collectors has an output of approximately 2,200 btu per hour or about 586 watts. Meaning for under a $400 investment you will get 2,200 btu worth of energy every hour the sun shines free for life. Our WSE58 pressurized collectors put out over 2,600 btu per hour.
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Due to the cylindrical shape of the evacuated tube, the sun is perpendicular to the surface of the glass most of the day.This means that solar water heaters gives you output all day long. WSE47 BTU/hr Graph
This test was done in early March in Saskatoon , Sask. As you can see over 2,000 btu of energy output between 10AM and 5PM. The end of June in Saskatoon could see as much as 16 hours of sun resulting in over 32,000 btu of energy from one panel in a day. Now if that isn't impressive I don't know what is. link to solar water heating in Saskatchewan winters
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Because the tubes are insulated by vacuum the wind and cold Canadian temperatures have minimal effect on the efficiency of the evacuated collector. Great on those -60 degree below days.
link to heating your swimming pool and jacuzzi
Water Heater Payback The WSE47 panel cost under $400 and in full sun will produce 2200 BTU per hour. This is equivalent to 600 watts of heating power. In Saskatoon we receive 2328.45 hours of sun per year and we pay 10 cents per kilowatthour for power. If the WSE47 panel produces 600 watts for 2328.45 hours per year that is 1400 kilowatt-hours of power per year. At 10 cents per kilowatt-hour that is equivalent to $140 per year. This means the panel could pay for itself in less than 3 years. There are basically three types of thermal solar collectors: flat-plate, evacuated-tube and concentrating. Flat-Plate collectors comprise of an insulated, weatherproof box containing a dark absorber plate under one or more transparent or translucent covers. Water or heat conducting fluid passes through pipes located below the absorber plate. As the fluid flows through the pipes it is heated. This style of collector, although inferior in many ways to evacuated tube collectors, is still the most common type of collector in many countries. Evacuated Tube solar water heaters are made up of rows of parallel, glass tubes. There are several types of evacuated tubes (sometimes also referred to as Solar Tubes). Type 1 (Glass-Glass) tubes consists of two glass tubes which are fused together at one end. The inner tube is coated with a selective surface that absorbs solar energy well but inhibits radiative heat loss. The air is withdrawn ("evacuated") from the space between the two glass tubes to form a vacuum, which eliminates conductive and convective heat loss. These tubes perform very well in overcast conditions as well as low temperatures. Because the tube is 100% glass, the problem with loss of vacuum due to a broken seal is greatly minimized. Glass-glass solar tubes may be used in a number of different ways, including direct flow, heat pipe, or U pipe configuration. Apricus uses a high efficiency heat pipe and heat transfer fin design to conduct the heat from within the evacuated tube up to the header. For more information about heat pipes, click here. Type 2 (Glass-Metal) tubes consist of a single glass tube. Inside the tube is a flat or curved aluminium plate which is attached to a copper heat pipe or water flow pipe. The aluminium plate is generally coated with Tinox, or similar selective coating. These type of tubes are very efficient but can have problems relating to loss of vacuum. This is primarily due to the fact that their seal is glass to metal. The heat expansion rates of these two materials. Glassglass tubes although not quite as efficient glass-metal tubes are generally more reliable and
much cheaper. Type 3 (Glass-glass - water flow path) tubes incorporate a water flow path into the tube itself. The problem with these tubes is that if a tube is ever damaged water will pour from the collector onto the roof and the collector must be "shut-down" until the tube is replaced. Concentrating collectors for are usually parabolic troughs that use mirrored surfaces to concentrate the sun's energy on an absorber tube (called a receiver) containing a heattransfer fluid, or the water itself. This type of solar collector is generally only used for commercial power production applications, because very high temperatures can be achieved. It is however reliant on direct sunlight and therefore does not perform well in overcast conditions.
Types of Solar Water Heating Systems Solar water heating systems (SWHS) can be either active or passive. An active system uses an electric pump to circulate the fluid through the collector; a passive system has no pump and relies on thermo-siphoning to circulate water. The amount of hot water a solar water heater produces depends on the type and size of the system, the amount of sun available at the site, installation angle and orientation. SWHS are also characterized as open loop (also called "direct") or closed loop (also called "indirect"). An open-loop system circulates household (potable) water through the collector. A closed-loop system uses a heat-transfer fluid (water or diluted antifreeze) to collect heat and a heat exchanger to transfer the heat to the household water. A disadvantage of closed looped system is that efficiency is lost during the heat exchange process.
Active Systems Active systems use electric pumps, valves, and controllers to circulate water or other heattransfer fluids through the collectors. They are usually more expensive than passive systems but generally more efficient. Active systems are often easier to retrofit than passive systems because their storage tanks do not need to be installed above or close to the collectors. If installed using a PV panel to operate the pump, an active system can operate even during a power outage. Open-Loop Active Systems Open-loop active systems use pumps to circulate household potable water through the collectors. This design is efficient and lowers operating costs but is not appropriate if water is hard or acidic because scale and corrosion will gradually disable the system. Open-loop active systems are popular in regions that do not experience subzero temperatures. Flat plate open-loop systems should never be installed in climates that experience sustained periods of subzero temperatures. Solar water heater can be installed in an open loop in areas that experience sub-zero temperatures as long as the solar controller has a low temperature .
Closed-Loop Active Systems These systems pump heat-transfer fluids (usually a glycol-water antifreeze mixture) through the solar water heater. Heat exchangers transfer the heat from the fluid to the water that is stored in tanks. Double-walled heat exchangers or twin coil solar tanks prevent contamination of household water. Some standards require double walls when the heattransfer fluid is anything other than household water. Closed-loop glycol systems are popular in areas subject to extended subzero temperatures because they offer good freeze protection. However, glycol antifreeze systems are more expensive to purchase and install and the glycol must be checked each year and changed every few years, depending on glycol quality and system temperatures. Drainback systems use water as the heat-transfer fluid in the collector loop. A pump circulates the water through the solar water heater. When the pump is turned off, the solar water heater drains of water, which ensures freeze protection and also allows the system to turn off if the water in the storage tank becomes too hot. A problem with drainback systems is that the solar water heater installation and plumbing must be carefully positioned to allow complete drainage. The pump must also have sufficient head pressure to pump the water up to the collector each time the pump starts. Electricity usage is therefore slightly higher than a sealed closed or open loop.
Passive Systems Passive systems move household water or a heat-transfer fluid through the system without pumps. Passive systems have the advantage that electricity outage and electric pump breakdown are not issues. This makes passive systems generally more reliable, easier to maintain, and possibly longer lasting than active systems. Passive systems are often less expensive than active systems, but are also generally less efficient due to slower water flow rates through the system. Thermosiphon Systems
A thermosiphon system relies on warm water rising, a phenomenon known as natural convection, to circulate water through the solar absorber and to the tank. In this type of installation, the tank must be located above the absorber tubes/panel. As water in the absorber heats, it becomes lighter and naturally rises into the tank above. Meanwhile, cooler water in the tank flows downwards into the absorber, thus causing circulation throughout the system. This system is widely used with both flat plate and evacuated tube absorbers. The disadvantages of this design are the poor aesthetics of having a large tank on the roof and the isses with structural integrity of the roof. Often the roof must be reinforced to cope with the weight of the tank. Batch Heaters Batch heaters are simple passive system consisting of one or more storage tanks placed in an insulated box that has a glazed side facing the sun. Batch heaters are inexpensive and have
few components, but only perform well in summer when the weather is warm. Evacuated tube solar collectors are now an affordable and much more efficient alternative to either batch or flat plate collectors.
