Solar Hot Water Panel Recommendations?

[steveinpa]

I had purchased an indirect hot water heater to tie into our heating system and replace the electric a while ago when I had a 20% off coupon.  My plan was to install it at the end of heating season this year with the option to also tie solar into it.

Murphy had other plans.  My daughter called me at work last Friday to tell me the water heater had puked all over the basement and my wife was looking for how to turn it off.  I spent my weekend and the beginning of this week installing the indirect as an emergency repair.  We finally got hot water back last night.  As my daughter said, these are 1st world problems.

I love the indirect so far.  We haven't been able to make the water go cold.

Now, I'd still like to tie in solar this summer but I haven't researched panels enough as of yet.  Does anyone have solar hot water heat and can you recommend a manufacturer?

[solargeek]

We have evacuated tubes that heat our hot water. Is that what you mean? Then we have an electric hot water heater in our basement to which it is hooked up. I can get the names for you tomorrow when we get home from our trip.

[steveinpa]

Jun 11, 2020 3:21:15 GMT solargeek said:

We have evacuated tubes that heat our hot water. Is that what you mean? Then we have an electric hot water heater in our basement to which it is hooked up. I can get the names for you tomorrow when we get home from our trip.

Thanks. Yes, not sure if flat panel or evacuated tube fits my situation better yet. Just starting to do the legwork.

[solargeek]

We had flat panels at our last place. We have found that evacuated tubes are working more efficiently. Last place needed heated floors and used an on demand Monitron water heater for the floors; regular electric hot water heater for domestic hot water.

But here with our passive solar design, even with below zero temps OFTEN in winter, our Lopi Liberty wood stove can carry any slack on cold days so vetoed heated floors. We use the tubes to heat all domestic hot water in 3 bath house.