Solar Collectors made of polypropylene are ideal for a number of situations. At Hot Sun we don't manufacture these polypropylene panels ourselves but we have access to the finest products from most major manufacturers. We are considered an implementations expert so we call it Powerpro when we put the panels like these together with our own mounting systems and system design expertise. We cover the warranty because we are the ones responsible that the systems get implemented correctly. If there is a defect we'll address it with the manufacturer on your behalf.
Its the little things that matter. For example, when you put collectors like these on shingle roofs you have to realize they expand and contract 1/4" per collector over a typical temperature swing. That's 2" over 8 panels. The rubber couplings between panels dig into the roof and wear a hole right through it in no time. Why haven't more solar contractors figured out you need a wear plate?
Below left is a strap bracket and below right is a strap clamp at the end of each row of strap. The strap is plastic coated stainless steel. Same hardware used to hang the weight of the collectors at the couplings. We get all this stuff made ourselves.
There are several grades of collectors on the market. Unfortunately the industry has been polluted with some real cheap stuff lately. It may seem like a bargain but there is a reason major solar contractors will never offer you a 20 foot long collector like the solar in a box solutions you'll see at the pool store or on e-bay. Real solar panels used by real solar contractors selling real solar solutions come in 4x8, 4x10, and 4x12 sizes with some exceptions.
Within the category of good panels meant to last more than a season or two we do find some differences that do matter. First of all we believe strongly in the need for a profiled surface. If the surface of the collector is flat it can't absorb shock or thermal stresses associated with situations like part shade. The part in the shade will want to be a different size than the part in the sun and if its not profiled it can't absorb the stress naturally. Compare the $240 (delivered with hardware) collector on the left with the $329 collector on the right.
The one on the left is made of an extruded header pipe and an extruded absorber. The two parts are welded together sonically in a less than sophisticated manner. There is a weakness at the weld and we can't roll these panels for shipping in a UPS oversize box like we can with the product on the right. The one on the right not only has a nice profile to it but the header is molded and because its molded a lot of extra meat is added at the weld zone but to take it one step further, the manufacturer has eliminated the weld entirely. Its called "overmolding" The absorber extrusion is actually put right into the mold cavity as the header pipe is molded! There is no weld. There is a free open passage from absorber to header and no weak spot. Repairability comes from the fact there is so much meat at the header. See this repair movie we made to demonstrate worst case repair. We feel these are worth the extra money but truthfully, if you get it to the site and install it without incident and the straps don't let go, the product on the left will last a long time. It's in the category of the good products as opposed to the cheap stuff you need to watch out for. One other difference, elliptical flow cores. We prefer a round flow core out of principle more than anything. Ellipses want to become circles when stressed with pressure and try as we might to minimize it, solar heaters still have to handle stress from pressure.
Another option we have available is a 2x12 and 2x10 version of the good product made with 1.5" headers. We like this product a lot when we aren't looking for 2" header pipes on our collectors. A 2' collector is half the size "sail" so its better for wind resistance. The screws into the roof taking weight are taking half a collector width and its half the weight again due to less water in a 1.5" header.
We'll drop ship the above to you by UPS from Florida and ship the hardware and balance of system direct from San Diego.
We can install or help you install these systems on a tile roof with no roof penetrations! Powerstrip is usually our preferred choice on tile roofs (we're biased) but this goes together faster and easier and doesn't have to be permanently glued in place.
Grount mounted rack systems are very common. Often there is real estate available and there isn't roof space and its nice to not have to deal with the roof at all. We can help you with the rack design details, costing and supply. Powerpro is the most common collector choice for a rack mount.
On a ground level rack mount we do have to be especially concerned with pressure because we are exposing the collectors to the full system pressure. We aren't conveniently elevated up out of it on the roof. See Pools for a full discussion of this and why we usually want a separate pipe to the pool for solar.
12 year warranty.
Next check out the auto controls and plumbing section which details plumbing needed as well as auto controls options, then go to "sizing" and fill in the form you'll find there. You'll get a quick response. I work very hard at keeping up with inquiries.
You can e-mail any questions to kenw@simplyweb.net
For technical support after the sale and for ordering please call 858-627-9007.