Evacuated Tube Collectors Or Solar Thermal Flat Plate? Which Is Better

EVACUATED TUBE COLLECTORS
OR SOLAR THERMAL FLAT PLATE?
WHICH IS BETTER
Latitude51 Solar

Evacuated tube collectors
Evacuated tube collectors or solar thermal flat plate? This is a very common
question in the solar thermal industry. Eccentrically enough, several people
weigh-in, and take different sides. As a Red Sox vs Yankees kind of rivalry,
it is an intense debate. In the end, it relies on the job you are working on –
the roof, the climate, your budget, and the kind of systems you are using all
need to be considered to make the solar evacuated tubes vs. flat plate
decision.

Cost:
Flat plate collectors are likely to be cheaper in comparison to
evacuated tubes because they’re a simpler design & easier to make.
On the contrary, solar evacuated tubes are likely to be 10 to 15
percent more expensive than their flat plate counterparts, but their
processing charges are dropping.

INSTALLATION:
Because of their heavy nature, flat plate collectors consume more
space and can be hectic to install on particular roofs. On the
contrary, evacuated tubes are likely to have lighter components
and are easier to install on the roof.

RELIABILITY:
Evacuated tubes are more frequently used in colder climates as
they’re more effective than flat plate collectors in extremely cold
temperatures. However, in very warm climates, solar evacuated
tubes are likely to overheat, so you need to be cautious if you are in
a hot region.

WATER USE:
Evacuated tubes are capable of heating large volumes of water pretty
fast and can get the water above 180 degrees. So, if you have a
sizeable load, such as in commercial or space heating situations, you
should go with evacuated tubes. Flat plate collectors work best with
domestic water. Their temperature range fits well within code for hot
water use. Also, they can be employed for space heating in low-heat
hydronic applications, but you have to size accordingly.

SNOW:
Usually, evacuated tubes shed snow very awfully. This is because the
tubes produce a strong vacuum. On the other hand, a flat plate can shed
snow easily with just a little sunlight.

STRUCTURAL WIND LOADING:
If you are working on a job where the rafters are dubious, and you
are in a region with substantial wind loading, solar evacuated
tubes are likely to provide the advantage. They’re lighter in general
and they also have less wind resistance…which means the wind can
easily pass through the collectors.

CONCLUSION
So the conclusion for solar evacuated tubes vs. flat plate decision is it
depends. They both have their advantages and disadvantages. As
mentioned above, it relies on the job you are working on and the area
where you are living.