Working Out How Many Solar Panels You Need to Heat Your Water

Many households have to pay huge amounts of money on the energy they use for heating water. A green and more affordable alternative is installing a solar water heating system that uses the free, clean energy of the sun to heat water for the entire house.
A solar water heating system is comprised of the following components:

• The collectors (the solar panels that collect solar energy)
• A hot water tank to store the heated water.

It is advisable to have a boiler or other kind of heater that can heat the water when the solar system is not able to (for example, at night or in the cold seasons).
Before calculating how many solar panels you need to heat the water your house uses, you have to make sure solar energy is the most suitable solution for you. In fact, the number of solar panels matter less than the insolation of your house (the amount of sunlight it receives). For a solar system to be effective, your house has to enjoy enough sunlight for the panels to create the necessary energy.
How to decide if a solar energy water heating system is for you
If you live in a sunny area, that enjoys a warm climate all year round, then you are the most suitable candidate for installing a solar water heating system. Make sure you have enough space to install the solar panels and the water tank. Also, you have to position the panels so that you maximize the amount of sunlight they receive.
One thing you should take into consideration is the fact that the solar heating system's efficiency will vary, depending on the weather and temperature conditions. The system will certainly do a better job in the summer than in winter. That is why it is intelligent to have a back up water heating method for unfriendly weather periods.
How many solar panels are necessary to heat the water for a household
Several factor need to be considered when calculating the number of solar panels and the size of the heating system:

• average hot water usage for household member
• the insolation in your area
• the weather and climate
• the size of the panels and of the water tank.

A person uses between 40 and 60 liters of hot water every day. Roughly, a 4 member family would need about 2 to 3 solar panels and a water tank of about 200 liters. The hot water can last for a few days, because of the thermal qualities of every water tank.
If you decide to install a solar water heating system, you should first calculate the average amount of hot water your family members use, and then decide the size of the water tank and of the corresponding solar panels.

For more information on how many solar panels, go to http://advantagesanddisadvantagessolarenergy.com
You'll discover...

• The facts about solar energy
• Exactly how solar energy works
• The price of installing solar energy
• Solar energy for home and business
• How to build a solar energy system
• How to make a solar oven

...and lots more! The information is ideal for students learning about solar energy and home owners who are looking into installing solar panels in their home.
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