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Water solar collector with their own hands. How to make a solar collector with your own hands

Use the sun for own needs people have learned a very long time. Today it has acquired a more civilized appearance, because it has appeared, with the help of which solar energy is converted into thermal energy. This device is not very complicated, so many who can afford to create a self-made solar collector. But this requires certain knowledge about this device.

Types of collectors

In order to make a solar collector with your own hands, you need to know what kind of species they are and how they operate.

. This type of device more than others reduces heat loss. This is possible due to the vacuum, which is located between the heating body and the shell of the unit. The system consists of glass tubes, the air of which is deflated. The heating itself falls on the black tube, which is located inside. Thanks to this design, water can be heated up to 300 degrees. Even in winter, the efficiency of this equipment is consistently high. However, he can not clean himself of snow and frost.
Flat solar collector. Its difference from the previous model is that the heat loss rate is higher. But the manufacture of such units is not difficult, and they themselves can be cleared from small snow drifts. This device looks like an external transparent panel. Inside it there are tubes. The rear wall is equipped with a heat insulator. The limit of heating the water is 200 degrees. However, with a strong wind, a strong load is applied to the mount, and the shape of such a device is poorly streamlined.
Air solar collector. This is a kind of flat installation, but the coolant in it is air. It is not difficult to make by yourself. Such an aggregate has low efficiency, and it can not be used to heat water.
Tubular manifold. These are four black tubes that are filled with a coolant. Circulation occurs due to the difference in temperature between the collector and the lower zone of the reservoir. Such a system is different from a flat larger surface area that absorbs light.
Movable systems. They include installations that rotate behind the movement of the sun. There are designs that fully unfold and designs, in which the mirror and heating element move.

The process of solar collectors is as follows: the solar radiation heats the tube with the heat carrier, after which the heat is transported to the heat accumulator. The very principle consists in a large percentage of heat, which is absorbed from solar radiation. There are many options for how to create such a device with your own hands. Let's consider some of them. If you have any questions, on the Internet you can find a video on this topic, and not one.

Option 1 - the simplest

It will take galvanized containers for water, the volume of which is 100 or 200 liters. It is located on the roof. 100 liters of water can be heated up to 60 degrees if the barrel is placed on the south side of the roof, which is covered with a shiny metal sheet. The efficiency in this case is quite large, since the area of heat exchange with air is minimal.

Use such an uncomplicated solar collector better in areas where the ecology is maintained at the proper level, away from highly polluted areas. In addition, in winter this unit will bring little benefit, because because of the wind, much heat is lost.

Option 2 - more complex

The manufacture of such a device with their own hands is easy, from cheap materials, so rusty water remains for a long time. To some extent, it is a flat solar collector, which allows heating water in a simple way.

To create it you need:

2 flat radiators made of steel;
steel boxes;
glass;
roof of the house;
metal-plastic pipes and fittings.

Radiators are placed in steel boxes on the roof. They need to be covered with glass. Their purpose is to reduce the time of heating the water. When installing them, you need to remember that the top should be below the storage tank. Thus, the heated water will naturally rise to the tank. In order for the circulation to be carried out in the usual way, the water conductor pipes must be laid downward, that is, towards the radiators. A plastic barrel with a volume of 160 liters should be put in the attic of the house. Connect it with radiators and water pipe will help metal pipes and fittings.

The hottest water should be at the top of the tank. To do this, the handset with warm water is connected to the tank slightly above its middle. At the bottom of the radiator, it is better to make drainage taps to drain the water in the cold period.

Option 3 - difficult but effective

Consider how you can create an air solar collector by yourself. To do this, you will need:

wooden frame with plywood bottom;
insulating material with thermal insulation properties;
black metal mesh;
two fans;
deflector;
transparent polycarbonate sheet.

In the bottom of the frame, you need to drill two round holes in order to take the air intake. At the top you need to make two holes of a rectangular shape in order to remove hot air from the collector. The insulating material is laid on the bottom. Accumulate the heat will be a black metal mesh. Two fans are built into the round holes. The support strips of the deflector must be mounted in the structure, then attach the deflector to them. It is needed for the formation of air flow. Finally, the entire device needs to attach a sheet of polycarbonate, after which it can be connected to the wall of the building.

The efficiency of this collector is about 50 percent. It is used to heat the room.

Option 4 - the most complex

Create an own intricate vacuum solar collector can, but it is not easy. Its manufacture requires great effort and great care, so it is necessary to make a tube and solder the absorber. Here are some tips to help ease the situation.

You need to determine the installation location.
The installation should be oriented to the south. The deviation is about 25 degrees in two directions.
Remove all shading factors.
As a result of the installation, the heating medium must move from the bottom up.
The equipment must not overheat before installation or after.
One row provides no more than three collectors. If you need more numbers, you need to build in the compensator and take care of the thermal linear expansion.

Such an installation is not enough for anyone, since it requires not only the knowledge of a locksmith, but also practical skills. If, in spite of everything, it is decided to do everything on their own, then it is worth to be reserved with great patience. In any case, a homemade solar collector will delight its owner with each glance at it.

So, the sun can be used not only to sunbathe. A great opportunity to direct its energy in the right direction - a solar collector, which will give even greater pleasure if you invest in its production of its forces.

solar collector It is used to absorb the energy of solar radiation, so that in the future it is concentrated, transformed and used by man.

The generated energy is used for:

Provision of water heating and start-up of heating systems for living quarters.
Providing in pools of various types of constantly warm water.
Heating of greenhouses.
For heating process water used in industry.

Principle of operation and scope

Operating principle

The construction and materials used for its creation are aimed at the maximum possible consumption of solar energy. After that it is converted to thermal, and transferred for further use. In this system there can be both air and a special liquid with non-freezing properties.

Its circulation can be natural and forced.

Collectors are used in different countries with any climate.

Their field of application is quite large:

For cottages, cottages and private houses.
Various production complexes, regardless of the type of activity and scale.
At car washes, stations of gas stations.
In children's and medical institutions.
On the objects of railway transport.
In the hotel, shopping and entertainment complexes.
In catering establishments and offices.

Advantages and disadvantages

Collectors have a lot of advantages, they include:

Reducing the cost of maintenance of the heating system at home, and providing it with hot water supply.
Possibility of heating the house and hot water in case of interruptions and temporary absence of power supply and gas supply.
Reducing the load on the heating system, resulting in an increase in its service life.
Savings of natural resources and preservation of ecology.
Ecological compatibility of the system does not have a negative impact on a person.

The minus can be called quite high cost and difficult installation of this equipment.

Kinds

There are two types of these devices. Each of them has certain characteristics and principles of action.

Flat Collector

Similar collectors are made in the form of a panel, up to 2.5 meters in size,in the center of which an absorbing plate is placed. It is made of heat-conducting metals, copper or aluminum are the most used for this. It is coated, which is characterized by the presence of a low emissivity.

This is required for the greatest conversion of solar rays in the form of thermal energy, while in the environment its output should be minimal. This absorbent layer is connected to the tubes. It is through them that most of the propylene glycol circulates, which acts as a coolant.

Also, or water. Under the tubes is a heat-insulating layer. Above the absorber is a special protective glass helix. It is characterized by a minimum iron content for the greatest throughput, and the body is reinforced with sheet steel with thermal insulation or aluminum.

This type is used for mounting on pitched or flat roofs. But it can be mounted in any place and position. This species is most common and has been widely used for heating systems and for heating water.

Tubular (evacuated)

It consists of individual tubes. The number of them can be from 5 to 30 pieces. Each of the tubes according to the principle of action is a mini-collector. All of them are united in one panel.

Inside the tube there is another same smaller piece. A vacuum has been created between them. The upper part consists of helio-glass and performs the function of protection. It has a built in absorber plate, consisting of copper or aluminum. The smaller tube is under the plate, in it the coolant circulates. The vacuum in this case plays the role of a heat insulator.

Such a solar collector acts much more efficiently than a flat one, in conditions of low atmospheric temperatures. But their cost is much higher.

The tubular collector, in turn, is of two kinds, different in construction. There are types with a heat pipe and a straight-through type. Advantage of the first type can be called maintaining effective performance at temperatures down to -30 degrees Celsius, and in some cases even up to -40.

Distinctive features of the flow-through manifold is the possibility of its installation in any position, as well as minimum heat loss during operation.

How to make your own hands?

Collector arrangement

This device can be manufactured with your own hands to save energy. There are a lot of options in this case. For example, it can be made from a window frame, an old electric boiler, a refrigerator, and even plastic bottles.

Consider one of the simplest collectors made using the parts of an old refrigerator. To carry out such a collector will be the heating of water for technical needs.

Necessary materials and tools

Materials:

Condenser, removed from the old refrigerator.
Wooden beams, 5/5 cm.
Rubber mat.
Glass (suitable from the window frame).
Sheet of foil.
Screws, nails.
Scotch.

Instruments:

A hammer.
Screwdriver.

Before carrying out work, the coil from the refrigerator must be rinsed using a detergent and running water. This is necessary for its purification from freon oil.

To increase efficiency self-made collector, you can use a car radiator, replacing them with a capacitor.

Tests have shown that this unit is able to heat about 20 liters of water by 20 degrees in two hours of operation. The ambient temperature during the experiment was +25 degrees Celsius.

Of course, such a device has a low efficiency and the probability of failure due to the airing of the heat exchanger, but nevertheless, it brings certain benefits.

Since solar collectors have an efficiency that depends on the reflectivity and absorbing features of the material, special coatings have been invented to enhance these features.

Each of them approaches a certain material, on which they will be applied. There are coatings for copper, aluminum, etc. They are applied in a rather complicated way, therefore they do not have wide access.

When selecting a collector, one must take into account, that its vacuum models are more fragile than flat ones, but with damages it is much easier to repair the first option. To do this, it will only be necessary to replace the failed tubes when, as in a flat one, the entire absorbent system has to be replaced;
Capacities, produced with the help of a single collector, is enough for heating several living rooms and heating water.
The service life of the reservoir is up to 30 years. But when buying this device you need to consider that the vacuum type is less durable, compared to others.
You can install this equipment yourselfusing the instruction that came with the device. This process is quite laborious and difficult, but it allows you to save on the costs necessary to attract specialists.

With the problems of heating living quarters and obtaining hot water, almost every owner of a private house has to face. To date, there are many different systems that can successfully solve the problems mentioned. Particular attention deserves alternative sources heating, in particular a collector, which uses solar energy as fuel. Such an aggregate is extremely simple to assemble and advantageous in operation.

The average efficiency of self-made solar collectors reaches 50-60%, which is quite a good indicator.

Professional aggregates have an efficiency of about 80-85%, but you need to take into account the fact that they are quite expensive, and you can afford to purchase materials for the homemade collector assembly practically everyone.

The capacity of an ordinary solar collector will be enough to heat the water and heat the living rooms.

In this respect, everything depends on the features of the design, which are determined and calculated individually.

Assembling the unit does not require the availability of difficult to handle and hard to access tools and expensive materials.

Tools for self-assembly of solar collector

Punch.
Electric drill.
A hammer.
Hacksaw.

There are several varieties of this construction. They differ from each other in efficiency and total cost. Under all circumstances, the self-made unit will cost an order of magnitude cheaper than the factory model with similar characteristics.

One of the most optimal options is a vacuum solar collector. This is the most affordable and simple version.

The units under consideration have a fairly simple design. In general, the system includes a pair of collectors, an air chamber and storage capacity.The work of the solar collector is carried out on a simple principle: in the process of passing through the sun through the glass, their transformation into heat. The system is organized in such a way that these beams can not leave the confined space.

The installation operates on a thermosyphon principle. In the process of heating, a warm liquid rushes upward, displacing cold water from there and directing it to a source of heat. This allows you to refuse even the use of the pump, because the liquid will circulate by itself.The installation accumulates the energy of the sun and retains it for a long time within the system.

Components for the assembly of the installation in question are sold in specialized stores. At its core, such a collector is a tubular radiator installed in a special box of wood, one of the facets of which is made of glass.

For the manufacture of the said radiator, pipes are used. The optimum material for the manufacture of pipes is steel. Lining and removal are made of pipes, traditionally used for the installation of water. Usually used tubes of ¾ inch, also well suited products for 1 inch.

The grid is made of smaller pipes with thinner walls. The recommended diameter is 16 mm, the optimum wall thickness is 1.5 mm. Each radiator grille should include in its composition 5 pipes each 160 cm long.

Important nuances of assembling the collector by one's own hands

The first stage is the assembly of the box. For the assembly of the box mentioned earlier, wooden boards of about 12 cm wide and 3-3.5 cm thick are used. The bottom is made of hardboard or plywood sheet. The bottom is necessarily strengthened by means of racks in the size 5х3 cm. The length of the racks should be selected according to the dimensions of the bottom.

The second stage is the insulation of the box. The box needs high-quality insulation. The best and most convenient option is foam plates. Also good for mineral wool. The heater is placed on the bottom of the box.

The third stage is the arrangement of the box for the radiator. The laid insulation must be covered with a layer of galvanized sheet metal. Clamps for connecting the radiator and the laid sheet of metal are used. Pre-coat the radiator tube and metal flooring with a black matte paint.

Outside, the box is painted in white, and the glass is sealed with specially formulated compositions for such tasks. This will minimize heat loss. The pipes are connected in standard order with the help of tees, couplings, and also corners. The pipes used for the assembly of the collector are connected manually without much effort.

The fourth stage is the preparation of the storage tank. The heat accumulation in the system under consideration corresponds to a tank whose capacity can be in the range of 200-400 liters. Specify the volume to suit your personal need for water. The tank can be made from a barrel. If you can not find a suitable barrel, use the pipes.

The tank needs to be insulated. It is best to install it in a box of plywood sheets or wooden boards, and the space between the walls of the box and the container is filled with sawdust, foam or other heat-insulating material.

The fifth stage is the preparation of the vestibule. The structure of the system under consideration includes an aggregate called an outhouse. The main function of this device is to pressurize the constant overpressure required for the full operation of the solar collector system. The air chamber is made of a suitable container for 35-45 liters. Perfectly fit a can. In addition, the unit is equipped with a feeding device for automation of operation.

Step-by-Step Guide to Assembly of the Unit

Circulation scheme of coolant

The first stage is the installation of an accumulator and avakamery. These units are located in the attic of the house. Make sure that the ceiling in the installation site can withstand the weight of the containers with water. Install the pre-camera next to the drive. Do this so that the liquid level in the forecabin is higher than the water level in the storage tank by about 100 cm.

The second stage - the choice of a place for installation solar heater. The unit is fixed on the south wall of the building. It is important to sustain regular grade heater to the horizon. The optimal value is 45 degrees. The collector must be attached to the house so that the solar panels look like a continuation of the roof.

The third stage is the combination of individual elements. To complete this task, you need to buy inch and half inch steel pipes. Half-inch you will use to connect the high-pressure elements of the system - from the place of water injection to the vestibule. Inch tubes are used in the low-pressure part.

It is important that the connections are airtight, the air jams are inadmissible in this case.

Preliminary, the pipes must be painted white or other light color. A layer of heat-insulating material is fixed over the paint. In this case, foam rubber is optimal. A layer of polyethylene, and then a woven tape, is wound on top of the heater. At the end, the pipes are again painted white.

The fourth stage is filling the system with liquid. Water should be fed through special drainage valves installed at the bottom of the radiators. This will avoid the formation of air congestion. When the water begins to drain from the drain, the operation can be considered complete.

The fifth stage is the connection of the vestibule. This unit must be connected to water supply. After connecting, open the flow valve. You will see that the amount of water in the pre-chamber will begin to decrease.

The advantage of such a solar collector, assembled by our own hands, is that it will be able to heat water even in cloudy weather.

At night, the air temperature becomes lower than the temperature of the heated water. In such conditions, the collector will begin to heat the environment and, in general, work in the opposite mode. To avoid this, the system is equipped with a valve, which allows to prevent the possibility of reverse circulation. It will be enough to just close this valve in the evening, and the energy will remain in the system.

If the thermal conductivity of the collector is not high enough, it can be increased by adding sections. The design will allow you to do this without any difficulties.

Thus, there is nothing complicated in the self-assembly of a solar heater. This kind of work does not require a lot of money, but it is highly recommended to buy only high-quality materials from well-known manufacturers. Approach to work with maximum responsibility, do not violate these recommendations, and you will receive an excellent source of heat and hot water, working for free energy. Successful work!

Video - Solar collector by one's own hands

Every year, the problem of ensuring a country house or giving hot water. Especially often, the owners of cottages, in which they live permanently, reflect on this problem. After all, the costs of heating and hot water supply occupy a significant share in the financing of life support for housing. And the search for opportunities to reduce the cost of maintaining a house is a normal and natural desire of any person. Of course, the most realistic option is to reduce costs in terms of heating the house, to study and start making own devices from the field of alternative energy.

The fact that the selective device of renewable energy, used for heating the house, has many undeniable advantages known for a long time, and almost every adult knows about it. However, in practice, not each of these adults who want to become more autonomous in matters of water heating, decides to put a decent amount of money to buy a selective device for heating the house of factory production. Of course, from any situation you can find a way out, but from this the more. A solar collector for heating a house can be made by hand. You can easily assemble a flat, air solar collector without problems. Such self-made devices for heating water with the help of solar energy can be made from beer cans and plastic bottles, connecting them with a hose, supplying vacuum tubes. As a result, you will receive a solar energy absorber for heating the house by heating the water, the production of which does not require you to invest virtually any money (especially when choosing a variant of tin cans).

What materials will you need to make a self-made absorber

It seems to the common man in the street that it is an incredibly difficult task to make an absorber on solar energy independently for heating your house, having made the own production of every detail that makes up the device. However, in order to make such an absorber, which will act as a device for heating water in a house heating system, there is no need to purchase or search for any exotic materials. You do not have to travel a lot of shops in search of the right hose, looking for vacuum tubes. Do not worry - it's all speculation lazy people and people who are afraid to get down to business. The main thing is to take a balanced approach to solving the problem, correctly plan everything, draw a diagram and select the necessary materials.

Homemade flat air absorber with a selective coating can be made from conventional materials and HDPE components. Vacuum pipes made of polycarbonate and other parts can be purchased at small prices in any hardware store or supermarket. The layout for the assembly is quite simple, for training purposes you can view the video on the worldwide network (there are more than enough of such videos). In fact, in the global network, you can find a lot of specialized literature on this issue. If you decide to do your work at a qualitatively high level, reading a certain amount of literature will not be superfluous.

The main difficulty in the assembly process is how to make a serpentine (this is a tube in a sinuous shape, over which the liquid circulates, accumulating energy). Here there are several options on the basis of which the assembly scheme will be drawn up. The simplest option is to assemble the absorber on the basis of the finished coil (you can try to find something that is suitable for these purposes, it is important that it is vacuum). Alternatively, the circulation system located on the back of the refrigerator can be approached. The second option is to pick up the necessary vacuum tubes, two or three hoses, a pair of plastic bottles of water (the coolant is collected from them). For more confidence, review the training video again. Pipes for heating water are better to use copper. Next you will need to solder directly the coil.

The second very important element that enters the absorber is the upper side of the transparent polycarbonate. In industrial production, the polycarbonate coating is not used, the face coating is cast from a hardened glass alloy. However, in our case, a self-made air collector is considered, the thermal scheme and the required efficiency of which allows the use of polycarbonate, since we will assemble the device from improvised inexpensive materials. It should be noted that there are assembly schemes where materials are used from beer cans to the use of plastic bottles.

Preparing to assemble the absorber

So, in assembling your device, you better use the cellular transparent polycarbonate. The use of this type of polycarbonate will achieve maximum efficiency of heating from the device being created. To make a choice in favor of this polycarbonate is also because it is very durable. This is important, considering possible weather disasters, such as a large hail, a hurricane air stream that tears off branches from trees - these accidents must be taken into account, since they can damage a weak coating. The honeycomb structure of the coating will help you to make the air effect of the hotbed, as a result of creating a strengthened moment of heating the water in the tubes. Simply put, using this material and in addition to it a selective coating, you will significantly improve the efficiency of the product.

For the absorbent panel you will need a sheet of metal with a thickness of about 0.8 millimeters (however, copper material is better suited). In principle, and come off a steel sheet. On the external surface it will be necessary to apply the so-called selective coating (to paint with a matte black paint, the paint should be resistant to high temperatures). If you do not follow these recommendations (the black cover is also meant), the device will not function in the correct mode.

In addition to the listed components, get the mineral wool necessary for thermal insulation, it will create a peculiar air trap, minimizing heat exchange with the surrounding space, transferring all heat to the coil, and then through the hose, into the house heating system.

The body of the device you can also build yourself, for this you need to use aluminum materials or use a less durable, but easier to process wood material. Working with wood, you will spend significantly less time creating a heater, and with plywood work even easier. But all the same it is better to use a frame from aluminum, its durability, in comparison with a tree, does not go to any comparison.

Determine the size of the reservoir

Now let's summarize, we list all the materials necessary for assembling an effective self-made collector:

Pipes made of copper with dimensions of 18 millimeters - from them you will form a coil (the same tubes are used for the assembly of heating systems);
black matte paint, resistant to high temperatures (with its help you will apply a selective coating);
mineral wool (thermal insulation);
a sheet of metal (copper, iron, steel), a sheet thickness of 0.8 millimeters in thickness;
angular transitions 18 x 18 millimeters;
plumbing transitions 18 mm x ¾ (needed to connect to the water supply system);
cellular polycarbonate (a face covering of a collector);
a sheet of aluminum and aluminum corners to create the body of the product, in the absence of those - wooden slats and a sheet of plywood for the back wall of the heater;
all the tools necessary for soldering.

It is important to determine in advance the dimensions of your collector based on its dimensions, calculate the required number of tubes, transitions and other materials in advance (in other words, the overall productivity of the device being mounted). Calculate the amount of water that will be required to provide heat exchange throughout the system. To do this, decide in advance what the collector will be used for - either it is only washing dishes, or for a shower, or to cover all the domestic hot water supply needs in your home. To warm up the water for washing dishes or taking a shower it will be enough to collect a collector measuring 200 x 100 centimeters, the distance between the tubes in the coil should be from 8 to 10 centimeters.

The process of assembling a self-made solar collector

The beginning of the assembly of this solar energy product starts with the manufacture of a coil. If you manage to find a ready-made coil, the final assembly will take much less time. The selected coil should be washed very carefully under a stream of water (preferably hot) to wash all the blockages from inside and get rid of the residual freon. If you do not have suitable tubes, then the right amount you can buy in the store. But in this case it is necessary to make the coil itself. To cut it, cut the tubes to the required length. Further, using angular transitions, draw their spike in the form of a coil construction. Further, so that the collector can be connected to the water supply system, on the edges of the coil should weld sanitary crossings of ¾. There are several variants of the shape and design of the coil, for example, it is possible to solder tubes in the form of "ladder" (if you are going to implement this option, then do not buy corner crossings, you will need tees).

Then, on a pre-prepared sheet of metal, you apply a selective coating with a black matte paint, preferably at least a couple of layers. Wait for the airflow to dry the paint, and begin soldering the coil (from the unpainted side). The entire construction of the coil should be soldered along the entire length of the tubes, making this, you guarantee the most efficient heat exchange and as a result - maximum heat transfer to the water supply system. If you do it right, the solar collector you collect will work as intended.

Responsible stage of assembly

The final stage you need to assemble the enclosure, which will secure all components of the device in a single design. Using a sheet of plywood and wooden bars, you need to knock down a sturdy box. In the used wooden blocks in advance, cut the grooves, in which you then insert a screen of polycarbonate (the depth of the groove is about 0.5 cm). Outlet holes for the tubes can be done already after you have installed all the main components. Next, in the already assembled wooden box to create an air pocket, you stack the insulation from the mineral wool. On top of the mineral wool, fasten the panel with the coil. The edges of cotton wool so that the coil does not touch the walls of the box. The heating panel and the polycarbonate panel must also have a distance between them and do not touch each other.

The final stage consists in processing the body with a special solution with a water repellent ability and is covered with enamel (except for the front part).

That's all, the solar collector with their own hands is ready. In order to activate it, put it on the supporting structure, unfolding the front part to the sun in such a way that the rays fall on the front part at the maximum right angle. On the roof you install a tank to store water, it will serve as a reservoir. To the top of the tank, draw the hose connected to the upper manifold tube to the bottom of the lower tube. By connecting water in this way, you will ensure operation in the mode natural circulation. According to the laws of physics, hot water will rise up in the direction of the tank, and the displaced cold will enter the collector for heating in the coil. Do not forget that it is necessary to attach a hose and a valve to the tank to draw water from the tank, as well as to fill it with a new one.

Outcomes

In conclusion, I would like to note that the possible construction of the reservoir is unlimited with the use of a copper coil. There are many different ways, for example, it is possible to assemble a fully efficient, working collector, using beer cans and other tin bottles as absorbing elements. There are many options. To do this, it is only worth exploring the question, to collect required amount beer cans or tin bottles. Next, collect them in a single design. The main thing is that even if you decide to assemble a collector from beer cans or bottles, remember that all solar collectors work on the same principle. Qualitatively spend a spike of joints of connection of branch pipes and jars, create in a design the proper conditions of vacuum and all at you to turn out. Feel free to do it. As a result, you will not only get absolutely free and autonomous source hot water. You will also get a huge psychological satisfaction from the realization that you have made a hand in increasing the share of renewable energy use in the modern world of globalization. By creating a device that operates on solar radiation, you will become more independent from central systems supply both electricity and gas. You will provide yourself with hot water in economic needs. Good luck.

The use of solar energy has long been no innovation. It can be used for local heating of water, for example, in the country. This heating can also be used for heating, but the cost of additional equipment will be quite high. To build a solar collector with your own hands is not fantastic!

To use the energy of the sun, special collectors are used. For multiple applications, there are several device options. There are such types of elements:

flat;
tubular.

Flat Collector

They can be called solar panel. A flat solar collector with its own hands is beneficial and easy to create. At the center of this device is the absorber panel. The panel is made of metals that conduct heat well, most often copper or aluminum. In order for the collector to perform its function well, that is, it absorbs solar energy as much as possible and transforms it into thermal energy with minimal losses, a special composition must be applied to its surface. Its surface protects the glass with a minimum content of iron in its composition. This glass has good throughput, minimal reflection of light and is a good protection against environmental influences. On the perimeter, the absorber has a housing for protection against mechanical influences, it is usually made of steel or aluminum. The body and the lower part of the collector have a thermal insulation. A flat element is capable of transferring heat to the heat carrier that is located in it. It can be simple water or antifreeze.

You can arrange the flat collector in any position. Usually it is fixed on the roof, but in another place it will work no worse. You can build such a solar collector with your own hands without large investments.

If we talk about the factory elements, then the flat ones can be standard sizes, with an area of up to 2.5 m 2.

If you need more power, you can install several standard panels together. They will constitute a single system of solar heat.

Flat collectors have an advantage - they are cheaper than vacuum analogs. But at low ambient temperatures, such collectors lose a lot of energy and the efficiency level decreases. Therefore, for application in the summer period, it will be sufficient to have a flat collector, but in winter it will yield to the vacuum collector almost twice.

Vacuum

Such a collector consists of tubes, inside of them there is a vacuum. The arrangement of each tube resembles a thermos device, which is based on a copper rod, the shell of such a thermos is a flask made of milky glass, just between them is a vacuum. The inner shell of the tube is covered with a special black paint, and the outer glass is transparent. Pipes are combined with a connecting module.

The price category of this type of collectors is higher than the analogues of flat models, but the advantage is determined by their use in winter season. With their hands for the home, solar collectors can be made from improvised materials. They can be from other devices, for example, from the refrigerator. In the repair of vacuum-type devices, difficulties should not arise. If one of the tubes fails, the collector will continue to work. But the heat output will be less.

Types

Vacuum elements can be divided into:

cross-flow;
with a heat pipe.

The vacuum solar collector is harder to mount than flat. It will be a little more expensive, but we must evaluate the advantages of vacuum before installing it.

The solar collector with its own hands to build is not so difficult. But it is worth remembering that it will not be as effective as a similar one produced in industrial conditions. It is necessary to make an appropriate calculation of the benefits and effectiveness of this device.

How to make a solar collector yourself?

In order to proceed with the installation of such a solar heat storage device, one must perform the following actions independently:

prepare the foundation of the future reservoir;
prepare a radiator for installation;
prepare a heat accumulator;
make installation directly collector.

The basis of the device can serve as an edging board with dimensions from 25-100 mm to 35-135 mm. Of these, you should make a box of a suitable size, insulate its bottom and put a heater (normal glass wool will do), cover it with galvanized sheet.

The heat exchanger is made as follows:

You should buy metal tubes: thin-walled and thick-walled.
In thick-walled tubes, it is necessary to make holes for the diameter of thin tubes in steps of no more than 45 mm. They drill on one side. Of course, the solar collector, made by hand, will require time to prepare not only the necessary material, but also an instrument.
At this stage, it is necessary to firmly secure the tubes in the holes and fix them by welding.
The constructed structure is fixed on the galvanized sheet, which is located on the box.
The next stage will be painting the collector box in black. It is desirable only to paint the bottom dark, and the remaining parts to leave light, as it is the bottom will absorb the sun's rays.
Then the glass cover is installed, keeping the distance between it and the tubes at least 1 cm.
A reservoir for a collector can be any sealed container. Its volume can reach 400 liters (minimum 150 liters).
The next stage is the manufacture of the vestibule. This can be a capacity of up to 40 liters, it installs a faucet, it is this device that will supply water.
To avoid heat loss, it is necessary to thoroughly isolate the tank and the collector itself.

Assembling the device

Now we need to finally assemble it into a single whole. The assembly is carried out in several stages:

Installation of the drive and the vestibule. An important condition is that the liquid in the accumulator must necessarily be below the level in the pre-chamber by 80 mm.
Place the collector in a prepared place. You can do it on the roof. It is necessary to observe the angle of inclination of 35-40 degrees, setting the element at the same time on the south side.
To minimize heat loss, a distance of at least 50 cm between the heat exchanger and the storage tank should be observed.
The accumulator should be located above the collector and below the vents.

The most important stage remains - connection to the system.

To do this, you need to fill the system with water, adjust its amount, make sure there are no leaks. If all the conditions are met, such a collector can be used daily.

Such a made solar collector for heating with their own hands will save a lot of money. Water heating systems, based on the solar collector, can be divided according to the type of water circulation.

Natural water circulation

With such a circulation system, the storage tank is located above the reservoir. According to natural laws, the water heats up and enters the tank. In this case, there is a displacement cold water, it goes down and enters the collector. There it heats up and rises again. The tank of this design can be equipped with only two hoses: for the supply of cold water and removal of hot. Suitable for small summer needs - a summer kitchen or a shower.

Forced

Such a system does not depend on where the collector or storage tank is located. Water circulates in such a system thanks to an additional pump. Due to the fact that the installation of an electric pump is required, the cost of the collector increases. This increases the performance.

Along with flat and vacuum devices, it is possible to create an air solar collector with your own hands. The device is much simpler than water, but the main drawback is significant - it can not transfer all the accumulated heat. Air is a conductor of heat much worse than water.

Selection

It is impossible to say unambiguously which collector should be chosen. Everything will depend on where it will be applied and what level of efficiency is needed in a particular case. But it will help to make a choice of comparing the positive qualities and disadvantages of each species with the following parameters:

Benefits from a solar cell

The advantages of installing a collector are, but in each individual case there will be more or less of them. The main common pluses:

Savings of artificial resources.
The rejection of artificial resources completely. This can be done when it comes to low consumption.
Savings on the purchase of finished equipment, with the possibility of installing the collector by hand from available materials.
Independence from common heating networks. If there is no possibility of connection to the central highway, solar collectors are a good substitute.

If the house is large and there is a sufficient number of people in it, a complete rejection of artificial resources is impossible, but their reduction and saving on this is quite feasible task.