Installation of Rehau SOLECT thermal solar panels on Amadeo's roof

20 November 2008 - Comments (0)

Construction

As Amadeo's roof has been completed, we were able to proceed with the installation of the solar collectors. All 12 solar panels have been installed on the south side of Amadeo's roof. Rehau certified installer, Kombo, did the work. Only remain to connect the panels to the central water cylinders as indoor installation progresses.

Installation of the supportive anchors

The positioning of the solar collectors was coordinated during the installation of the roof between Kombo and COPA. The supportive anchors of the panels are screwed in the supportive wood of the roof. Octava tiles cover them for perfect waterproofing.

Supportive anchors of the profiles positionned on the roof.

Detail of one supportive anchor for the profile of the solar panels.

Installation of the supportive profiles

Specially made profiles are fastened on the supportive anchors, for the support of the solar collectors. At the top and the bottom of the vertical profiles, 2 horizontal rails are attached on which the collectors will be positionned.

Supportive profiles of the solar collectors being positionned on the roof.

Because of a chimney for the exaust of several ventilation channels, we splitted the panels in two sets, 5 of the left of the chimney and 7 on the right part.

Supportive profiles of the solar collectors on the left part of the roof.

Supportive profiles of the solar collectors on the right part of the roof.

Installation of the solar panels

One Rehau SOLECT collector is 2m high and 1.18m wide for a weight of about 45kg. It can be handled be 2 persons, although bringing it up the roof is more delicate. The gross surface of one panel is 2.36m² for a net useful surface of 2,14m².

Bringing up one solar collector.

The panels are fitted in between the top and bottom horizontal rails. Once in place they are fastened on the rails.

Sliding in one solar panel in between the 2 horizontal supportive rails.

Fastening one solar collector on the top supportive rail.

Amadeo has 12 Rehau SOLECT collectors that occupy most of the southern part of the roof. The total useful net surface is 25.7m². This installation will be later connected to 2 central cylinders with a total capacity of 1000 liters.

All 12 solar collectors installed on the roof of Amadeo.

Connection of the solar panels

The solar collectors are connected in 2 independent groups of 6. It means that cold water enters on one side of one group and circulates successively from one panel to the next in the group of 6 while being heated up by the sun. The warmer water will then exit on the last panel of the group to circulate back to the water cylinder.

Mounting of the solar collectors in 2 groups of 6, connected to one another.

Because of the chimney, the group of 6 panels on the left has one panel that is a bit further. Inside one group, panels have been connected to one another.

Connection between solar collectors for one group of 6.

Detail of a connection between solar collectors.

It remains to make the connection at the begining and end of the 2 group of 6 panels to the water cylinders once installed.

The right group of solar collectors with 6 panels in serie.

Detail of a connection for one collector at the end of one group of 6.

We will soon have to cover the panels has they could get damaged if left exposed to the sun for long without circulating water.