Many people try to save on utility bills, one indicator of which is electricity. But how to do that? To do this, make a solar collector with your own hands. It is enough for six months (in the southern regions for longer). In other situations, heating and lighting from other sources will be required.
The main plus is that everyone can create such a plant with their own hands. At the planning stage, it is worthwhile to understand what exactly needs to be purchased or borrowed from someone. It is not difficult to create a solar collector with your own hands. Sometimes you do not need to spend money, because everything is in the garage or household.
Today there are many companies that have created a number of such projects that are actively working. Because you can not only do something yourself, but also purchase a ready-made installation. Before starting work, it is worth creating a project that will not be costly.
What is the first step?
To create such a design, the most affordable materials are used. But you do not have to compare them with the factory ones. The principle of operation of each installation is the same - a dark surface collects the sun's rays, after which they transfer them to the coolant. The latter performs heating. Having understood this typical principle, it is not difficult to assemble a solar collector with your own hands.
What should be the design?
The installation may not include a pump or any other additional equipment. Otherwise, the costs increase. When there is antifreeze in the unit, then the application is available in the cold season. Such a self-made solar collector will not depend on comprehensible energy and is considered passive.
Acquire electrical appliances is not necessary. Masters believe that the easiest way to use this installation is to heat the water. The principle of operation is a convector. Hot liquid always rises. There are many options for building this unit, it is worth taking the simplest but most effective as a basis.
How does this system work?
A self-made solar collector for heating water acts in this way:
- Due to the flow of sunlight, the heat carrier in the collector is heated.
- After this, the liquid begins its rise through the mounted pipe.
- When the heated stream enters the heat exchanger, heat is transferred.
- Water starts to cool and returns to the place of heating. To do this, put a spiral pipe in the bottom hole of the tank.
- All heated fluid collects at the top of the tank. Therefore, the exit is at the top, and the entry is cold at the bottom.
Thus, a self-made solar collector for heating water works. Understanding the principle of action, it is easier to start work. When there is constant sunlight, the liquid does the following: rises and heats the room. In regions where the sun is intense, everything warms up after a few hours.
A number of features
The absorber is taken as a basis. It is not difficult to make it: a sheet of metal is taken and the same pipes are fixed to it by welding. Before you make a solar collector with your own hands, you need to prepare all the material and arm yourself with instructions. It is worth making vertical and horizontal installations. Pipes for water inlet and outlet are fixed parallel to each other. Further inlet and outlet openings on opposite sides of the entire installation diagonally. For the whole structure to connect, you need to make holes on the horizontal pipes and mount vertical ones to them.
So that they quickly warm up and the coolant begins its work, it will be necessary to fix them as close as possible to the absorber. If there is no experience with the welding machine, then such services cost from 200 rubles per centimeter. The result is an expensive installation. The seam should go around the entire perimeter.
After that, you need to assemble the solar collector with your own hands. Next, you need to make a frame of wood for the absorber, cover with any sheet. Some take glass. This allows you to create a large temperature inside. If the choice is made towards the glass, then its thickness should be at least 3 millimeters. It will be a combination of light weight and quality. If you need to create a do-it-yourself solar collector for heating your home, then the glass needs to be thicker. But at the same time, the whole structure gains more weight, and the cost increases.
Is it possible to do without glass? This will cause heat loss because the sun's rays pass through it unhindered and heat up the main unit. As a result, the created microclimate inside does not change, since there is no access to the heat output. Even with rain that started suddenly, the temperature inside does not drop. After creating such a box, it is worth processing it with antiseptic compounds. In the case itself, you will need to make holes for the pipes. Sometimes not a tree is used, but do not forget that you will have to make holes.
Use any coloring matter, but it is important to understand that under the constant influence of the sun, the paint changes its state. The entire installation is done on the ground so that condensation does not collect and does not spoil the coating. Masters advise using paints that are resistant to fading and the effects of liquids.
Is it worth it to insulate?
Do-it- yourself solar water collector will need to be insulated inside. The simplest materials are mineral wool or polystyrene. But inside the temperature will rise to 150 degrees - the material must withstand this. Bottom creates a bottom from any material. It is necessary to create such conditions under which water will not get inside.
The process of creating a frame and fixing the glass is standard. They make grooves, and from above strengthen with glazing beads. Such a frame made of wood has its own nuances; under the influence of moisture and the sun, it can change its shape, which deforms the glass. It is necessary to make a small margin so that the glass does not burst, and periodically monitor the structure.
To create a vacuum inside, it is necessary to additionally lay a sealant in case the frame size is changed. Well, if it turns out to be inside and out, and already a layer of tin or something like that is being made on it. Sometimes sealant or silicone is used. When more than one glass is used, the joint between them is fixed with a sealant.
Additional tank
If a collector is created to heat the whole house, then you will have to make an additional tank. Heated water will be stored in it. For efficiency, it will have to be well packaged so that heat does not come out. This can be a specially purchased tank or:
- The boiler is out of order.
- Former gas cylinders.
- Food barrels.
- Gas tanks, etc.
Such an installation must withstand internal pressure. This is how a solar collector is created for self-heating. Not all plants can handle this pressure. Masters believe that this issue should be well thought out. It will require at least two openings in it - an entrance for cold water and an outlet for hot water.
If an old boiler is used, then this is convenient, because it already has special inputs. Another tank will have to be equipped using a grinder for cutting holes and welding to solder a pipe. In addition, some installation will have to be done inside. To make the entire unit is not as simple as it seems at first glance. It takes time, money and knowledge, without knowledge of the laws of physics it will not work to create an effective installation.
What comes next?
Inside the tank should be a pipe in the form of a spiral. Since the heat exchanger will be located in water, such a material is suitable - steel, stainless steel, plastic. Polypropylene is in great demand. It is easy to solder, and it serves for a long time. As the heating water rises, it is placed below.
Next, you will have to connect the main installation to the storage tank. This is done using plastic pipes. In this matter, it is important to create conditions under which heat losses will be minimized. For this, shortened pipes and high-quality heat-insulating material are used. There is a lot of it on the market, so there will be no problems with the choice.
Another important element is the expansion tank. It has to be mounted at the extreme top point where the fluid passes. Any capacity is taken - you can take an old plastic container or a metal one. This expansion tank is mounted so that the pipe does not break, since heating will cause a strong expansion of the coolant.
Important
Before you make a solar collector with your own hands, you need to understand that the main task is to get heat and keep it. Each element is subjected to high-quality thermal insulation. An expansion tank is no exception, and it also helps to remove air from the entire system. In addition, water from it enters the collector itself.
Many masters believe that to understand the effectiveness of work, you can install a thermometer at the input and output. After creating the entire installation, it will need to be correctly positioned on the territory of the housing or adjacent to it. This is not so simple, because it turns out a large, albeit not heavy construction.
Where to place the collector?
The best is southbound. It is important that the entire unit does not fall into the shade of plants or buildings. Sometimes it is mounted on the roof, but the tank should be higher than it. This is difficult to organize, so the structure is installed on the ground. It is important to correctly create the angle of inclination, so that the efficiency is observed in the winter.
For the southern territory, the tilt angle is up to 60 degrees in the autumn and spring (and in the summer - up to 30).
Operational Features
If the solar battery has been installed and works efficiently, this does not mean that you should forget about it. It requires maintenance. Because otherwise the design may malfunction. What you should pay attention to:
- It is necessary to check the amount of fluid for circulation. Do not forget about the expansion tank.
- In order for the sun to heat the battery efficiently, you will have to periodically wipe the protective glass.
- Since the installation is on the street in the rain and wind, you will have to check the thermal insulation. It is important that moisture does not enter it.
- No water leakage should occur through pipes and fixation points. If the slightest leak is detected, it is worthwhile to additionally seal the system.
- The tank should always be with water. It is unacceptable that there is little fluid in the system.
Conclusion
To create a solar air collector with your own hands or a water one will not be difficult. You just need to cook all the components, choose the time and start work.