An Introduction
In previous generations, Summers in Ireland were long, hot and dry and you’d be able to produce gallons of hot water via the traditional solar tubes or flat panels. Now, our Summer’s are cooler, cloudier and just not bright to produce hot water every day from traditional solar and you might just have to turn on the oil boiler or use the immersion instead.
However, there is now a tried & tested solution…THERMODYNAMIC SOLAR
Thermodynamic Solar is a gas based system, much like a heat pump but on a smaller scale.
The beauty of Thermodynamic Solar is that it works 24 hours a day – day or night, rain or shine – so you have hot water every time you turn on the tap !
The Basics
In its most basic form, the system works as follows :
1. An environmentally friendly refrigerant passes through the 2m wide by 0.8m high solar panel at a temperature of -20ºC.
2. This extremely cold refrigerant begins to rise in temperature (to between 10ºC and 60ºC) as it starts to be heated by the surrounding warmer air temperature.
3. The now hotter refrigerant passes back through the compressor, which is either attached to the cylinder or through the Solar Box, where its temperature is increased further.
4. Finally, the now very hot refrigerant passes through the heat exchanger / coil in the hot water cylinder raising the temperature of the water to a constant 52-55ºC.
The Eco Box
If your house has a small ‘hot press’ with a traditional copper cylinder, then the standard thermodynamic cylinder with compressor (as seen above) may not fit. As an alternative, you can fit a standard stainless steel cylinder and a separate Energie ‘Solar Box’.
The ‘Eco Box’, which contains the compressor and heat exchanger can be sited above the cylinder or in the attic, saving space in the press.
As with the standard thermodynamic solar system, water temperatures in the Solar Box are guaranteed at 52-55°C every day
In its most basic form, the system works as follows :
1. An environmentally friendly refrigerant passes through the 2m wide by 0.8m high solar panel at a temperature of -20ºC.
2. This extremely cold refrigerant begins to rise in temperature as it starts to be heated by the surrounding warmer air temperature.
3. The now hotter refrigerant passes back through the compressor, where it is super-heated.
4. Finally, this now very hot refrigerant passes through the heat exchanger / coil in the hot water cylinder raising the temperature of the water to a constant 52-55ºC.
The Systems
Energie Solar Box
1 panel – suitable for up to 300ltrs / 6 people
2 panel – suitable for up to 500ltrs
Energie Cylinders
1 panel – 250ltr cylinder with 1 extra coil (for oil OR solid fuel)
1 panel – 300ltr cylinder with 1 extra coil (for oil OR solid fuel)
2 panels – 300ltr cylinder with 1 extra coil (for oil OR solid fuel)
2 panels – 500ltr cylinder with 1 extra coil (for oil OR solid fuel)
Technical Specifications
Energie Solar Panel
Construction : Aluminium
Width : 2000mm
Height : 800mm
Weight : 8kg
Heat Transfer Agent : R134a refrigerant gas
Energie Solar Cylinder
Construction : Stainless Steel
Volume of cylinders : 250ltr, 300ltr or 450ltr
Height : 1530mm (250ltr)
Height : 1750mm (300ltr
Width : 880mm (with compressor attached)
Coil(s) : Max 1 extra coil for oil OR solid fuel
