Solar Hot Water Heating Class
PREREQUISITES:
TEXTBOOK:
Solar Design Catalog by AAA
Solar Supply
COURSE MATERIALS:
Specially prepared course
notes will be given at the time of course
CERTIFICATION:
After completion of the
course, individuals will a do a 2 hour qualification exam. This is a preparation for taking a national certification exam which will be available in 2003.
WHAT
TO BRING TO CLASS:
Volt meter
Scientific calculator
Your plumbing tool kit
Optional: notebook computer
DAY
1
Morning
Introduction.
Solar Power Overview: (1 hr.)
Introduction
to different types of solar energy systems.
Various
types of solar thermal systems descriptions
Path
of sun
Finding
solar noon
What
is full sun
How
much full sun is received?
Best
location for solar collectors
Shading
issues. Using Solar Pathfinder
Effects
of off south installation
Collector
tilt angles
Understanding
thermal units
Afternoon
System sizing (1.5 hr.)
Sizing
a solar HW system for certain HW usage
Understanding
collector specifications and listing
NREL
data bases for estimating system performance
Work
on computers--- learning how to make calculations with spreadsheet.
System design (2.5 hr.)
The
closed-loop system is best for climates with freeze-thaw cycles!
Thermomax
system
The
Thermodynamics LTD system
The
Solahart system
System
components
Collector
mounting schemes
Heat
exchangers size Hx for number of collectors
Storage
tanks size tank for number of collectors
Pump
sizing
Function
of various valves and gages
Antifreeze
Controllers
Types
of pipe to use
Pipe
routing
DAY 2
Morning
Building Codes and Zoning Laws (1 hr.)
Applying
for building permits
Working
with local code inspectors
Working
with Architecture and historical boards
Close-loop fill assembly (2
hr)
We’ll
make up fill assembly which has hose bibbs, bypass valve, check valve, pressure/temp
gage, expansion tank, pump, air vent, pressure relief valve. We will work in
groups of 3 or 4, each group making their own assembly. The art of soldering
will be addressed as needed. This will give everyone a good understanding of
the basic parts of the closed-loop plumbing. A couple of types of heat
exchangers and collectors will be on hand to study. Demos: Thermomax tube,
innards of flat-plate fin tube collector, Sunmaster tube, Hotrod heat
exchanger, Spirex heat exchanger.
Afternoon
Plumbing and Heating Code (1 hr.)
We will recruit union plumber/trainer to
give us the run down on code issues. A few electrical code issues will also be
covered.
Mechanical considerations for mounting
panels. (1 hr.)
Wind
loading calculation
Evaluating
integrity of roof due to weight of panels and wind loading.
Mounting
of PV panels on roof rack mounts,
dealing
with steel and aluminum issues
Safety issues (1
hr.)
Working
on roofs, OSHA Requirements/Guidelines
Ladder,
scaffold safety
Other
safety issues
Selling Solar Power (1 hr.)
Good business practices
Solar Hot Water Economics
Sales techniques
Aesthetics
issues
DAY 3
Build solar HW system
Review
Typical flow of process to put up a
residential
system from beginning to end.
Questions and answers.
Exam: Proctored, open-book, 2 hr limit