After 25 years of installing solar thermal panels, we have come to the
unfortunate conclusion that they all suck. We have had out of the box
failures on all panels we have used... and we are a very, very, very small
company. We pressurize our solar thermal systems to 60-80 psi and let them
sit for 3 days. If they hold that pressure... like a ROCK, we complete the
install. What we find, as often as not, is some little piddly leak somewhere
in the loop. Micro holes are not an uncommon encounter in panels. So, we then
have to wrestle the solar thermal manufacturer into first believing their
"infallible" product is leaking , "out of the box" and then pay, out of OUR
pocket the substantial labor costs for its replacement. So far as I can tell,
all solar thermal manufacturers warranty their panels for 10 years. But, they
only cover $100.oo in labor costs to replace a defective product. This does
not begin to cover our labor costs.
Consequently, I have started down the road, (without success so far) of
demanding solar thermal manufactures to stand behind their products with a 5
year $500.00 Labor warranty. I have talked to a ton of solar thermal
manufacturers and they all say the same thing. "Our panels are the
best. Our failure rate is less then 2%. We warranty them for 10 years, but
we only pay $100.00 labor to replace those that are defective out of the box."
I can't even get the evacuated tube guys to stand behind their product with a
decent labor warranty!
Perhaps if more than one solar Bozo stands up and says, "Enough, we want a
panel with a 5 year $500.00 labor warranty". A manufacturer might see the
competitive edge of being the first to do so.
Sincerely,
Andrew Koyaanisqatsi
President
Solar Energy Solutions, Inc.
Since 1987,
Moving Portland and Beyond
to an Environmentally Sustainable Future.
503-238-4502
www.solarenergyoregon.com
"Better one's House too little one day
than too big all the Year after."
From: August Goers <aug...@luminalt.com>
To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2011 7:19 AM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Stiebel Eltron SHW Collector condensation issue
Hi David -
Doesn't sound fun. We experienced a similar problem with a 10-collector system
with Schuco Slim-Vs about 3 years ago. The collectors had lots of condensation
build up in them, especially during the rainy season. Schuco stepped up and
gave us new 2nd generation collectors under warranty. The new collectors do not
have the condensation problem. Apparently they redesigned the ventilation
method. Generally speaking I like the Schuco product although now we're
noticing a browning effect occurring near the in inlet and outlet pipes on the
absorber plate on Slim Vs installed a few years ago. I have yet to deal with
this issue.
It sounds like Stiebel is still working out their design. You'll probably want
to make sure that they have it fully figured out before replacing the old
collectors under warranty otherwise you might have the same problem!
Good luck with it.
Best, August
From:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Dave Palumbo
Sent: Monday, June 20, 2011 12:58 PM
To: 'RE-wrenches'
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Stiebel Eltron SHW Collector condensation issue
SHW Wrenches,
Our first experience with SHW flat plate collectors with a condensation issue
on the inside of the collectors’ glass cover. The system has two Stiebel Eltron
Sol 25 collectors (88” x 48” each) with a 82 gallon single heat exchanger
insulated tank in the basement of the home, with a SOM 6 solar loop controller.
System installed fall of 2008.
Condensation problem was first noticed by homeowner late last December. The
collectors’ manufacturer, Stiebel Eltron, instructed us to watch and see if the
problem resolved on its own. It did not. Stiebel then instructed us to drill
small holes through the sides of the collectors near the top for venting and
more holes through the sides near the bottom for draining the collector (see
attached pdf for Stiebel’s venting advice). We did that in early May of this
year. The homeowner called us back with the same condensation issue.
Stiebel then sent a bag of plastic insert venting plugs that required us to
drill out larger holes in the side of the collectors and pop these vent plugs
in. Plugs appear to be an attempt at making more venting area while trying to
keep the rain out. After we installed these plugs we still have the same issue,
homeowner still sees condensation and poor performance from the SHW system.
The homeowner is now asking for new collectors under warranty. Have others
experienced a similar SHW collector problem? And have collector manufacturers
stepped up with new collectors?
Thanks,
David Palumbo
Independent Power LLC
462 Solar Way Drive
Hyde Park, VT 05655
www.independentpowerllc.com
NABCEP Certified PV Installer
Vermont Solar Partner
23 Years Experience, (802) 888-7194
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