22
INSTALLER
10 .2 Installation
b
Solar collectors must be installed with the correct
mounting kit (which includes all necessary rails and
brackets) as listed in the Catalogue.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Protective film
A protective film is applied to the glass of the solar collector to
protect the absorber against solar irradiation and prevent the
solar collector from becoming too hot if it is not going to be put
into service immediately.
Fill the system, but do not remove
the film until you are ready to put the system into service.
Take care when removing the film as it may be electrostatically
charged. Do not leave the protective film in place for longer
than 12 months. Once removed, the protective film cannot
be re-used. Dispose of the protective film in compliance with
legislation governing the disposal of PVC.
Assembly
The system must be installed by specialist personnel. Use
only the assembly material supplied with the solar collector.
The supporting framework and all masonry or brickwork fixing
points must be checked by a person expert in static loading,
and must be suitable for the nature of the installation site.
Static load
The solar collector must only be installed on roofs or frames
that are strong enough to support its weight. The strength of
the roof or frame must be verified on site by a person expert in
static loading before the solar collector is installed. During this
process, it is important to verify the suitability of the supporting
frame to hold the screw fasteners that fix the solar collector in
place. An expert in static loading must verify that the entire frame
complies with relevant standards, especially in areas liable to
snow and areas exposed to high winds. Conditions (gusts of
wind, formation of wind vortices, etc.) at the point where the
solar collector is to be installed must be carefully considered
since these can increase the loads on the supporting structure.
Lightning protection
The metal piping of the solar heating circuit must be connected
to the main potential compensation bar by a (yellow-green)
copper wire (H07 V-U or R) of at least 16 mm
2
. If a lightning
conductor system is already installed, the solar collectors may
be connected to the existing system. Alternatively, the solar
collector piping may be connected to ground via a ground
wire sunk into the earth. Ground wires must be sunk outside
the house. The ground wire must be connected to the potential
compensation bar through a wire of the same diameter.
Water connections
The solar collectors must be connected in series using the
fittings and seal rings provided. If flexible hoses are not used
to connect up the ends of solar collector lines, we recommend
that you fit devices in the connecting pipes to permit thermal
expansion (U-type expansion joints, sections of flexible hose
or dedicated expansion joints). Provided adequate expansion
joints are used, up to 6 solar collectors may be connected in
series. Make sure that the seal rings are correctly positioned
in their seats. When tightening a fitting with a pipe wrench or
spanner, always hold the opposite fitting steady with a second
tool to avoid damaging the absorber.
b
All pipes in the water circuit must be insulated in
conformity to relevant standards. Lagging and insulation
must be protected against damage by the weather and
birds and animals.
Angle of collectors / General
Solar collectors are designed to be installed at angles of
between 15° (minimum) and 75° (maximum). Make sure that the
bleed and vent valves of the collectors remain open while the
collectors are being installed. Take care to protect all fittings,
connections, bleed and vent valves against dirt and dust etc.
In installations which serve primarily to produce domestic hot
water in the summer, install the collectors facing from east to
west at an angle of between 20 and 60°. The ideal orientation
is southwards, at an angle equal to the latitude of the location
minus 10°. If the system sustains the greatest thermal load
in the winter (as in systems that combine domestic hot water
production with central heating), install the collectors facing
south (or south-east or south-west) at an angle greater than 35°.
The ideal orientation is southwards, at an angle equal to the
latitude of the location plus 10°.
b
The collectors must be installed at a safe distance from
live electrical power lines and electrical systems in
accordance with the laws and regulations in force in the
country of installation. In the absence of specific standards,
the minimum distance that must be maintained between
the installation and the nearest point to which power
lines approach when blown by the wind and sagging in
warm climatic conditions is: 3 m for rated voltages of 1
kV; 3.5 m for rated voltages between 1 and 30 kV; 5 m
for rated voltages between 30 and 132 kV; 7 m for rated
voltages >132 kV and for unknown voltages. All non-
electrical installation work that has to be performed near
live and unprotected electrical power lines when there is
any possibility of contact with them must be carried out
in conformity to the laws and regulations in force in the
country of installation.
WARNING! Contact with open,
live electrical wires may lead to electrocution and may
even be fatal.
b
Always wear safety goggles when drilling. Always wear
safety shoes, cut-proof protective gloves and a safety
helmet when performing installation work.
b
Before beginning installation work on roofs, install the
necessary fall prevention and fall arrest devices and
ensure that all applicable safety standards are applied.
Use only tools and materials that conform to the safety
standards that are applicable in the place of work.
b
Only wear overalls that have a safety harness (with a
suitable safety or fall-arrest belt, ropes or slings, fall
dampers or dissipaters). In the absence of adequate fall
prevention and security devices, failure to use a proper
safety harness may lead to falls from great heights with
serious or even fatal consequences.
b
The use of ladders leaned against walls can lead to
serious falls if the ladder slips, slides of falls. When
using ladders, always ensure that they are stable, and
that suitable ladder stops are present. If possible secure
the ladder with hooks. Make sure that there are no live
electrical wires near the ladder.
b
Ventilation holes in the collectors allow the air inside to
circulate, expand and contract freely during heating and
cooling cycles. Condensation can form on the inside
of the glass as a result of cooling overnight or even
under conditions of high humidity during the day. This
phenomenon is normal and must not be considered
a defect. This condensation has no impact on the
collector’s thermal efficiency as it dissipates when the
collector warms up in the day.
