4.4 Collector orientation
The solar collector should face true south in order to have as much solar energy
falling on it as possible, during a day.
In many cases, a slight westerly orientation is preferable to true south, in order
to take advantage of the afternoon’s higher outdoor temperatures, which leads to
better collector performance.
Divergence of up to 20
o
from southern orientation creates a very small reduction
of the amount of solar irradiation on the collector plane. For greater divergence of
up to 45
0
, the reduction is in the order of 15% during winter months and relatively
small (approximately 5%) during summer months.
4.5 Site
You must select the site where you will install the solar water heater so that:
• the collector is not shaded by trees, buildings or other solar systems,
because their shadow during the period 09:30 to 15:30 will reduce the
performance of the solar water heater (small shadows early and late in the
day make no difference in it)
• it is possible to install and fasten the solar heater in a reliable way on the
flat roof of the building.
• the distance between the solar water heater and the point of consumption
of hot water (bathroom, kitchen) is the shortest possible.
• the installation is made by occupying space on the roof wisely, allowing the
installation of more solar systems.
4.6 Assembly of the mounting frame
The successive steps to be followed for the assembly of the mounting frame are
shown in the Figures 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5 and 4.6.
The mounting frame has to be moved to its final location. Its fastening to the floor
of the roof will take place at a later stage (see paragraph 4.11).
